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Mao Y, Xia T, Hu F, Chen D, He Y, Bi X, Zhang Y, Cao L, Yan J, Hu J, Ren Y, Xu H, Zhang J, Zhang L. The greener the living environment, the better the health? Examining the effects of multiple green exposure metrics on physical activity and health among young students. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118520. [PMID: 38401683 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The sedentary and less active lifestyle of modern college students has a significant impact on the physical and mental well-being of the college community. Campus Green Spaces (GSs) are crucial in promoting physical activity and improving students' health. However, previous research has focused on evaluating campuses as a whole, without considering the diverse spatial scenarios within the campus environment. Accordingly, this study focused on the young people's residential scenario in university and constructed a framework including a comprehensive set of objective and subjective GSs exposure metrics. A systematic, objective exposure assessment framework ranging from 2D (GSs areas), and 2.5D (GSs visibility) to 3D (GSs volume) was innovatively developed using spatial analysis, deep learning technology, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) measurement technology. Subjective exposure metrics incorporated GSs visiting frequency, GSs visiting duration, and GSs perceived quality. Our cross-sectional study was based on 820 university students in Nanjing, China. Subjective measures of GSs exposure, physical activity, and health status were obtained through self-reported questionnaires. The Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was used to evaluate the associations between GSs exposure, physical activity, and perceived health. Physical activity and social cohesion were considered as mediators, and path analysis based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to disentangle the mechanisms linking GSs exposure to the health status of college students. We found that (1) 2D indicator suggested significant associations with health in the 100m buffer, and the potential underlying mechanisms were: GSs area → Physical activity → Social cohesion → Physical health → Mental health; GSs area → Physical activity → Social cohesion → Mental health. (2) Subjective GSs exposure indicators were more relevant in illustrating exposure-response relationships than objective ones. This study can clarify the complex nexus and mechanisms between campus GSs, physical activity, and health, and provide a practical reference for health-oriented campus GSs planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuheng Mao
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Tianyu Xia
- College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Fan Hu
- College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Yichen He
- Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.
| | - Xing Bi
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Yangcen Zhang
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Lu Cao
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China; School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus, 500 Yarra Blvd, Richmond, Victoria, 3121, Australia.
| | - Jingheng Yan
- Department of Geography and Planning, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
| | - Jinyu Hu
- College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Yanzi Ren
- School of Built Environment, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Hongmei Xu
- Department of Physical Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Jinguang Zhang
- College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Liqing Zhang
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Sabedotti MES, O'Regan AC, Nyhan MM. Data Insights for Sustainable Cities: Associations between Google Street View-Derived Urban Greenspace and Google Air View-Derived Pollution Levels. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19637-19648. [PMID: 37972280 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Unprecedented levels of urbanization have escalated urban environmental health issues, including increased air pollution in cities globally. Strategies for mitigating air pollution, including green urban planning, are essential for sustainable and healthy cities. State-of-the-art research investigating urban greenspace and pollution metrics has accelerated through the use of vast digital data sets and new analytical tools. In this study, we examined associations between Google Street View-derived urban greenspace levels and Google Air View-derived air quality, where both have been resolved in extremely high resolution, accuracy, and scale along the entire road network of Dublin City. Particulate matter of size fraction less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide were quantified using 5,030,143 Google Air View measurements, and greenspace was quantified using 403,409 Google Street View images. Significant (p < 0.001) negative associations between urban greenspace and pollution were observed. For example, an interquartile range increase in the Green View Index was associated with a 7.4% [95% confidence interval: -13.1%, -1.3%] decrease in NO2 at the point location spatial resolution. We provide insights into how large-scale digital data can be harnessed to elucidate urban environmental interactions that will have important planning and policy implications for sustainable future cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E S Sabedotti
- Discipline of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering & Architecture, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
- MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate & Marine, University College Cork, Ringaskiddy, CorkP43 C573, Ireland
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Lee Rd, Sundays, Well, Cork T23 XE10, Ireland
| | - Anna C O'Regan
- Discipline of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering & Architecture, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
- MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate & Marine, University College Cork, Ringaskiddy, CorkP43 C573, Ireland
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Lee Rd, Sundays, Well, Cork T23 XE10, Ireland
| | - Marguerite M Nyhan
- Discipline of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering & Architecture, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
- MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate & Marine, University College Cork, Ringaskiddy, CorkP43 C573, Ireland
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Lee Rd, Sundays, Well, Cork T23 XE10, Ireland
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Besser LM, Meyer OL, Streitz M, Farias ST, Olichney J, Mitsova D, Galvin JE. Perceptions of greenspace and social determinants of health across the life course: The Life Course Sociodemographics and Neighborhood Questionnaire (LSNEQ). Health Place 2023; 81:103008. [PMID: 37003018 PMCID: PMC10176197 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
We developed the Life Course Sociodemographics and Neighborhood Questionnaire (LSNEQ) to query older adults about perceived neighborhood greenspaces across the life course (i.e., distance to park, number of neighborhood parks/playgrounds, and neighborhood greenness) and about characteristics hypothesized to confound or moderate/mediate greenspace-health associations. Six perceived life course indices are derived from the LSNEQ: neighborhood socioeconomic status, neighborhood walking/biking, urbanicity, neighborhood amenities, neighborhood park access, and neighborhood greenness. Older adults from St. Louis, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, completed the LSNEQ in 2020-2021. The indices demonstrated borderline acceptable to good internal consistency (alpha = 0.60-0.79) and good to excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.71-0.96) and detected different patterns of park access and neighborhood greenness by racialized group and location. Individuals with index scores indicating more neighborhood walking/biking and greater presence of neighborhood amenities over their life course were more likely to report neighborhood-based walking in older age. Overall, the LSNEQ is a reliable instrument to assess perceptions of life course social determinants of health including neighborhood greenspaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilah M Besser
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 7700 W Camino Real, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL, 33433, USA.
| | - Oanh L Meyer
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3900, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Marissa Streitz
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4488 Forest Park, Suite 101, Saint Louis, MO, 63108, USA.
| | - Sarah T Farias
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3900, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - John Olichney
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3900, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Diana Mitsova
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, SO 284, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.
| | - James E Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 7700 W Camino Real, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL, 33433, USA.
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