Greenery for the Masses (6/1/19)

I’m an RN and not actually majoring in Urban Planning. As a nurse you are expected to look at your patient holistically and be a patient advocate. I’ve been a nurse for 20 years and have had to development great assessment skills, emotional intelligence, learn who are my resources, educate, maneuver around political landmines, show compassion, and provide equality of care. I don’t have to know everything, but it is important that I know a little bit about a lot.

I’ve been looking at green space as it pertains to health, emotional well-being, and social equity. Urban planners seem to need a lot of the skills that nurses have. They need great assessment skills, emotional intelligence, learn who are their resources, educate, maneuver around political landmines, show compassion, and provide equality in community resources.

As we were driving to the most affluent part of S. Korea, I noticed the poorer areas were less lush with greenery. Also, the greenery had no depth to it. The poorer area seemed dirtier, hotter, and less happy and carefree. 

One thing I can do to bring some of the innovations that S. Korea has is educate the public as well as the planning department about ways to continuously get better by providing a healthy environment for everyone, not just the affluent.