Parks, Greenways, and Open Space

Parks, greenways, and open space make up the most prominent features of urban greenspace. Although the creation, conservation, and protection of urban greenspace has a long history in urban development, parks, greenways, and open space are becoming an increasingly important aspect of building sustainable cities. If used individually, parks, greenways, and open space would have an important effect on greening the urban landscape, but when these elements are effectively integrated, they can have great effects on a city's environmental integrity and economic stability, as well as have great benefits for nonhuman systems.

Broadly defined, open space is any undeveloped land that remains in either a natural state, such as a wetland or forested hillside, or is in agricultural land use. Because it is one of any ...