Page 33 - U4SSC Factsheet, Bizerte, Tunisia, June 2020

Public Space and Nature, and Environmental Quality

Category KPI Result Performance to Benchmark SDG

Green Areas
(per 100 000 13.65 ha
inhabitants)

Green Area Accessibility 29.05 %

Protected Natural Areas 0.18 %

Recreational Facilities
(per 100 000 12 138.48 m 2
inhabitants)

EMF Exposure 100.00 %

Noise Exposure Not Reported

It is recommended that Bizerte improves its performance in these categories, especially as it relates to
green areas. This is important, as green spaces in urban ecosystems help produce oxygen and naturally
mitigate levels of air pollution, including airborne particulate matter. In addition, Green areas not only
help cool cities and provide refuge from urban noise, they also help to facilitate physical activity such
as walking and cycling, social interaction, recreation and relaxation, thereby helping to improve mental
well-being and health.

Optimizing public spaces: Therefore, it is important for Bizerte to ensure that a higher percentage of
its population has close proximity to a publicly accessible green space – i.e. lives within 300 meters of
one. Although creating green spaces can be a challenge in older or more highly populated cities where
there is greater pressure for space, resources and development, it is recommended that Bizerte’s plans
to introduce more green spaces should ensure that they are distributed uniformly throughout the city
area, and that the total area occupied by the green spaces is large enough to accommodate the city’s
population needs.

Lastly, it is recommended that Bizerte measures and reports noise exposure in the city, because
exposure to prolonged levels of noise can lead to negative health effects and adversely affect the
ability of residents to enjoy city life.

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