Let's make things green
Developing a community communication system that encourages groups and individuals to walk around their neighbourhoods or urban spaces and identify areas that are not being used. For example, there may be a vacant lot or an unused parking lot, or abandoned places/structures. The app acts as a social platform to share ideas on how to convert the unused land into a community garden, veggie patch, park, mini-forest or another type of urban green space. It allows people to go outside and really observe their surroundings, see what is there, what needs to be replaced or developed that can positively impact the environment the community is living in - how it will be able to bring people together, what type of green spaces will benefit the area. This Digital space displays maps and people can add marks to spots where they think is abandoned/good spot for greenery.
Including putting posters up on community bulletin boards - local libraries, grocery stores, post offices, local parks, cafes and shopping centres and set up QR code to the recipe/app/social media, each poster will have different QR codes based on where they live as it will take them to their particular maps and the app which gives them the ability to create marks of a potential green space - which then notifies their community who also has access to the app.
This encourages people to take a walk outside, find the board, use QR code, and follow hashtags for social media. Putting it on social media can encourage other people to find this board as-well or download the app and add their ideas to it - find vacant places
Research displays the importance of nature and greenspaces in our everyday lives. It depicts that natural spaces aids in tackling urban environmental challenges, that includes stormwater management, pollution reduction and climate resiliency. It also supports human well-being by reducing stress and gives opportunity for social connections.
Turning vacant urban land green significantly reduces feelings of depression and improves overall mental health for the surrounding residents. The findings have implications for cities where 15 percent of land is deemed “vacant” and often blighted or filled with trash and overgrown vegetation. “Greening vacant land is a highly inexpensive and scalable way to improve cities and enhance people’s health.” says senior author Charles C. Branas et al.
By Alysza Mae Natividad