Role of urban green spaces/areas in the management of environmental issues in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State

Abstract

Urban green space refers to any integrated area comprising natural, semi natural or artificial green land, providing manifold benefits to different groups of people within an area, city or community. It serves as an environmental safeguard policing the negative impacts of climate change as well as recreational purposes. Studies have identified the benefits of engaging in recreational activities to include: promotion of healthy living, encouragement of social interaction, increased productivity, prevention of crimes and anti-social behaviours and enhancement of the economic base of the society, among others. Urban green spaces/areas are strategic to the quality of life in cities and thus should be an important element in urban planning. Consequently, this paper examined the role of urban green spaces in the management of environmental issues in Ibadan metropolis. Four green spaces/areas (University of Ibadan Botanical Gardens, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Agodi Gardens and Park and Ibadan Recreation Club) served as the study locations while the study population was  randomly selected in the study locations. Method of data collection was in-depth interviews. The study revealed the following: (i) one of the major difficulties of establishing green spaces in Ibadan is lack of information on its benefits, (ii) green spaces can serve as a peacebuilding instrument, (iii) there is a strong link between insufficient green areas in Ibadan metropolis and floods that consistently ravage the city.

Keywords: Urban green spaces, Environmental issues