B Y : N O A H R E M M E R T

Urban Green Space

Imagine for a

moment… a world

of concrete

In 2008, the world reached a milstone: Half of the world’s

Population now lives in urban areas. 50 years ago it was 30%..

A century ago it was 10%. (Anthropocene Journal)

By 2015, it is expected that there will be 23 cities with a population over 10 million people. (UN)

In Bangladesh, Population density is higher than anywhere in

the world, Topping out at 1,229 people per square Kilometer.

(Bartholomew Maps)

The Population of Austin Is about 842,000 people, and rising

at the most rapid rate in the United States. (World Population Statistics)

Along with the rising population, comes the increase in

Condominiums, high rises, and other urban housing.

What is it that makes Austin great?

The Music?

The food?

“The reason people love Austin is all of

the parks and trails, so we really need

to focus on where the next Zilker park

will be, how do we get those things built

today, that we are going to need

tomorrow?” (Colin Wallis: Austin Parks

Foundation Executive Director.)

Without these Urban Green Spaces, issues like obesity,

Crime rates, and quality of life become larger problems

In society. (Project Evergreen) (Stromberg)

“The Austin Parks Foundation takes care of over 300 parks and trails within

Austin Proper…” (Sara Marler: Austin Parks foundation Volunteer)

But sometimes, it’s not always enough…

“I think we do really well with the amount of green space that we have right now, but we don’t do a very good job of taking care of it.” (Wallis)

“Each individual can help by caring, and that’s a big issue.” (Marler)

“The only way we are ever going to actually keep green spaces nice, is if people really take ownership of their own spaces. To make sure that their own neighborhood park is taken care of, because expecting that someone else is going to do it is never the answer.” (Marler)

“With urban areas increasing, the short answer would be that the amount of green space we have is sufficient for now, but we should always be thinking 5-10 years ahead, and we need to be actively trying to help the city acquire green space.” (Wallis)

“The way for us to be truly effective, is for each individual to takeOwnership of their own community.” (Marler)

Be a steward of your

local urban green spaces

and parks.

In an increasingly urban

world, help save what

really makes

Our city, our Country, and

our planet great.

Works Cited

“Austin Population 2013”. World Population Statistics. September 1, 2013. Accessed 2014. <www.worldpopulationstatistics.com/austin-population-2013/>

Bartholomew, Collins. “Population Density”. Bartholomew Maps. 2013 <www.bartholomewmap.com/population_density.html>

“Ten Urbanization Statistics”. The Anthropocene Journal. March 29, 2012. <www.anthropocenejournal.com/2012/03/29/ten-urbanization-statistics/>

Stromberg, Joseph. “Moving to an area with more Green Space can improve your mental health”. Smithsonian.com. January 16, 2014. <www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/>

“Benefits of green space” Project Evergreen. 2013. <www.projectevergreen.org/rescources/environmental-benefits-of-green-space/ >

“Crime and Public Safety”. University of Washington. Green Cities, Good Health. 2010. 2013. <www.depts.washington.edu/hhwb/thm_Crime.html >

“Urbanization: Facts and Figures”. United Nations Centre for Human Settlement. June 6-8, 2001. <www.un.org/ga/Istanbul+5/bg10.htm>

Special Thanks to…

Sara Marler and Colin Wallis of the Austin Parks foundation, for participating in an interview that gave us the valuable information we needed to start this project.

As well as my group members, Lucy Gift, Robert Phillips, Luke Wright, and Emily Robins.