BioRaven: Designing Greener Neighborhoods

*BioRaven Team Presenting their Project in Philadelphia*

Green spaces, such as parks, gardens, and tree-lined streets, play a vital role in urban areas by providing numerous benefits to both the environment and human health. However, as urbanization continues to increase, green spaces are often overlooked in the urban development process, leading to a deficiency of these vital resources in urban areas. The lack of green spaces in urban areas has become a significant problem, leading to a range of negative impacts on the health and well-being of city dwellers, as well as the overall quality of life in urban areas.

One major issue caused by the lack of green spaces in urban areas is the increase in temperature, particularly in the hottest months of the year. Green spaces provide natural shade and can help to cool the air temperature, reducing the "urban heat island" effect, which is when urban areas are significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas. Without sufficient green spaces, urban areas can become uncomfortably hot and contribute to the overall warming of the planet.

Green spaces can also have an educational and social purpose, as they can be used to grow food, provide an alternative source of fresh produce for urban residents, and be used for the spread of ecological education. Without access to these types of spaces, urban residents may become detached or unaware of the ecological and social importance of food production and the presence of native plants.

Finally, green spaces provide a place for people to relax, exercise, and socialize, and they can also improve mental health by providing a sense of connection to nature and tranquility in the midst of a busy, urban environment. Without access to green spaces, urban residents may feel isolated and disconnected from nature, leading to decreased happiness and well-being, with important social implications.

It is crucial that cities begin to prioritize the development and maintenance of green spaces to ensure that all urban residents have access to the many benefits they provide as well as for the residents of the area to develop a deeper ecological awareness.

Meet the Team

Josephine and Omar are 16 and 18 year old students at Lankenau Environmental Science High School in Philadelphia and are determined to make a positive impact in their community.

Josephine is interested in entomology, ecology, and history, and Omar is an aspiring writer. They are both committed to finding innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life in urban areas.

Project conceptualization

While studying at Lankenau Environmental Science High School, Josephine and Omar learned about the importance of green spaces in urban areas and the numerous benefits they provide for both the environment and human health. However, they noticed that schools often do not provide practical knowledge and opportunities for students to get involved in projects that promote the development of green spaces.

Therefore, inspired by the "Design for a Sustainable Future" program at Aula Future, Josephine and Omar decided that the best way to tackle the problem of the lack of green spaces and overall ecological awareness in many communities in the USA would be to start from their own community, Feltonville, in Philadelphia, and reimagine a more environmentally conscious neighborhood. They believed that by starting at the local level, they could make a significant impact and inspire others to take similar actions in their own neighborhoods.

Feltonville is a neighborhood located in the northern part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a predominantly Latino community, with a diverse mix of Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Mexican residents. The neighborhood has a rich cultural history, with a strong tradition of music, art, and food. It is known for its vibrant street festivals, lively music scene, and delicious Latino cuisine. Despite its many strengths, Feltonville has faced challenges in recent years, including high rates of poverty, crime, and drug abuse.

With the goal of improving the quality of life for Feltonville's residents, the Team began their research by focusing on Piccoli Park, a small sports field in Feltonville. They reimagined the park as a place that could provide multiple additional benefits to the community, including community gardens, basketball courts designed with non-permeable cement that absorbs rainwater and prevents runoff, and areas for recreation and relaxation.

BioRaven Team Redesigning Feltonville, Philadelphia.

They imagined the introduction of community gardens in the area to improve human health by providing access to fresh, healthy produce and to promote ecological awareness by encouraging the local cultivation of food.

The team also learned about the many benefits of landscaping in urban areas not only as a means to beautify existing green spaces but to also support local species of animals. In their efforts to increase green spaces in urban areas, Josephine and Omar also explored the potential for redesigning traditionally developed infrastructures, such as streets and parking lots. One strategy they considered was the addition of medians to the streets. Medians can not only help to lower temperatures in urban areas, but also provide an opportunity for plants and trees to thrive. Another strategy is to redesign parking lots to include more green spaces, such as incorporating landscaping elements into the design.

The introduction of food forests, or areas where edible plants are cultivated, can also have a positive impact on the well-being of a community. Food forests provide a source of fresh, healthy produce for community members, which can improve nutrition and overall health, especially in communities impacted by the lack of infrastructure for the delivery of healthy food, or “food deserts”. Additionally, the cultivation of food in a community can foster a sense of connection and collaboration among neighbors, as people come together to tend to the gardens and share in the harvest.

The team was inspired by these ideas and began to explore ways to incorporate them into their redesign of Feltonville. They recognized that there are many opportunities to increase the number of green spaces in urban areas and to create a more sustainable and liveable environment for all.

Aerial view of Beacon Food Forest in Seattle, Washington

BioRaven - Green Spaces in Urban Areas

Empowered by their research and by their goal of redesigning urban areas to include more green spaces and develop a deeper ecological awareness throughout the community, they re-drawn Feltonville as a greener neighborhood with community gardens, food forests, medians, and greener spaces through the neighborhood.

Their vision for the project does not stop there though. They hope to take their idea further and bring it to other communities in Philadelphia, and eventually to other parts of the country. Their goal is to inspire others to take similar actions in their own neighborhoods, helping to create a network of more sustainable and liveable communities. By sharing their knowledge and experience, they hope to empower others to take an active role in creating a more sustainable future.

For this reason, Josephine and Omar founded BioRaven, a non-profit organization with the mission of promoting the development and maintenance of green spaces in urban areas.

BioRaven works to educate communities about the benefits of green spaces and to provide resources and support for individuals and groups looking to create or improve green spaces in their neighborhoods. To reach their goal, BioRaven will take a number of actions, including conducting research to identify the most effective strategies for increasing green spaces in urban areas, partnering with local organizations and governments to bring about change, and providing resources and support to individuals and groups working to create or improve green spaces in their communities.

By taking a comprehensive approach, BioRaven hopes to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of urban communities and to create a more sustainable future for all.

Conclusion

The efforts of Josephine and Omar to redesign their neighborhood and promote the development of green spaces in urban areas demonstrate the positive impact that individuals can have when they are motivated to make a difference. Through their non-profit organization, BioRaven, they are working to inspire and empower others to take action in their own communities, creating a network of more sustainable and liveable neighborhoods.

While the challenges of urbanization can seem daunting, the work of Josephine, Omar, and BioRaven offer hope for a brighter future. By prioritizing the development and maintenance of green spaces, we can create healthier, more sustainable communities that provide numerous benefits to both the environment and human health. Together, we can work to create a more liveable and sustainable future for all.

Reference List

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