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D'Agostino EM, Zhao AY, Zewdie HY, Ogletree SS, Messiah SE, Armstrong SC, Skinner AC, Hipp JA, Day SE, Konty KJ, Neshteruk CD. Associations Between Neighborhood Opportunity and Indicators of Physical Fitness for New York City Public School Youth. Child Obes 2024; 20:328-335. [PMID: 37831961 DOI: 10.1089/chi.2023.0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Fewer than 1/4th of US children and adolescents meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, leading to health disparities that track into adulthood. Neighborhood opportunity may serve as a critical modifiable factor to improve fitness attainment and reduce these disparities. We drew data from the Child Opportunity Index to examine associations between neighborhood indicators of opportunity for PA and multiple fitness indicators among New York City public school youth. Methods: Multilevel generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the overall and sex-stratified associations between neighborhood indicators (green space, healthy food, walkability, commute time) and indicators for physical fitness [curl-ups, push-ups, Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER), sit-and-reach] using the New York City FITNESSGRAM data set. Results: The analytic sample [n = 299,839; median (interquartile range) age = 16 (12-17)] was 50.1% female, 37.5% Hispanic, 26.2% non-Hispanic Black, and most (69.5%) qualified for free/reduced price school meals. Neighborhood indicators were positively associated with higher values of indicators for physical fitness. The strongest associations were observed between walkability and both BMI and PACER, and commute time with BMI, push-ups, and PACER. For example, walkability had the greatest magnitude of effects for BMI and muscular strength and endurance (BMI: β: -0.75, 95% confidence interval, CI: -1.01 to -0.49; PACER: β: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.59 to 2.37), and particularly for girls compared with boys (BMI, girls: β: -0.91, 95% CI: -1.22 to -0.66); BMI, boys: β: -0.56, 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.25); PACER, girls: β: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.68 to 2.54; push-ups, boys: β: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.12). Conclusion: Neighborhood indicators were associated with multiple measures of youth fitness. Continued research on neighborhood opportunity and youth fitness may better inform place-based public health interventions to reduce disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M D'Agostino
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amy Y Zhao
- Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hiwot Y Zewdie
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - S Scott Ogletree
- Center for Geospatial Analytics, Recreation, and Tourism Management, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Sarah E Messiah
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Pediatric Population Health, Children's Health System of Texas and UTHealth School of Public Health, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sarah C Armstrong
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Asheley C Skinner
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - J Aaron Hipp
- Center for Geospatial Analytics, Recreation, and Tourism Management, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Sophia E Day
- NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of School Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin J Konty
- NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of School Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cody D Neshteruk
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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López Moreira Mazacotte GA, Tetzlaff D, Marx C, Warter MM, Wu S, Smith AA, Soulsby C. Integrated monitoring and modeling to disentangle the complex spatio-temporal dynamics of urbanized streams under drought stress. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:560. [PMID: 38767712 PMCID: PMC11106154 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12666-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
We have a poor understanding of how urban drainage and other engineered components interact with more natural hydrological processes in green and blue spaces to generate stream flow. This limits the scientific evidence base for predicting and mitigating the effects of future development of the built environment and climate change on urban water resources and their ecosystem services. Here, we synthesize > 20 years of environmental monitoring data to better understand the hydrological function of the 109-km2 Wuhle catchment, an important tributary of the river Spree in Berlin, Germany. More than half (56%) of the catchment is urbanized, leading to substantial flow path alterations. Young water from storm runoff and rapid subsurface flow provided around 20% of stream flow. However, most of it was generated by older groundwater (several years old), mainly recharged through the rural headwaters and non-urban green spaces. Recent drought years since 2018 showed that this base flow component has reduced in response to decreased recharge, causing deterioration in water quality and sections of the stream network to dry out. Attempts to integrate the understanding of engineered and natural processes in a traditional rainfall-runoff model were only partly successful due to uncertainties over the catchment area, effects of sustainable urban drainage, adjacent groundwater pumping, and limited conceptualization of groundwater storage dynamics. The study highlights the need for more extensive and coordinated monitoring and data collection in complex urban catchments and the use of these data in more advanced models of urban hydrology to enhance management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Doerthe Tetzlaff
- Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Geography Institute, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- IRI THESys, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Marx
- MOSAIC Research Group - Modelling Surface and Groundwater With Isotopes in Urban Catchments, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Magdalena Warter
- Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Songjun Wu
- Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Geography Institute, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- IRI THESys, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aaron Andrew Smith
- Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Chris Soulsby
- Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- MOSAIC Research Group - Modelling Surface and Groundwater With Isotopes in Urban Catchments, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- School of Geosciences, Northern Rivers Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
