Home / Environment / Concrete Jungle Swallows Delhi's Dwindling Green Spaces
Concrete Jungle Swallows Delhi's Dwindling Green Spaces
17 Aug
Summary
- Lack of parks and green spaces in many Delhi neighborhoods
- Stark divide between affluent and underprivileged areas
- Absence of greenery affects physical and mental health
In August 2025, Delhi's rapid urbanization has come at a steep cost – the city's dwindling green spaces. A stark divide has emerged, with parks and playgrounds concentrated in affluent neighborhoods, while many low-income areas are left with little to no access to public green areas.
Seven-year-old Abu Katada, who lives in the Shahdara district, describes a typical day filled with school, tuition, and sleep, with no time for play. "If there's no space, how will we play? The lanes are too small, and it's dangerous," he says, highlighting the lack of parks and recreational spaces in his community.
This inequality in access to green spaces is not just a cosmetic concern – it has tangible, life-altering consequences. A recent study found that shaded, vegetated areas in Delhi's parks were on average 12°C cooler than exposed concrete surfaces, underscoring the critical role of greenery in regulating urban temperatures. Yet, many neighborhoods, particularly in the city's northeast and southwest regions, have park coverage of just 1.2% and 2.3%, respectively.
Residents in these underserved areas lament the impact on their physical and mental well-being. "If we had parks nearby, people would be more motivated, happier," says Kartikey Pathak, a resident of Laxmi Nagar. "People need time amid greenery. That's how you recharge."
As the city's concrete jungle continues to expand, the disparity in access to public green spaces is only expected to worsen, further entrenching the divide between the privileged and the underprivileged in Delhi.
