Greenbelt

/ˈɡriːnbɛlt/ noun

Definition

A wide band or area of open land, parks, and fields designed to encircle a city and protect it from excessive urban sprawl and pollution.

Etymology

From green + belt. The concept originated in Britain in the early 1900s, with the term formalizing a planning strategy to preserve green space around growing cities using a metaphorical 'belt' to contain urban growth.

Kelly Says

London's greenbelt system, established in 1938, is one of the most successful urban planning policies ever—over 80 years later it has protected farmland and forests right next to millions of people, proving that smart city boundaries actually work!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.