Why develop pocket green parks?
Pocket green park development has 3 advantages for local governments.
What are Pocket Green Parks?
Borrowing Allison Blake’s definition of pocket parks, I describe pocket green parks as
Pocket green parks are small scale urban open and green spaces in our neighborhoods. usually only a few house lots in size or smaller.
3 Advantages of Pocket Green Parks
Pocket green park development has 3 advantages for local governments.
Pocket green parks weaken the friction of distance.
- In mobility we identify one enemy of movement: DISTANCE!
- All things being equal, the farther away a destination, the less likely our interaction with it.
- Distance restrains our movement: often referred to as “friction of distance.”
- An often-cited study of Metro Manila estimates that nearly 35% of destinations are within a 15-minute walk or bicycle trip (also cited in this ADB Working Paper). Yet, most of these trips are still made using jeepneys and tricycles.
- A 2017 study estimated that Metro Manila people are willing to walk up to 500 meters. However, these figures may be for work purposes, which can be a more purposeful activity than going to the park.
- Lower walking threshold may be given for leisure activities.
- With pocket parks near our homes and activity centers (offices, schools), the more we will be able to use them.
- Barangays also satisfy the New York City Standards of having 100% of residents within a 5-min walking distance of green space.
Pocket green parks increase the frequency of exposure to greens.
- Just 20 minutes in an urban park can improve life satisfaction.
- A 2019 study in Denmark found that citizens with the least green space nearby their residence had as much as 55% increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders.
- With the pressures of the pandemic, working from home, and bills to pay, Filipinos need all ways to decrease the risk of mental health illnesses.
- Green spaces can enhance our daily perspectives on life as we go through this tragic pandemic.
Pocket green parks mean quicker wins because of less red tape.
- Pocket green parks can be barangay projects, only the barangay is involved in planning
- One of the biggest obstacles in open space and green space development is land use conflict.
- Barangay projects can shift from covered basketball courts to small urban gardens and pocket parks, which can be multi-purpose and cater more age groups.
My experience in local government planning…
What do you think of the pocket green park strategy?
Developing Pocket Green Parks in the Philippines