The Necessity of Urban Green Space for Children’s Optimal Development

A discussion paper

A father wraps his arm around his daughter, Paraguay
UNICEF/UN0312703/Sokol

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Green spaces can significantly benefit children’s physical, mental and social development - from infancy into adulthood. This paper outlines the many benefits of green spaces on children's health and development, as well as actions to improve access to green spaces. Recommended interventions focus on empowering communities to claim and maintain their local green spaces, securing government support to improve and create green space in cities, and prioritizing schools and child care centres for greening.

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