Urban forests provide a range of advantages, from reducing energy consumption to enhancing the beauty of a city. In Durham, North Carolina, there are several green spaces and nature preserves that offer locals the opportunity to appreciate the outdoors. From Cornwallis Road Park to American Village Park, there are plenty of places to explore and enjoy nature. The Homeowners Loan Corporation (HOLC) created loan maps of major U.
S. cities during the post-Great Depression era. These maps were used by the Department of State to rate neighborhoods on a scale from “first grade” to “dangerous”. In today's world, where people are increasingly disconnected from nature due to what some call “natural deficit disorder”, having access to green spaces is more important than ever.
Durham has a variety of parks and open green spaces for residents to enjoy. Bay-Hargrove Park, Wood Park, Herndon Park, and Birchwood Park are just a few of the many parks in the area. Additionally, there are free concerts on Fridays in Durham Central Park and American Tobacco concerts on the grass during the summer months. Ideally, more parks and open green spaces would be established in cities like Durham.
However, given how expensive land can be in big cities, it may be possible to incorporate green space into existing buildings in a way that everyone can benefit from. For instance, community rooftop gardens or vertical gardens could be created. It is essential to consider how access to trees and green space affects residents of Durham's neighborhoods. What do they think about their access to these resources? Do they feel that they have enough access or do they feel that more should be done? These are important questions that should be explored further.
