In today's lecture, we'll discuss the impact of urban green spaces on mental health. Recent studies indicate that access to parks and gardens can significantly reduce stress levels, particularly in densely populated cities. However, the benefits are not uniform: factors such as the size of the green area, its proximity to residential zones, and the presence of facilities like benches or walking paths play a crucial role. Interestingly, researchers found that even small, well-maintained community gardens can have a stronger positive effect than larger but poorly maintained parks. This suggests that maintenance quality may be more important than sheer size.