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.
Here are my past projects in local government planning…
What do you think of the pocket green park strategy?
Developing Pocket Green Parks in the Philippines