Urban green spaces found to cool cities and cut noise

Two studies conducted in Guildford, Surrey, indicate that green spaces lower temperatures, dampen noise and reduce air pollution in urban areas. The first study found that the cooling effect weakens with every 100 metres of distance from a park's edge, using Stoke Park, which covers 52 hectares, as a reference. Larger green areas such as woodlands recorded the smallest temperature rise during extreme heat. Experts say the finer-grained findings could help researchers, planners and engineers design urban green spaces for climate protection.