Greening cities in the Indo-Pacific region: a review

Many countries in the Indo-Pacific region face increasing rates of urbanisation, with as much as 70% of the world’s population likely to live in cities by 2050. Increasing population growth is currently placing pressure on the green infrastructure of many developed and developing cities as a result of inadequate urban planning and pressing access to nature and natural resources.
There is increasing international evidence which shows that exposure to green environments not only supplements the fresh food demand for the urban dweller but also provides a range of environmental, socio-economic and health benefits.
The objective of the paper is to discuss the benefits of green space in the urban environment and the impact of nature and nature-based activities on the health services that improve the lives and lifestyle of human communities.
The major themes derived from the results were categorised into three: i) the significance of green space and its natural resources, ii) the restorative effects of natural green open space on health and, iii) describe how nature-based programs and activities can work to improve the lives and lifestyle of human communities.
There are also challenges on the implementation of green strategies and infrastructure that need to be addressed in urban and regional planning and how research can best be carried out on green open space which can lead to environmental sustainability in the Indo-Pacific region.

IV International Conference on Landscape and Urban Horticulture

D.E. Aldous

green open space, green infrastructure, urban horticulture, horticulture, nature

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2017.1181.2