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Krol L, Langezaal M, Budidarma L, Wassenaar D, Didaskalou EA, Trimbos K, Dellar M, van Bodegom PM, Geerling GW, Schrama M. Distribution of Culex pipiens life stages across urban green and grey spaces in Leiden, The Netherlands. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:37. [PMID: 38287368 PMCID: PMC10826093 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06120-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need for cities to become more climate resilient; one of the key strategies is to include more green spaces in the urban environment. Currently, there is a worry that increasing green spaces might increase mosquito nuisance. As such, this study explores a comprehensive understanding of how mosquitoes utilise contrasting grey and green habitats at different life stages and which environmental factors could drive these distributions. METHODS We used a setup of six paired locations, park (green) vs. residential (grey) areas in a single model city (Leiden, The Netherlands), where we sampled the abundances of different mosquito life stages (eggs, larvae, adults) and the local microclimatic conditions. In this study, we focused on Culex pipiens s.l., which is the most common and abundant mosquito species in The Netherlands. RESULTS Our results show that while Cx. pipiens ovipositioning rates (number of egg rafts) and larval life stages were far more abundant in residential areas, adults were more abundant in parks. These results coincide with differences in the number of suitable larval habitats (higher in residential areas) and differences in microclimatic conditions (more amenable in parks). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that Cx. pipiens dispersal may be considerably more important than previously thought, where adult Cx. pipiens seek out the most suitable habitat for survival and breeding success. Our findings can inform more targeted and efficient strategies to mitigate and reduce mosquito nuisance while urban green spaces are increased, which make cities more climate resilient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louie Krol
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Melissa Langezaal
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Budidarma
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daan Wassenaar
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emilie A Didaskalou
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Krijn Trimbos
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martha Dellar
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M van Bodegom
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gertjan W Geerling
- Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Schrama
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Sewell K, Paul S, De Polt K, Sugg MM, Leeper RD, Rao D, Runkle JD. Impacts of compounding drought and heatwave events on child mental health: insights from a spatial clustering analysis. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2024; 4:1. [PMID: 38168712 PMCID: PMC10761644 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-023-00055-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concurrent heatwave and drought events may have larger health impacts than each event separately; however, no US-based studies have examined differential mental health impacts of compound drought and heatwave events in pediatric populations. OBJECTIVE To examine the spatial patterns of mood disorders and suicide-related emergency department (ED) visits in children during heatwave, drought, and compound heatwave and drought events. We tested whether the occurrence of compound heatwave and drought events have a synergistic (multiplicative) effect on the risk of mental health related outcomes in children as compared to the additive effect of each individual climate hazard. Lastly, we identified household and community-level determinants of geographic variability of high psychiatric burden. METHODS Daily counts of psychiatric ED visits in North Carolina from 2016 to 2019 (May to Sept) for pediatric populations were aggregated at the county scale. Bernoulli cluster analyses identified high-risk spatial clusters of psychiatric morbidity during heatwave, drought, or compound heatwave and drought periods. Multivariate adaptive regression models examined the individual importance of household and community-level determinants in predicting high-risk clustering of mood disorders or suicidality across the three climate threats. RESULTS Results showed significant spatial clustering of suicide and mood disorder risks in children during heatwave, drought, and compound event periods. Periods of drought were associated with the highest likelihood of spatial clustering for suicide and mood disorders, where the risk of an ED visit was 4.48 and 6.32 times higher, respectively, compared to non-drought periods. Compounding events were associated with a threefold increase in both suicide and mood disorder-related ED visits. Community and household vulnerability factors that most contributed to spatial clustering varied across climate hazards, but consistent determinants included residential segregation, green space availability, low English proficiency, overcrowding, no broadband access, no vehicle access, housing vacancy, and availability of housing units. CONCLUSION Findings advance understanding on the locations of vulnerable pediatric populations who are disproportionately exposed to compounding climate stressors and identify community resilience factors to target in public health adaptation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Sewell
- North Carolina Institute of Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Sudeshna Paul
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road, NE Atlanta, GA, 30322-4027, USA
| | - Kelley De Polt
- North Carolina Institute of Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Biogeochemical Integration, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Maggie M Sugg
- Department of Geography & Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
| | - Ronald D Leeper
- North Carolina Institute of Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Douglas Rao
- North Carolina Institute of Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer D Runkle
- North Carolina Institute of Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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Zewdie HY, Zhao AY, Ogletree SS, Messiah SE, Armstrong SC, Skinner AC, Neshteruk CD, Hipp JA, Day SE, Konty KJ, D'Agostino EM. Longitudinal Associations Between Neighborhood Child Opportunity and Physical Fitness for New York City Public School Youth. Am J Epidemiol 2023; 192:1278-1287. [PMID: 37083846 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwad101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neighborhood environments can support fitness-promoting behavior, yet little is known about their influence on youth physical fitness outcomes over time. We examined longitudinal associations between neighborhood opportunity and youth physical fitness among New York City (NYC) public school youth. The Child Opportunity Index (COI), a composite index of 29 indicators measuring neighborhood opportunity at the census-tract level, along with scores on 4 selected COI indicators were linked to NYC FITNESSGRAM youth data at baseline. Fitness outcomes (measured annually, 2011-2018) included body mass index, curl-ups, push-ups, and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) laps. Unstratified and age-stratified, adjusted, 3-level generalized linear mixed models, nested by census tract and time, estimated the association between COI and fitness outcomes. The analytical sample (n = 204,939) lived in very low (41%) or low (30%) opportunity neighborhoods. Unstratified models indicated that overall COI is modestly associated with improved youth physical fitness outcomes. The strongest opportunity-fitness associations were observed for PACER. Stratified models show differences in associations across younger vs. older youth. We find that neighborhood factors are associated with youth fitness outcomes over time, with the strength of the associations dependent on age. Future implications include better informed place-based interventions tailored to specific life stages to promote youth health.
