Shanghai plans to build or renovate at least 50 “pocket parks” this year to create more green space in the city’s densely populated areas.

“Pocket parks” are smaller in size, usually anywhere between 300 and 3,000 square meters, and tucked away among high-rises or along streets. They are usually unevenly shaped, and meant to ensure every citizen finds a green piece of land within 500 meters from home, the city’s greenery authority said yesterday.

The city has 243 major parks — that number will increase to 300 by 2020 — but most of them are too far away from neighborhoods.