Bill Overview
Title: Revitalizing Cities Through Parks Enhancement Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants for qualified community organizations to establish community open spaces, such as parks or playgrounds, in urban areas.
Sponsors: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Target Audience
Population: Urban populations worldwide
Estimated Size: 280000000
- The bill focuses on creating community open spaces such as parks and playgrounds.
- These spaces are to be established in urban areas, implying a focus on cities rather than rural or suburban areas.
- The wellbeing of urban populations could be enhanced through increased access to open spaces, which can improve quality of life, physical health, and community relationships.
- Urban areas worldwide contain a significant portion of the global population, with over 4 billion people residing in cities as of the latest estimates.
- The primary global impact would be on city dwellers who currently have limited access to open spaces.
Reasoning
- The policy targets urban populations, primarily focusing on cities rather than rural or suburban areas.
- The budget limits indicate that only a specific number of projects can be funded initially, prioritizing areas with the greatest need for open spaces.
- Interview sample includes a mix of individuals likely to be affected and those not impacted by the policy, providing a range of perspectives.
- The policy is expected to improve the quality of life and wellbeing for urban residents who lack access to open spaces.
- Urban populations, making up a significant portion of the U.S. population, will experience varied levels of impact based on current access to parks and playgrounds.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (Boston, MA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is essential. We don't have a safe place for my kids to play outdoors in our neighborhood.
- If it passes, it would mean my kids can grow up experiencing nature closer to home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retail Manager (Detroit, MI)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more parks would be great for the community. Right now, we don't have many green spaces.
- If they build a park nearby, it would make downtown living more enjoyable and less stressful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I love parks, I don't think the policy directly affects me. I have enough options for recreational activities.
- I'm glad it will help others who might not have access to such spaces.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We desperately need more green spaces to relax, especially with how busy and hectic life can be.
- The policy sounds promising, and I hope our area can see improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Chef (New York, NY)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would be fantastic to have more parks. However, with my schedule, I rarely get to enjoy these spaces.
- I believe it will benefit my family's lifestyle more than mine personally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
College Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more parks would make urban life feel less restricting. It's sometimes hard to find tranquility in the city.
- I hope it encourages more students to appreciate and use these spaces.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Police Officer (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've been advocating for more public parks. It's hard to overstate their importance for community bonding.
- I see this policy propelling positive change and strengthening neighborhoods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Actor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is vital, but I don't foresee it changing my daily life.
- Having more parks may make the city less chaotic, which is always a positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Entrepreneur (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could improve living conditions immensely by providing spaces for kids to play safely.
- It might also attract more customers to local businesses like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Construction Worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the policy. Having parks nearby reduces stress and commuting fatigue.
- If new parks are built, they should consider accessibility for workers like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1200000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 2: $1200000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 3: $1200000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 5: $1200000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The scale and location of parks will heavily influence the cost.
- Local partnerships can reduce costs through shared responsibilities for maintenance.
- Initial land acquisition costs can be variable and potentially high in dense urban areas.
- Community engagement is crucial to ensure successful implementation and operation of park spaces.