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Ferhati K, Chouguiat Belmallem S, Burlea-Schiopoiu A. The Role of the COVID-19 Crisis in Shaping Urban Planning for Improved Public Health: A Triangulated Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3804. [PMID: 36900814 PMCID: PMC10000844 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This paper aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the link between urban planning practices and public health. A triangulated study was conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The first phase consisted of semi-structured interviews with health and urban planning experts, which were analyzed with the aid of Artificial Intelligence tools. The second phase involved an on-site investigation in the city of Algiers, including a survey, site visits, and a thorough analysis of the master plan for land use and urban planning. The findings emphasize the critical importance of a comprehensive health-centric approach to city design, improved governance and management practices, community involvement, and political commitment to prioritize health in urban planning. Furthermore, the results proved a strong correlation between prioritizing public health in urban planning practices and residents' satisfaction with the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, it is necessary to consider public health as a priority in urban planning practices and as a need for all stakeholders to work towards a healthier and more equitable urban environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koudoua Ferhati
- AVMF Research Lab, Department of Project Management, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Constantine 3 University, El Khroub 25000, Algeria
| | - Saliha Chouguiat Belmallem
- Department of Project Management, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Constantine 3 University, El Khroub 25000, Algeria
| | - Adriana Burlea-Schiopoiu
- Department of Management, Marketing, Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
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Szczepańska A, Pietrzyka K. The COVID-19 epidemic in Poland and its influence on the quality of life of university students (young adults) in the context of restricted access to public spaces. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GESUNDHEITSWISSENSCHAFTEN = JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 31:295-305. [PMID: 33432292 PMCID: PMC7788176 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-020-01456-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Aim The aim of this study was to determine the impact of social distancing, self-isolation and limited access to public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life and psychological well-being of young people. Subject and methods The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus posed a new global challenge in 2020. The new coronavirus emerged locally, but it rapidly spread to all continents and also reached Poland. On 24 March, the Polish Ministry of Health enforced self-isolation measures to contain the transmission of the disease. The new regulations imposed restrictions on civic freedoms, including access to public spaces. These measures significantly affected the daily lives of Polish citizens. Public spaces play a fundamental role in catering to the citizens' basic needs. Access to public spaces is directly correlated with the quality of life, human relations and spontaneous interactions. Young people are highly socially active, and they are frequent users of public spaces. University students (young adults) who transitioned to online learning on 12 March were surveyed remotely with the Microsoft Forms online tool. The questionnaire contained several questions to elicit demographic information about the respondents, as well as 25 closed-ended questions relating to university students' quality of life and access to public spaces during the epidemic. The survey was carried out during the first Polish lockdown in April 2020. The study group was composed of 132 respondents who were university students aged 19-26. Results The results revealed a strong correlation between the severity of lockdown measures during the epidemic and the students' activity levels in public spaces, a considerable deterioration in their physical and psychological well-being, and the overall quality of life. Conclusion The respondents were significantly affected by the absence of direct social interactions which, in their opinion, can be only partially compensated for by remote contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Szczepańska
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Socio-Economic Geography, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Prawocheńskiego 15, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Pietrzyka
- grid.412607.60000 0001 2149 6795Department of Socio-Economic Geography, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Prawocheńskiego 15, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland
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Jiang B, Yang Y, Chen L, Liu X, Wu X, Chen B, Webster C, Sullivan WC, Larsen L, Wang J, Lu Y. Green spaces, especially nearby forest, may reduce the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate: A nationwide study in the United States. LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING 2022; 228:104583. [PMID: 36158763 PMCID: PMC9485427 DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic is an ongoing global crisis that has profoundly harmed public health. Although studies found exposure to green spaces can provide multiple health benefits, the relationship between exposure to green spaces and the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate is unclear. This is a critical knowledge gap for research and practice. In this study, we examined the relationship between total green space, seven types of green space, and a year of SARS-CoV-2 infection data across 3,108 counties in the contiguous United States, after controlling for spatial autocorrelation and multiple types of covariates. First, we examined the association between total green space and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate. Next, we examined the association between different types of green space and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate. Then, we examined forest-infection rate association across five time periods and five urbanicity levels. Lastly, we examined the association between infection rate and population-weighted exposure to forest at varying buffer distances (100 m to 4 km). We found that total green space was negative associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate. Furthermore, two forest variables (forest outside park and forest inside park) had the strongest negative association with the infection rate, while open space variables had mixed associations with the infection rate. Forest outside park was more effective than forest inside park. The optimal buffer distances associated with lowest infection rate are within 1,200 m for forest outside park and within 600 m for forest inside park. Altogether, the findings suggest that green spaces, especially nearby forest, may significantly mitigate risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Jiang
- Urban Environments and Human Health Lab, HKUrbanLabs, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yuwen Yang
- Urban Environments and Human Health Lab, HKUrbanLabs, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Long Chen
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xueming Liu
- Urban Environments and Human Health Lab, HKUrbanLabs, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xueying Wu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Bin Chen
- Future Urbanity & Sustainable Environment (FUSE) Lab, Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- Urban Systems Institute, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Chris Webster
- HKUrbanLabs, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - William C Sullivan
- Smart, Healthy Communities Initiative, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
- Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Linda Larsen
- Smart Energy Design Assistance Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Queiroz Almeida D, Paciência I, Moreira C, Cavaleiro Rufo J, Moreira A, Santos AC, Barros H, Ribeiro AI. Green and blue spaces and lung function in the Generation XXI cohort: a life-course approach. Eur Respir J 2022; 60:2103024. [PMID: 35896209 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.03024-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to natural environments may affect respiratory health. This study examined the association of exposure to green and blue spaces with lung function in children, and assessed the mediation effect of air pollution and physical activity. METHODS The study used data from the Generation XXI, a population-based birth cohort from the Porto Metropolitan Area (Portugal). Residential Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at different buffers (100, 250 and 500 m), the accessibility to urban green spaces (UGS) within 400 and 800 m and the minimum distance to the nearest UGS and to the nearest blue spaces were assessed at birth, 4, 7 and 10 years of age. Three life-course measures were calculated: averaged exposure, early-life exposure (birth) and exposure trend over time (change in exposure). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75%) at 10 years were used as outcomes. To assess associations, linear regression models and path analysis were used. RESULTS This study included 3278 children. The adjusted models showed that increasing the NDVI exposure over time within 100 m of the child's residence was associated with higher values of FEV1 (L) and FEF25-75% (L·s-1) (β 0.01, 95% CI 0.0002-0.03 and β 0.02, 95% CI 0.001-0.05, respectively). No significant associations were observed for the remaining measures of exposure, and no mediation effect was found for pollution or physical activity. CONCLUSION Increasing exposure to greenness at close proximity from residences was associated with improved lung function. While the mechanism remains unknown, this study brings evidence that city greening may improve children's respiratory health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Queiroz Almeida
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Unidade de Saúde Pública, Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, Matosinhos, Portugal
- Equal contributors
| | - Inês Paciência
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
- Equal contributors
| | - Carla Moreira
- Cmat - Centre of Mathematics School of Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - João Cavaleiro Rufo
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
| | - André Moreira
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Santos
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Ribeiro
