Đề thi VSTEP Reading B2 — Urban Green Design

As urban populations continue to grow rapidly, city planners are increasingly challenged to integrate green spaces into densely built environments. Traditional parks, while valuable, often require large plots of land that are unavailable in city centers. In response, urban designers have begun exploring alternative approaches such as vertical gardens, rooftop parks, and pocket parks built on abandoned lots. Research from environmental psychologists suggests that even small patches of greenery can significantly improve residents' mental health. A study conducted in several European cities found that people living within a five-minute walk of a green space reported lower stress levels and greater life satisfaction than those without easy access. Furthermore, these green pockets help reduce the urban heat island effect, where concrete and asphalt trap heat and raise local temperatures. Despite these benefits, funding remains a major obstacle. Many municipalities lack the budget to design and maintain such projects, and private developers often prioritize commercial returns over ecological considerations. Nevertheless, innovative public-private partnerships are emerging to address this gap.