Hyderabad, once known for its lakes and gardens, is now battling a serious urban issue—the lack of lung space. As skyscrapers rise and vehicles flood the roads, the city’s green cover is rapidly shrinking. According to environmental experts, Hyderabad has significantly less green space per capita than what’s recommended for a healthy city. This blog explores the causes, impacts, and solutions, including how we can “spasify” the city to bring back calm, clean, and natural environments.
What is Lung Space and Why Does it Matter?
Lung space refers to green, open areas like parks, gardens, tree-lined streets, and public lawns. These spaces:
Purify air
Lower temperatures
Promote mental and physical health
Provide recreational areas for children and families
Encourage biodiversity
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 9 square meters of green space per person, but Hyderabad currently offers much less in many areas.
Why Is Lung Space Disappearing in Hyderabad?
Rapid Urbanization
The city’s real estate and infrastructure development boom has led to unplanned construction, reducing green belts.
Shrinking Lakes and Parks
Many lakes have been encroached upon or polluted. Public parks are either poorly maintained or converted for commercial use.
High Population Growth
A growing population means more demand for housing and roads, which leads to cutting down trees and clearing green zones.
Neglect of Urban Planning
Many new residential and commercial areas are developed without including green or wellness spaces in their design.
The Impact: What Hyderabad Is Losing
Air Quality Worsens
With fewer trees to absorb CO₂ and pollutants, the city’s air quality is deteriorating.
Rising Urban Temperatures
Concrete traps heat. Without trees and water bodies, Hyderabad is becoming an urban heat island.
Mental Health Struggles
The lack of open spaces contributes to stress, anxiety, and sedentary lifestyles.
Poorer Quality of Life
Without nature, cities become harder places to live—especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues.
The Solution: How to “Spasify” Hyderabad
The term “spasify” refers to transforming parts of the city into calm, green, wellness-oriented environments—like what we associate with a spa. Here’s how Hyderabad can move toward this vision:
1. Create Vertical Gardens and Green Rooftops
Urban buildings can be transformed with:
Vertical gardens on walls
Rooftop gardens for cooling and air purification
Incentives for eco-friendly architecture
2. Revive and Protect Public Parks
Restore historic parks like Indira Park and KBR Park
Prevent land encroachment
Add amenities like walking trails, yoga areas, and play zones
3. Build Community Wellness Zones
Instead of just gyms and malls, promote:
Public meditation spots
Outdoor fitness areas
Spa-like urban retreats using natural landscaping, water features, and tree shade
4. Encourage Urban Tree Planting
Mandate tree planting in residential and commercial projects
Engage local citizens through “Adopt a Tree” or “My Neighborhood Forest” programs
5. Eco-Conscious Public Transport & Walkable Lanes
Create walkways and cycle tracks with green covers
Encourage car-free zones near tourist spots and heritage sites
6. Use Technology for Urban Green Mapping
Cities like Singapore use real-time green mapping to track vegetation cover. Hyderabad can adopt similar models to monitor and improve its green metrics.
Local Case Studies: What’s Already Working?
KBR Park: A vital green space, often referred to as the city’s lungs, but under threat due to road-widening plans.
T-Hub 2.0 & BioDiversity Park: Examples of urban spaces that balance infrastructure and green design.
If these models are expanded, Hyderabad can retain its growth while staying green.
How Citizens Can Help
You don’t have to wait for policy change. Here’s what Hyderabadis can do now:
Start a terrace garden
Join local clean-up drives and tree-planting events
Report illegal encroachments on green areas
Vote for green-minded policies and leaders
Conclusion: A Breath of Fresh Air is Still Possible
Hyderabad’s lack of lung space is a serious concern—but it’s not too late. By embracing smarter urban planning, restoring greenery, and encouraging wellness-focused public areas, we can truly “spasify” the city. It’s time we prioritize clean air, natural beauty, and mental well-being in our city’s future.
Let’s give Hyderabad the lungs it deserves, one green patch at a time.