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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10
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Rödl A, Arlati A. A general procedure to identify indicators for evaluation and monitoring of nature-based solution projects. AMBIO 2022; 51:2278-2293. [PMID: 35641692 PMCID: PMC9481860 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01740-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, the idea of using natural elements or nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate the impacts of cities on climate, biodiversity and citizens' health became more popular in research and practice. Nevertheless, there are currently uncertainties in finding and selecting appropriate criteria and indicators for monitoring and evaluating the impact and performance of NbS and its co-creation processes. This paper proposes an easy-to-use and structured procedure for selecting appropriate criteria and indicators for monitoring and evaluating any kind of NbS project. The user is guided step by step in selecting meaningful metrics. The procedure is tested using a real case study from the Horizon 2020 research project CLEVER Cities as an example. The test shows that by following the indicated procedure, the criteria and indicator selection process is speeded up and reproducible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rödl
- Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology, Eißendorfer Strasse 40, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Arlati
- Department of Urban Planning and Regional Development, HafenCity University Hamburg, Henning-Voscherau-Platz 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Addas A. Exploring the pattern of use and accessibility of urban green spaces: evidence from a coastal desert megacity in Saudi Arabia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:55757-55774. [PMID: 35318604 PMCID: PMC8940514 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19639-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Urban green spaces (UGSs) provide various ecosystem services (ESs) that directly and indirectly enhance people's well-being. However, in the Saudi context, the assessment role of UGSs (such as urban parks and gardens) and their use and accessibility has remained unexplored. This study aims to assess the use and accessibility of five urban parks in the Jeddah megacity of Saudi Arabia from diversified perspectives. Data were collected through a primary survey and questionnaire method using a social preference approach (SPA). Correlation analysis and factor analysis were performed to assess the relationship between activities and services (benefits) provided by urban parks and to examine their most significant benefits. A Kruskal-Wallis (K-S test) test was performed to determine significant differences in the perceived valuations of park benefits. A benefit dominancy index (BDI) was also developed to determine which urban parks provide the most benefit. The findings of the study showed that (i) the urban parks were mostly used for spending time with relatives (partners) and friends, followed by mental refreshment and relaxation, physical activity, and spending time with children; (ii) there are substantial seasonal variations in park visits in the Jeddah megacity; (iii) socio-demographic attributes largely affect the use of urban parks; and (iv) there are also substantial discrepancies between importance and performance related to urban management strategies. Thus, the findings of this study show that city planners and policy makers must focus on the enhancement of UGSs for the well-being of urban citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Addas
- Landscape Architecture Department, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80210, Jedd+10ah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
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12
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Fleury-Bahi G, Galharret JM, Lemée C, Wittenberg I, Olivos P, Loureiro A, Jeuken Y, Laïlle P, Navarro O. Nature and well-being in seven European cities: The moderating effect of connectedness to nature. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2022; 15:479-498. [PMID: 35856464 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Well-being is transversal to different urban-related challenges such as increasing urbanization or adaptation to the effects of climate change. One possible response to these challenges is the use of nature in cities. The aim of this study is to investigate how the objective quantity of natural space near the home, the perception of these natural elements, and their perceived availability, moderated by the effect of connectedness to nature, could explain levels of well-being. A survey was conducted among a sample of 1343 participants living in seven European cities. Data were collected online via a questionnaire. Indicators of the objective quantity of urban natural space based on remotely sensed satellite imagery were also used. Regression models highlight the association between well-being and perceived amount of nature, accessibility to a community garden, and level of connectedness to nature. A moderating and negative effect of connectedness to nature on the association between the perceived quantity of nature and well-being was also identified. Perception of nature seems to be a better indicator of well-being than the objective one. Results highlight the importance of the social dimension of collective gardens in enhancing well-being. Connectedness to nature could facilitate appropriation of natural elements and its effects on well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghozlane Fleury-Bahi
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, Laboratoire de psychologie des Pays de la Loire, LPPL, UR 4638, Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Michel Galharret
- Laboratoire de Mathématiques Jean Leray UMR 6629, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | | | | | - Ana Loureiro
- HEI-Lab, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Oscar Navarro
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, Laboratoire de psychologie des Pays de la Loire, LPPL, UR 4638, Nantes, France
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13
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Ward KS, Truong S, Gray T. Connecting to nature through community engaged scholarship: Community gardens as sites for collaborative relationships, psychological, and physiological wellbeing. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:883817. [PMID: 35966485 PMCID: PMC9366467 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.883817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Community gardens are recognized as being associated with a range of benefits for participants that include enhanced outcomes in physical and affective domains and community building. The purpose of this study was to research the impact of the New South Wales Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) Community Greening (CG) program and to inform the ongoing development of this community outreach program. The organic community partnerships inherent in the design and the relationships between the Community Greening program participants and researchers is examined through the lens of Community Engaged Scholarship (CES). Over a seven-month period, the CG team implemented a community garden development program in six sites. Mixed-method research on the impact of the program found that the community gardening participants experienced positive changes in physical activity, psychological wellbeing and motivation for social engagement, and these outcomes were facilitated as a result of their relationships with members of the CG team. This paper examines how such programs, when explicitly framed as CES, could assist in consolidating nature-based community health and wellbeing programs and further legitimize community partnerships in development of community garden and green spaces as academically sound investigation and socio-economically justified activity. Expansion of this nature-based collaboration model may also enhance community engagement in green exercise, psychological wellbeing and community cohesion, and in turn support advocacy for greener environments locally, regionally and nationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumara San Ward
- Education and Society, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.,School of Education, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Son Truong
- School of Education, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.,School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Tonia Gray
- School of Education, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
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14
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Schmidt K, Walz A. Ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change through residential urban green structures: co-benefits to thermal comfort, biodiversity, carbon storage and social interaction. ONE ECOSYSTEM 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/oneeco.6.e65706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Climate change adaptation is essential to mitigate risks, such as extreme weather events triggered by global warming and amplified in dense urban environments. Ecosystem-based adaptation measures, such as urban greening, are promoted in cities because of their flexibility and their positive side effects, such as human health benefits, ecological effects, climate mitigation and a range of social benefits. While individual co-benefits of greening measures are well studied, often in public green spaces, few studies quantify co-benefits comprehensively, leaving social benefits particularly understudied. In this study, we perform biophysical and socio-cultural assessments of co-benefits provided by semi-public, residential greening in four courtyards with varying green structures. We quantify effects on thermal comfort, biodiversity, carbon storage and social interaction. We further assess the importance of these co-benefits to people in the neighbourhood. Subsequently, we weight the results from the biophysical assessments with the socio-cultural values to evaluate how even small differences in green structures result in differences in the provision of co-benefits. Results show that, despite relatively small differences in green structures, the residential courtyards with a higher green volume clearly generate more co-benefits than the residential yards with less green, particularly for thermal comfort. Despite differences in the valuation of co-benefits in the neighbourhood, socio-cultural weights did not change the outcome of the comparative assessment. Our results highlight that a deliberate management strategy, possibly on neighbourhood-scale, could enhance co-benefits and contribute to a more sustainable urban development.
