Today in our environmental science lecture, we'll discuss the impact of urban green spaces. According to a recent study, adding parks and community gardens can reduce local temperatures by up to 5 degrees Celsius during summer heatwaves. This cooling effect occurs because plants release moisture through transpiration. However, the study also found that the placement of green spaces matters more than their total area. For example, small shaded areas distributed evenly across a city are more effective than one large central park. The researchers suggest that city planners should prioritize creating narrow green corridors along streets and between buildings, which can guide cool air into densely populated neighborhoods.