Green Belt

Greenery functions here as a conservation buffer in this green belt in suburban Des Moines, Iowa. Green belts are a popular tool for planners and citizens to foster a higher quality of sustainable city life

Source: Lynn Betts/Natural Resources Conservation Service

Many cities use green belts, or legally protected open space around a city, to create recreational opportunities for residents, preserve agricultural viability, and attempt to contain urban sprawl. Some green belts are held as undeveloped land, such as wetlands, hillsides, or forested lands, whereas others are protected as rural agricultural land. Green belts, although not an unproblematic solution, are an increasingly popular tool for planners, public officials, and citizens working toward fostering a higher quality of life in a more sustainable city. Maintaining open space around ...