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15
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Okech EA, Nyadera IN. Urban green spaces in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic: reflections from Nairobi, Kenya. GEOJOURNAL 2021; 87:4931-4945. [PMID: 34776594 PMCID: PMC8576316 DOI: 10.1007/s10708-021-10540-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper seeks to examine how the perception and use of Nairobi's urban green spaces (UGS) have been impacted by the Covid- 19 pandemic. The question of how the current pandemic and the resulting government policies will affect urban green spaces has remained elusive. Similarly, the relationship between public health crises and urban green spaces has not been well integrated in the current literature. This paper identifies a nexus between government response to the Covid-19 pandemic and (Un) sustainability of UGS. The authors further reflect on the potential role UGS could play to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic. Findings of the study show that UGS in Nairobi have not been fully exploited to provide citizens with sufficient access to green spaces yet as the pandemic has shown these spaces could significantly improve physical and mental health for the citizens as well as act as logistical areas for humanitarian activities during a pandemic. The paper therefore concludes with policy recommendations that can give rise to short and long term reforms in the provision and management of UGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ayuma Okech
- Department of Agriculture, Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
- Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Riara University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of International Studies, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
| | - Israel Nyaburi Nyadera
- Department of Agriculture, Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
- Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Riara University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of International Studies, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
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16
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Grahn P, Ottosson J, Uvnäs-Moberg K. The Oxytocinergic System as a Mediator of Anti-stress and Instorative Effects Induced by Nature: The Calm and Connection Theory. Front Psychol 2021; 12:617814. [PMID: 34290636 PMCID: PMC8286993 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.617814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ever more research results demonstrate that human health and wellbeing are positively affected by stays in and/or exposure to natural areas, which leads, among other things, to a reduction in high stress levels. However, according to the studies, these natural areas must meet certain qualities. The qualities that are considered to be most health promoting are those that humans perceive in a positive way. Theories about how natural areas can reduce people's stress levels and improve their coping skills have mainly focused on how certain natural areas that are perceived as safe reduce the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and consequent reduction of cortisol levels. This article discusses studies containing descriptions of how participants in rehabilitation perceive and react to natural phenomena. The common core variable in the analyzed studies was the experience of calm and connection, and this experience was associated with a reduction in stress levels and with being able to develop health and coping skills. We suggest that this experience provides a possible role for the oxytocinergic system to act as a physiological mediator for the positive and health-promoting effects in humans caused by nature. The theory is mainly based on analogies framed by theories and data from the fields of environmental psychology, horticulture, landscape architecture, medicine, and neuroscience. Oxytocin promotes different kinds of social interaction and bonding and exerts stress-reducing and healing effects. We propose that oxytocin is released by certain natural phenomena experienced as positive to decrease the levels of fear and stress, increase levels of trust and wellbeing, and possibly develop attachment or bonding to nature. By these effects, oxytocin will induce health-promoting effects. In situations characterized by low levels of fear and stress in response to release of oxytocin, the capacity for "growth" or psychological development might also be promoted. Such an instorative effect of nature, i.e., the capacity of nature to promote reorientation and the creation of new coping strategies, might hence represent an additional aspect of the oxytocin-linked effect profile, triggered in connection with certain nature phenomena. We conclude by proposing that the stress-relieving, health-promoting, restorative, and instorative effects of nature may involve activation of the oxytocinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Grahn
- Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Johan Ottosson
- Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Section of Anthrozoology and Applied Ethology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
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17
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Lu Y, Chen L, Liu X, Yang Y, Sullivan WC, Xu W, Webster C, Jiang B. Green spaces mitigate racial disparity of health: A higher ratio of green spaces indicates a lower racial disparity in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in the USA. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 152:106465. [PMID: 33684736 PMCID: PMC9754786 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
There is striking racial disparity in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection rates in the United States. We hypothesize that the disparity is significantly smaller in areas with a higher ratio of green spaces. County level data on the SARS-CoV-2 infection rates of black and white individuals in 135 of the most urbanized counties across the United States were collected. The total population in these counties is 132,350,027, comprising 40.3% of the U.S. population. The ratio of green spaces by land-cover type in each county was extracted from satellite imagery. A hierarchical regression analysis measured cross-sectional associations between racial disparity in infection rates and green spaces, after controlling for socioeconomic, demographic, pre-existing chronic disease, and built-up area factors. We found a higher ratio of green spaces at the county level is significantly associated with a lower racial disparity in infection rates. Four types of green space have significant negative associations with the racial disparity in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates. A theoretical model with five core mechanisms and one circumstantial mechanism is presented to interpret the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Long Chen
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xueming Liu
- Virtual Reality Lab of Urban Environments and Human Health, HKUrbanLabs, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yuwen Yang
- Virtual Reality Lab of Urban Environments and Human Health, HKUrbanLabs, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - William C Sullivan
