By Caroline Zuba
Today’s megacities have a lot to offer to residents. Not only are they attractive commercial centers, they offer an abundance of resources ranging from schools, doctors, non-profits. In megacities known for their high-pressure lifestyles, mental health is often overlooked. In growing cities like Tokyo, suicide rates are high, and mental health in general is low.
Other cities are actively thinking of investing in green designs, for reasons that are really important in high-stress societies. #bcsfh2o https://t.co/1Fd6GeJqp8
— Caroline Zuba (@zcscience) November 8, 2017
An often overlooked “solution,” or at the very least a potential help, is green infrastructure. Helpful in climate change work and water management control, it is easy to dismiss green infrastructure as useful for nothing more. However, this recent study shows that green infrastructure improves the general quality of life and may be helping improve mental health in residents. Accessibility to nature is often an issue for those in economies that do not prize either mental health, greenery, or down-time, and so the city must become responsible. In this case, Tokyo is stepping up to the plate to fight stigma and aid its community.
In addition to helping with mental health, investment into green design in megacities is actually cost-effective. #bcsfh2o https://t.co/HsN5Q3Ehwe
— Caroline Zuba (@zcscience) November 8, 2017
Green infrastructure, as mentioned before, is also useful in water control and climate change work. Trees are an exceptionally cheap way to help a city. Not only is mental health being addressed, the payoff is $505 million in decreased air pollution, improved stormwater remediation, savings in heating/cooling costs, and CO2 sequestration.
