ANNOUNCEMENTS
Varanasi smart city is playing an important role in the development and rejuvenating of parks and open urban spaces under smart city mission 2015. Open urban spaces or green spaces such as park , pond or Kund, rejuvenation of Ghats, parks with basement parking etc. are designed for betterment of city life and urban region. As rapidly urbanizing Indian cities and increasing population, a wellplanned and landscaped park can turn out to be extremely beneficial. Such as it can enhance the natural environment and human health, like physical and mental comfort, phycological and emotional relaxation and also the social interaction, Noise reduction and also decreasing the air pollution. The aim of the study is to assess the parks developed by the Varanasi smart city and understand the issues related to its maintenance, public engagement and Its impact on health and wellbeing For the study both primary and secondary sources were used for the collection of the data. The data were collected by interviewing 40 park visitors and 40 local Residents living near the parks. 98% of them reported that all the parks have sufficient space for the recreational activities such as, walking, jogging, exercising and relaxing, they also report that performing physical and leisure activities in the park has a positive impact on reducing stress, mindfulness, physical fitness, maintaining body weight and overall well-being.
Keywords: Recreational, Health and well-being, mindfulness, Landscape.
