Today in our environmental science lecture, we're discussing urban green spaces. A recent study in Melbourne found that parks can reduce local temperatures by up to 4 degrees Celsius during heatwaves. However, the effect depends on the park's size and tree coverage. Small gardens with scattered trees have minimal impact, while large connected parks with dense canopy create significant cooling. Interestingly, the study also noted that water features, like ponds or fountains, enhance the cooling effect by up to 2 additional degrees. So, when designing future cities, planners should prioritize large, interconnected green areas with mature trees and water elements, rather than many small isolated ones.