While the World Health Organization recommends around 30 to 35 square meters of green space per person, the standard in Mexico is currently around 4 to 5 square meters. San Pedro, a thriving suburb of Monterrey, surpasses this standard with six times the amount of green space per resident - a fact that doubtlessly factors into its reputation as having the highest quality of life in the entire country. Today's guest on The Possible City, German Enriquez, leads the NGO that manages and maintains these incredible public spaces, San Pedro Parques.
An industrial engineer by training, he initially wanted to focus on energy as a way to contribute to improving the environment. He soon found himself drawn to the importance of high quality, accessible public spaces as a way to both protect the planet and build community from the ground up. According to German, parks are not just "the lungs of the city," as they're often described - they are tools for mitigating climate change, enhancing public safety, and making people healthier. In today's episode, German talks about what he does to help local governments understand the value of these tools and invest in them appropriately.
Referenced in this episode:
News & Tribune, September 24, 2021: "Part of the bigger picture: Parks leaders in Indiana, Mexico support connection."
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