Scientists: Loss of Prague's greenery harmful to health

CzechNews
9. 10. 2008 9:30
The Czech Academy of Sciences opposes plans to use green spaces for development.
Some recreational areas are now earmarked for development.
Some recreational areas are now earmarked for development. | Foto: Ondřej Besperát

The Czech Academy of Sciences' environment committee has launched an unusually strong attack on Prague officials for planning to liquidate vast green areas in the city and replace them with new buildings.

The scientists warn that new development will further spoil the environment in the capital city, which is right now the most polluted location in the country. Children's diseases will become more prevalent and mortality among the elderly will increase as a result.

In the last few months, individual Prague districts have sent City Hall their comments on a new zoning plan that should come into effect in 2010. Despite opposition from residents, authorities are proposing to transform many green areas into residential zones.

"Such proposals indicate a total ignorance of the fundamental role of green spaces in an urban environment," the academy says in a statement. The environment committee is led by Radim Šrám, an internationally recognized expert on the monitoring of environmental impacts on human health.

Scientists say preserving greenery is essential for public health.
Scientists say preserving greenery is essential for public health. | Foto: Ondřej Besperát, Aktuálně.cz

If Prague officials' plan goes ahead, it will have a significant impact on children's health and on the mortality rate among elderly people within a few years, the scientists say.

"In roughly ten years, the effects will include an increased rate of illness among Prague children and more immunity problems, a greater rate of illness among adults and a higher number of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. If temperatures rise to tropical levels, the number of deaths among the elderly will rise instantly," the committee warns.

City Hall regards the scientists' arguments as exaggerated. "Prague is creating new green areas," City Hall spokesman Jiří Wolf told Aktuálně.cz.

City will lose hundreds of hectares

Zuzana Drhová from City Hall's local development department is also criticising the plan that will decrease the amount of green zones in the capital.

"The biggest areas are being earmarked for development east of Prague. Just in the area of Štěrboholy and Dubeč, the planned zoning changes involve almost 570 hectares. The city will also lose green zones - arable land, gardens and forests - around Uhříněves, Sobín, Veleslavín and Vokovice," Drhová says.

The Czech Academy of Sciences' environment committee says development is even planned in protected areas like Dívčí hrady and Vidoule in Prague 5. "This is an example of contempt for fundamental human rights, which today include the right to health and sustainable development," the scientists say.

Prague 5 is defending its plans. "We have plenty of space here, and it is better to use it than to expand the city to all sides," the daily Hospodářské noviny has recently quoted Elena Lacinová, head of the zoning plan department at town hall for Prague 5, as saying.

Prague 5 says it merely wants to
Prague 5 says it merely wants to | Foto: Aktuálně.cz

City Hall ignores importance of greenery

According to the environment committee, Prague has failed to consider the significant impact of greenery on human health.

"It is not just the absorption of a large amount of dust and other pollution, but it also serves as air humidity regulation, offsetting the impact of unfavourable temperatures in the city. It also helps reduce noise levels. The other important functions of green spaces include recreation and the absorption of carbon dioxide. They also help counter climate change and preserve biodiversity," the scientists say in the statement.

Planting new trees in urban areas can reduce the content of fine dust particles in the air by up to a quarter. This was also presented in a study, to which the European Commission environmental bulletin drew attention in its February issue.

Czech scientists say mature vegetation works as a filter, which absorbs some of the fine dust particles that pose the biggest treat to health. Fine dust particles irritate and damage the respiratory system, and bind other harmful substances, including those that can cause cancer.

"Research has shown that fine dust particles can lead to increased occurrence of respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis and asthma, among children. Among adults, fine dust particles increase the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and increase the mortality rate," the scientists say.

Adapted and republished by Prague Daily Monitor.

 

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