- Smart, Healthy Communities Initiative, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Wenyan Xu
- Virtual Reality Lab of Urban Environments and Human Health, HKUrbanLabs, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Chris Webster
- HKUrbanLabs, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Bin Jiang
- Virtual Reality Lab of Urban Environments and Human Health, HKUrbanLabs, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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18
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Milner J, Davies M, Haines A, Huxley R, Michie S, Robertson L, Siri J, Wilkinson P. Emerging from COVID-19: Lessons for Action on Climate Change and Health in Cities. J Urban Health 2021; 98:433-437. [PMID: 33649906 PMCID: PMC7920547 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-020-00501-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James Milner
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Mike Davies
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London, Central House, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London, WC1H 0NN, UK
| | - Andy Haines
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Rachel Huxley
- C40 Cities Leadership Group, 3 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4N 4TQ, UK
| | - Susan Michie
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | | | - José Siri
- Our Planet Our Health, Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE, UK
| | - Paul Wilkinson
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
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19
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Association between Urban Greenspace and Health: A Systematic Review of Literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105137. [PMID: 34066187 PMCID: PMC8150317 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The current review aimed to explore the association between urban greenspaces and health indicators. In particular, our aims were to analyze the association between publicly accessible urban greenspaces exposure and two selected health outcomes (objectively measured physical activity (PA) and mental health outcomes (MH)). Two electronic databases—PubMed/Medline and Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE)—were searched from 1 January 2000 to 30 September 2020. Only articles in English were considered. Out of 356 retrieved articles, a total of 34 papers were included in our review. Of those, 15 assessed the association between urban greenspace and PA and 19 dealt with MH. Almost all the included studies found a positive association between urban greenspace and both PA and MH, while a few demonstrated a non-effect or a negative effect on MH outcomes. However, only guaranteeing access is not enough. Indeed, important elements are maintenance, renovation, closeness to residential areas, planning of interactive activities, and perceived security aspects. Overall, despite some methodological limitations of the included studies, the results have shown almost univocally that urban greenspaces harbour potentially beneficial effects on physical and mental health and well-being.
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20
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Human Dimensions of Urban Blue and Green Infrastructure during a Pandemic. Case Study of Moscow (Russia) and Perth (Australia). SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13084148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Significant challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that features of a modern, sustainable and resilient city should not only relate to fulfilling economic and social urban strategies, but also to functional urban design, in particular, related to urban blue and green infrastructure (BGI). Using results from a web-based questionnaire survey conducted May–July 2020 in Moscow (Russia) and Perth (Australia), this paper provides insights regarding citizens’ needs for and values of urban BGI as well as their changes during and after the COVID-19 restrictions. Survey data collected during the lockdown period have captured information about people’s ability to access green and blue spaces within urban BGI, inequalities in access, feelings, and values as well as needs and perceived pathways of future development of urban natural environment. In both cities, lockdowns limited access of people to green spaces which affected their mental and physical health. Survey results revealed that the quality, functionality, and location of open green spaces illustrated a disparity in distribution, meaning that in many cases several communities from particular neighborhoods suffered from limited access to BGI. Furthermore, in addition to analyzing perceptions and values of urban nature during the COVID-19 pandemic, some suggestions for improvement of urban BGI based on the survey responses are provided.
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21
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Dealing with Green Gentrification and Vertical Green-Related Urban Well-Being: A Contextual-Based Design Framework. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su122310020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization and climate change have generated ever-increased pressure to the ecosystem, bringing critical resilience challenges to densely congested cities. The resulted displaced and encroached habitat in need of recuperation demands a comprehensive overhaul to the customary urban planning practices; further, the deteriorating public health state of urban residents calls for strategies in dealing with green deprivation and gentrification issues. Frequently, urban greening strategies are envisaged at a macro-scale on a dedicated horizontal track of land, rendering local implementation in a densely built neighborhood a challenged undertaking. Communities lacking green and land resources could promote vertical greening to enable and enhance social and psychological well-being. This study ascertains that vertical greenery closest to the inhabitants could be allocated on a building facade. It can contribute to a more sustainable ecology. The article presents the systemic design approach to urban vertical greening thinking and its role in well-being provision. We propose an interdisciplinary multicriteria contextual-based scalable framework to assess vertical green infrastructure; the prototype requires an innovative approach to balance architecture, human needs, and the local environment. The vertical greening application provides an alternative paradigm in the design implementation for urban green. We proposed the locality and place to be incorporated into the vertical greening design framework. The research concludes the three-tiered consideration framework resulted: (1) in line with the human-habitat ecosystem, the local environment-social dimension is explored; (2) the well-being criteria encourage the design practice’s support for localized driven community vitality; (3) the design paradigm requires integration with the increasing demand for green space as well as taking into account the impact of severe climate; and (4) the framework should achieve the strengthening of health and well-being of the community.
