Today in our environmental science lecture, we're discussing urban green spaces. Recent studies show that parks in cities can reduce local temperatures by up to 5 degrees Celsius during heatwaves. However, the key factor isn't just the number of trees, but their placement. For instance, shaded pedestrian paths have a greater cooling effect on people than large, open lawns. Additionally, green roofs on buildings can lower energy consumption for air conditioning by 20-30%. Interestingly, community gardens, while smaller, often have higher biodiversity than traditional parks because of the variety of plants grown. So, when designing sustainable cities, we should prioritize connectivity between green areas to allow wildlife movement.
❓ According to the lecture, which factor is most important for the cooling effect of urban green spaces?
