Sustainable Development Goals Policy Brief Series No. 12

Urban green spaces (UGS) improve health and environmental outcomes for urban residents by providing green areas for recreation and relaxation while supporting pollution control, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and reducing heat retention. This paper analyses UGS as part of the response to COVID-19. It examines citizen perceptions about UGS and how those perceptions have changed during the Pandemic. The paper also examines policies and programmes employed by the Republic of Korea to expand UGS and increase its utility. The paper suggests that UGS can be a cost-effective and nature-friendly response to crises and that the ROK's experiences may have implications and lessons for other countries.