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22
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Frumkin H, Das MB, Negev M, Rogers BC, Bertollini R, Dora C, Desai S. Protecting health in dry cities: considerations for policy makers. BMJ 2020; 371:m2936. [PMID: 33127838 PMCID: PMC7596730 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.m2936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Howard Frumkin
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Maitreyi Bordia Das
- Global Programs (Urban, Resilience, Land), The World Bank, Washington DC, USA
| | - Maya Negev
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | | | - Carlos Dora
- Environmental Health Governance, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sonalde Desai
- Department of Sociology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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23
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Nemitz E, Vieno M, Carnell E, Fitch A, Steadman C, Cryle P, Holland M, Morton RD, Hall J, Mills G, Hayes F, Dickie I, Carruthers D, Fowler D, Reis S, Jones L. Potential and limitation of air pollution mitigation by vegetation and uncertainties of deposition-based evaluations. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2020; 378:20190320. [PMID: 32981438 PMCID: PMC7536036 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2019.0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The potential to capture additional air pollutants by introducing more vegetation or changing existing short vegetation to woodland on first sight provides an attractive route for lowering urban pollution. Here, an atmospheric chemistry and transport model was run with a range of landcover scenarios to quantify pollutant removal by the existing total UK vegetation as well as the UK urban vegetation and to quantify the effect of large-scale urban tree planting on urban air pollution. UK vegetation as a whole reduces area (population)-weighted concentrations significantly, by 10% (9%) for PM2.5, 30% (22%) for SO2, 24% (19%) for NH3 and 15% (13%) for O3, compared with a desert scenario. By contrast, urban vegetation reduces average urban PM2.5 by only approximately 1%. Even large-scale conversion of half of existing open urban greenspace to forest would lower urban PM2.5 by only another 1%, suggesting that the effect on air quality needs to be considered in the context of the wider benefits of urban tree planting, e.g. on physical and mental health. The net benefits of UK vegetation for NO2 are small, and urban tree planting is even forecast to increase urban NO2 and NOx concentrations, due to the chemical interaction with changes in BVOC emissions and O3, but the details depend on tree species selection. By extrapolation, green infrastructure projects focusing on non-greenspace (roadside trees, green walls, roof-top gardens) would have to be implemented at very large scales to match this effect. Downscaling of the results to micro-interventions solely aimed at pollutant removal suggests that their impact is too limited for their cost-benefit analysis to compare favourably with emission abatement measures. Urban vegetation planting is less effective for lowering pollution than measures to reduce emissions at source. The results highlight interactions that cannot be captured if benefits are quantified via deposition models using prescribed concentrations, and emission damage costs. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Air quality, past present and future'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiko Nemitz
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
- e-mail:
| | - Massimo Vieno
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Edward Carnell
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Alice Fitch
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Claudia Steadman
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XP, UK
| | - Philip Cryle
- EFTEC, Economics for the Environment Consultancy, London, UK
| | | | - R. Daniel Morton
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, UK
| | - Jane Hall
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Gina Mills
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Felicity Hayes
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Ian Dickie
- EFTEC, Economics for the Environment Consultancy, London, UK
| | - David Carruthers
- Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants Ltd (CERC), Cambridge, UK
| | - David Fowler
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
| | - Stefan Reis
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
- European Centre for Environment and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK
| | - Laurence Jones
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK
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24
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Buckley A, Brownlie K, Hill K, Hallamore RR, Vijan N, Perry M. Health professionals’ inclusion of green space in the management of long term conditions: a scoping review. PHYSICAL THERAPY REVIEWS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2020.1832715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Buckley
- School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Karl Brownlie
- School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Karl Hill
- School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | | | - Nikita Vijan
- School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Meredith Perry
- Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand
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25
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Othmer FJ, Schmitt JP, Greiving S. Numerical modelling of the urban climate as an integrated part of environmental assessments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 731:138774. [PMID: 32413651 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The starting point of our study is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU, which has strengthened the consideration of climate change and "catastrophic events" in environmental assessments, which includes adaptation-relevant local impacts of climate change on projects due to climate change and also the project's impacts on the global as well as local (urban) climate. This article shows to what extent small-scale simulations of the urban climate can be applied and used within the framework of the environmental assessment of a project. We investigate so called "reasonable planning alternatives" in terms of urban design variants and compare them with their bioclimatic effects (human health as a protection good). The investigated area is located in the City of Bottrop (Germany). The procedure was coordinated with those responsible in the city's administration within the framework of a Living Lab, so that the results can be incorporated into the planning decision-making process which underlines its scientific validity and applicability. By its unique methodological approach, this article brings numerical urban climate modelling together with the legal requirements of European Framework Directives and shows that urban climate studies of reasonable planning alternatives can meet the current legal requirements for environmental assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Greiving
- TU Dortmund University, Institute for Spatial Planning (IRPUD), Germany.
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26
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Carlsten C, Salvi S, Wong GWK, Chung KF. Personal strategies to minimise effects of air pollution on respiratory health: advice for providers, patients and the public. Eur Respir J 2020; 55:1902056. [PMID: 32241830 PMCID: PMC7270362 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02056-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
As global awareness of air pollution rises, so does the imperative to provide evidence-based recommendations for strategies to mitigate its impact. While public policy has a central role in reducing air pollution, exposure can also be reduced by personal choices. Qualified evidence supports limiting physical exertion outdoors on high air pollution days and near air pollution sources, reducing near-roadway exposure while commuting, utilising air quality alert systems to plan activities, and wearing facemasks in prescribed circumstances. Other strategies include avoiding cooking with solid fuels, ventilating and isolating cooking areas, and using portable air cleaners fitted with high-efficiency particulate air filters. We detail recommendations to assist providers and public health officials when advising patients and the public regarding personal-level strategies to mitigate risk imposed by air pollution, while recognising that well-designed prospective studies are urgently needed to better establish and validate interventions that benefit respiratory health in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Carlsten
- Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory, Dept of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Gary W K Wong
- Dept of Pediatrics and School of Public Health, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Kian Fan Chung
- Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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27
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Urban Blue Acupuncture: A Protocol for Evaluating a Complex Landscape Design Intervention to Improve Health and Wellbeing in a Coastal Community. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12104084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Within the BlueHealth project, funded under the Horizon 2020 European Union research framework, a number of targeted experimental design interventions were used to test the effect and impact of planning and design on encouraging people to use various blue spaces. Complex interventions were implemented and evaluations before and after each were made using a set of tools which triangulate with each other—a site assessment tool, a behaviour observation tool, a questionnaire survey (including an economic evaluation) and qualitative interviews. The theoretical basis for the research is that of affordances, and the projects each involved modest changes to the landscape using the approach of “urban acupuncture” where a small intervention can potentially have an effect out of all proportion to the investment. This paper is a protocol paper and describes the research strategy and methodology in detail for one of the intervention sites, located in Plymouth in the UK. The aim is to present the methodology as a whole so as to act as (a) a reference framework for the results of all the projects which will be reported separately in a series of research articles once all the results are in and analysed and (b) a useful reference for other researchers wishing to carry out such complex projects and where a comprehensive presentation of the strategy and methodology is unavailable. We offer this protocol for reference, for critique and for inspiration to those following us.
