Environmental Impact Assessment of Commercial Investment in Parks and Public Gardens in Benghazi City

Abstract

Green spaces and public gardens are considered the “lungs” of cities, as they beautify urban areas through their vegetation and aesthetic features such as fountains, ponds, and arches that attract public attention. However, these areas are increasingly subjected to unregulated commercial investment and other activities, leading to several environmental problems, most notably pollution. This issue is exacerbated by the absence of specific standards and criteria regarding the type and scale of investment in such areas. In Benghazi, the study area, the environmental condition of green spaces has noticeably deteriorated due to the uncontrolled expansion of commercial investments without adequate supervision or monitoring. Therefore, this study aims to assess the environmental status of these spaces, identify their current patterns of use, and examine the role of environmental laws and regulations in protecting them from encroachment. The research further proposes practical solutions to mitigate the problem and preserve these essential urban resources. Keywords: Environmental dimension, Pollution, Commercial investment.