FEATURE ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
Mapping open spaces in cities
Open spaces in cities are more than just parks—they are essential for public health, safety, and ecology. Mumbai’s open spaces have been underreported and encroached upon, despite efforts to map and protect them. Urban planner PK Das calls for a radical rethinking of open space planning, emphasizing their role in preventing urban flooding, improving air quality, and fostering community. The fight to preserve and democratize these spaces is crucial for a sustainable and livable city. Curious about the future of Mumbai's open spaces? Read on!
The loss of open spaces on the ground level and consequent depletion in tree cover is likely to have devastating impact on flooding during intense rain events which studies have indicated a rise in the coming decades, depletion of groundwater table which could lead to soil changes, loss of natural ecology and biodiversity, rise in overall ambient temperature, and an exponential increase in building density in an already super-dense city.
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