UN-Habitat official: Green spaces, alternative energy systems improve quality of life

Green spaces and alternative energy systems improve quality of life.

Report informs that Ombretta Tempra, head of the Land, Housing and Shelter Section at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and lead specialist on housing provision, said this at the "Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All: Intersessional Meeting on Housing Resilience and Sustainability," held as part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

According to her, they pose a larger-scale threat to sustainable urbanization, housing provision and, in general, people"s lives and livelihoods: "Still, when talking about the impacts of the natural environment on housing systems, we see that a number of measures can reduce this impact. These include disaster-resilient construction, backup energy and water systems, security of tenure, risk-based land-use planning and nature-based solutions. Safety and habitability can be strengthened through passive cooling, clean cooking technology and improved ventilation, among other factors."

She noted that, in addition, a healthy natural environment actively supports adequate housing provision: "Vegetation and biodiversity around homes improve physical and mental health. Green spaces strengthen social harmony, while rainwater harvesting and rooftop solar panels increase water and energy security. More broadly, reconnecting the built environment with the natural environment strengthens residents" sense of place and cultural identity, while also addressing housing and environmental challenges."