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28
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Nilsson K, Bentsen P, Grahn P, Mygind L. [What is the scientific evidence with regard to the effects of forests, trees on human health and well-being?]. SANTE PUBLIQUE 2019; S1:219-240. [PMID: 31210482 DOI: 10.3917/spub.190.0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
In today's modern society, lifestyle-related diseases play an increasingly important role as the cause of bad health. Staying in and access to environments that contain natural elements such as forests, parks and gardens has been featured because of its potential to stimulating people's health and well-being. An independent research area has developed, which addresses issues that try to explain and document the health effects of access to and activities in nature. To bring together European researchers working with different aspects of the relation between nature and health, COST Action E39 "Forests, Trees, and Human Health and Wellbeing" was established in 2004 and terminated in November 2009. The main results of COST E39 was presented in the book "Forests, Trees and Human Health" published in 2011. This article focuses on three central research questions regarding the relationship between nature and health: (1) Nature's restorative and salutogenic effects on human beings, (2) Health effects of outdoor physical activities, and (3) Therapeutic interventions such as therapy gardens and forest bathing. Based on a systematic review of research carried out in the aftermath of the COST Action the following conclusions are made: (1) There is a remarkable amount of research publications showing a statistical correlation between access to nature and green areas and human physical activity and health. However, there are few studies that really prove a causal relationship, i.e. that access to green areas leads to increased physical activity and better health. (2) The existing research on outdoor activities in natural environments describes a number of positive associations and effects on health, and the evidence for some of these are convincing, albeit there must be reservations for the immediate applicability of the conclusions. (3) A lot of studies also show that nature-based therapeutic interventions work and provide clear positive effects, but there is serious criticism about the quality of the studies. Finally, the authors suggest more emphasis on research regarding the economic benefits of nature's health effects, more research on the effects of nature-based therapeutic interventions, and of broadening the theoretical basis. Furthermore, we foresee a better integration with health policies and practical implementation within urban planning and forest management.
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29
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Li L, Du Q, Ren F, Ma X. Assessing Spatial Accessibility to Hierarchical Urban Parks by Multi-Types of Travel Distance in Shenzhen, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E1038. [PMID: 30909421 PMCID: PMC6466280 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16061038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Urban green spaces play a critical role in public health and human wellbeing for urban residents. Due to the uneven spatial distribution of urban green spaces in most of cities, the issue of the disparity between supply and demand has aroused public concern. In a case of Shenzhen, a modified Gaussian-based two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method is adopted to evaluate the disparity between park provision and the demanders in terms of accessibility at hierarchical levels under four types of distance (e.g., Euclidean distance, walking distance, bicycling distance, and driving distance), which is well aligned with hierarchical systems in urban green spaces in urban planning practice. By contrast and correlation analysis, among the four types of distance, the statistical correlations are relatively high between Euclidean distance and the other three. Nonetheless, the pattern of spatial accessibility under different type of travel distance is apparently variant. Accessibility calculated by Euclidean distance is overestimated relative to that of the other three, while the pattern of walking distance and bicycling distance is similar to each other. The choice of type of distance is worthy of caution when evaluating spatial accessibility by 2SFCA method. Results show that the accessibility to parks at all hierarchical levels is high particularly, particularly at the natural level. However, the disparity between the supply and demand is significant. The percentage of communities that have high population density but low park accessibility is over 40% (equivalent to approximately 55% of the population). The finding may provide implications on access to urban greens paces for urban planners and authorities to develop effective planning strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Langjiao Li
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Qingyun Du
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Systems, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
- Key Laboratory of Digital Mapping and Land Information Application Engineering, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Geospatial Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Fu Ren
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Systems, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Xiangyuan Ma
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
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30
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Stoltz J, Schaffer C. Salutogenic Affordances and Sustainability: Multiple Benefits With Edible Forest Gardens in Urban Green Spaces. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2344. [PMID: 30574105 PMCID: PMC6292239 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With increased urbanization, ecological challenges such as climate change and loss of biodiversity, and stress-related disorders globally posing a major threat to public health and wellbeing, the development of efficient multiple-use strategies for urban green spaces and infrastructures is of great importance. In addition to benefits such as climate and water regulation, food production, and biodiversity conservation, green spaces and features have been associated with various health and wellbeing outcomes from a psychological perspective. Research suggests links between exposure to green environmental qualities and restoration from psycho-physiological stress and attention fatigue, promotion of physical activity, increased neighborhood satisfaction and even reduced mortality. Especially strong associations have been observed in urban and socio-economically challenged areas. Usually such salutogenic, i.e., health-promoting, effects are explained through theories related to the notion of biophilia, i.e., the idea that humans share innate tendencies to attend to natural environments and features that have been beneficial during evolution. This paper assumes an ecological approach to perception and behavior to be fruitful in order to analyze the salutogenic potential of environments such as urban green spaces and to step beyond the "green vs. gray" dichotomy that has been prevalent through much of the research on health-promoting environments. Through an analysis of environmental affordances for certain perceived qualities such an approach is explored through a proposed concept for urban green space use and management, the edible forest garden. Such gardens, based on agroecological principles, have emerged as one of the most promising models regarding ecologically sustainable food production. In addition to potential contributions of importance for urban sustainability and biodiversity, we argue that the inclusion of edible forest gardens in urban green spaces - today globally dominated by lawns - also potentially could reinforce several affordances of salutogenic importance, both in terms of, e.g., social cohesion but also in regard to restoration from psycho-physiological stress and attention fatigue. Increased opportunities for contact with nature and processes of food production may also reinforce pro-environmental behaviors in the population and thus also affect long-term sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Stoltz
- Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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31
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Simperler L, Himmelbauer P, Stöglehner G, Ertl T. Siedlungswasserwirtschaftliche Strukturtypen und ihre Potenziale für die dezentrale Bewirtschaftung von Niederschlagswasser. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00506-018-0520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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