As cities grow larger and land becomes more expensive, some people argue that providing public parks and green spaces should remain a priority for city planners. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

As cities absorb ever more of the world's population, planners face constant pressure to build housing, roads and commercial space on every available plot. Against this backdrop, some argue that parks and other green areas should be treated as a luxury the modern city can barely afford. I strongly disagree: in my view, green space is essential urban infrastructure, as vital to a city's health as its transport network or water supply. The clearest justification is public health. A substantial body of research links access to parks with lower rates of obesity, heart disease and depression. Green areas offer city dwellers, many of whom cannot afford gyms or holidays in the countryside, a free venue for exercise, relaxation and social contact. During the pandemic, when other public places closed, urban parks demonstrated exactly this value, becoming a lifeline for millions confined to small flats. Green space also delivers measurable environmental benefits. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants, muffle traffic noise and cool the surrounding streets, an increasingly important function as heatwaves intensify. Unpaved ground soaks up rainfall, reducing the flash flooding that plagues heavily concreted districts. In economic terms, these services would cost enormous sums to replicate artificially, which is precisely why describing parks as a luxury misunderstands their function. It is true that land in city centres is scarce and expensive, and that housing shortages are acute. However, this is a false dilemma. Dense, well-designed housing and generous green space can coexist, as cities such as Singapore demonstrate; what cannot be undone is the loss of green land once it has been built over. The genuine extravagance is assuming that future generations will forgive such short-sightedness. In conclusion, I firmly believe that green space belongs at the heart of urban planning. Parks are not decorative extras but a foundation of public health, environmental resilience and quality of life.