History and theory of garden design and landscape architecture > Garden and Landscape Books > Essays on Cities and Landscapes by Tom Turner - contents list > 16.26 Air conditioning parks

16.26 Air conditioning parks

Contents list

16.1 Park Character
16.2 Red Park Space
16.3 Blue Park Space
16.4 Yellow Park Space
16.5 Orange Park Space
16.6 Purple Park Space
16.7 Brown Park Space
16.8 Grey Park Space
16.9 White Park Space
16.10 Greenspace
16.11 Aged Parks
16.12 Toddler Parks
16.13 Childrens Parks
16.14 Teenager Parks
16.15 Yuppie Parks
16.16 Family Parks
16.17 Third Age Parks
16.18 Cultural Parks
16.19 Park Ownership and Management
16.20 Religious Parks
16.21 Art Parks
16.22 Political Parks
16.23 Ethnic Parks
16.24 Flood Parks
16.25 Recycling Parks
16.26 Air Conditioning Parks
16.27 Permaculture Parks
16.28 Restaurant Parks
16.29 Garden Parks
16.30 Club Parks
16.31 Bird Parks
16.32 Dog Parks
16.33 Museum Parks
16.34 Photographic Parks
16.35 Swimming Parks
16.36 Park Diversification
References

In the 1950s, it seemed that urban air was improving, as gas and electric heating took the place of coal fires. Now, air quality appears to be getting worse, as cars and other machines release more and worse pollutants into the atmosphere. Parks can make a small but valuable contribution to the problem. All green plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. Deciduous plants collect particulate matter on their leaves and carry it to the ground when the leaves fall. Trees can provide shelter and shade, cooling the air in summer and fending off cold winds in winter. This is air conditioning by natural means.