Urban Green Coverage and Its Role in Post-COVID-19 Regulations and Recommendations

Having urban green spaces (UGSs) in cities is vital to improve the quality of life (livability) of cities and urban dwellers. This chapter presents the role of UGSs and urban green coverage (UGC) and their benefits, including improving air quality, reducing the heat island effect, increasing biodiversity, and lowering noise levels, as well as providing recreational opportunities and adding an overall aesthetic appeal. The chapter also highlights the importance of urban greening as a crucial element in creating livable and sustainable cities and mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization on the environment and human health and wellbeing. Additionally, the chapter elucidates on the COVID-19 pandemic age, where people and governments recognized the critical role and benefits of the lockdown, despite the shared global environmental challenges like the lack of accessibility to the UGSs and green areas. Moreover, the chapter provides an overview of the trends of bi-correlation between UGSs/UGC and COVID-19. Furthermore, it underlines the impact on the urban regulations and provides suggestions and recommendations to assist in shaping more sustainable, livable, and resilient cities. The chapter also presents some regulations and recommendations for UGSs and UGC. Finally, global patterns of public green spaces are depicted.