Today in our environmental science lecture, we'll discuss urban green spaces. Recent studies show that city parks not only improve air quality but also significantly reduce the urban heat island effect. For example, a project in Melbourne planted over 70,000 trees in five years, which lowered local temperatures by up to 4 degrees Celsius during summer. However, researchers emphasize that the location of green areas matters more than their total size. Small, well-distributed gardens are often more effective than one large park, because they allow more residents to access them easily, encouraging physical activity and mental well-being. So, when planning future cities, we should prioritize connectivity and accessibility.