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Chang CC, Lin BB, Feng X, Andersson E, Gardner J, Astell-Burt T. A lower connection to nature is related to lower mental health benefits from nature contact. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6705. [PMID: 38509180 PMCID: PMC10954714 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56968-5] [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: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence demonstrates the psychological benefits of nature contact. However, the evidence is often established at the population level, and the individual differences in the psychological benefits gained from nature are considered negligible variations. In this study, we performed a cross-sectional online survey in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, from April 15th and May 15th, 2021 around one year after the first covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. The results show that individuals with a stronger connection to nature are linked with a lower level of stress and anxiety with increased frequency in public greenspace visits, while such an association is less clear for individuals with a weaker connection to nature. We also find that, through the answer to an open-ended question, individuals with a lower connection to nature tend to mention nature-related words less as the reason for visiting greenspace. This indicates that a person's connection to nature is linked with how they interact with nature and thus might determine whether and how much psychological benefit a person gains from experiencing nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Chen Chang
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Brenda B Lin
- CSIRO Environment, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia.
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Barangaroo, NSW, Australia
| | - Erik Andersson
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - John Gardner
- CSIRO Environment, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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2
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Deniz Kiraz L, Ward Thompson C. How Much Did Urban Park Use Change under the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Comparative Study of Summertime Park Use in 2019 and 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7001. [PMID: 37947559 PMCID: PMC10648880 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20217001] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The importance of urban parks was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a number of restrictions on social gatherings were in place and people's movements were often restricted to their local neighbourhood. This study examined the changes in patterns of park use before and during COVID-19 to understand how the pandemic influenced such use. The methods involved behaviour observation and mapping, to offer a comparison of the use of parks in Edinburgh, Scotland, before and in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show an overall increase in use of urban parks during COVID-19, as expected, with significantly higher use in social areas, sports and fitness areas, and playground areas. However, while there was an overall increase in people visiting parks with others during COVID, in woodland areas there was an increase in lone visitors. This study shows the importance of parks for socialisation, exercise and children's play, but also for spending time alone in natural areas during COVID-19. The value of urban parks at a time of social disruption, such as the pandemic, is highlighted, and their role in supporting a variety of urban dwellers' needs points to priorities for future park planning, design and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Deniz Kiraz
- Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA), Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 9DF, UK;
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3
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Tenbrink T, Willcock S. Place attachment and perception of climate change as a threat in rural and urban areas. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290354. [PMID: 37672550 PMCID: PMC10482299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change is a global threat to ecosystems and the people that depend on them. However, the perceived threat of climate change may vary spatially. Previous research suggests that inhabitants in rural areas show higher levels of place attachment (associating meaning with a specific place) than urbanites, possibly because rural people depend more directly on their local environment. This can shape perceptions and behaviours, such as enhanced willingness to engage in landscape preservation. Here we ask if it also makes rural people perceive climate change as a greater threat, using a representative sample of 1,071 survey respondents from across the United Kingdom (UK) to provide first-order insights. We found that, whilst indicators of place attachment were indeed more frequent in rural areas, the perceived threat of climate change in the most rural locations was lower. We discuss possible explanations for this pattern (including lower levels of awareness of the anthropogenic causes of climate change, lessened first-hand experiences of climate change impacts due to higher levels of regulating ecosystem services, and higher levels of resilience in rural areas related to a closer relationship with nature), and call for further research to investigate this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thora Tenbrink
- School of Arts, Culture and Language, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Willcock
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
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Tomasso LP, Spengler JD, Catalano PJ, Chen JT, Laurent JGC. In situ psycho-cognitive assessments support self-determined urban green exercise time. URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2023; 86:128005. [PMID: 37483383 PMCID: PMC10358366 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Prescribed nature walks frequently yield improvements to mood and cognition as observed in experimental studies. Research that uses real life settings such as self-determined time exercising outdoors for restorative health benefits may more accurately elicit effects than time-specified study protocols. This study examined in situ psycho-cognitive outcomes of routine walks in urban greenspace to test the concept that self-set exposure duration and not context alone is related to magnitude of psycho-cognitive benefit. Pre-post measurements taken on a diverse participant pool of individuals walking in urban parks and recruited on random days over a two-week period found significant associations between outdoor activity duration and cognitive and mood improvements. Greater outdoor walking duration linearly predicted stronger processing speeds but non-linearly in tests of other cognitive domains. Results of fixed effects model for mean mood change following green exercise show outdoor walking influenced mood change at highest levels of significance, even after accounting for individual level variability in duration. Mood improved for all durations of outdoor walking under a random effects model with high significance. Untethering fixed intervals of outdoor exercise from formal study design revealed briefer but more frequent nature engagement aligned with nature affinity. The influence of unmeasured factors, e.g., nature affinity or restorative conditioning, for prescriptive durations of urban green exercise merits further investigation toward designing wellbeing interventions directed at specific urban populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Powers Tomasso
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Population Health Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - John D. Spengler
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Paul J. Catalano
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Jarvis T. Chen
- Population Health Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Rutgers School of Public Health, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
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5
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Yue Z, Chen J. Direct, indirect, and vicarious nature experiences collectively predict preadolescents' self-reported nature connectedness and conservation behaviors. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15542. [PMID: 37361038 PMCID: PMC10290449 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The quantity and context of children's nature experiences are undergoing significant changes, exacerbating a pervasive negative cycle that could impact future conservation efforts. Therefore, it is essential to conduct further studies on the potential impacts of these changes on children's willingness to engage in conservation practices. Methods We surveyed 2,175 preadolescents (aged 9-12) from rural and city schools in Hangzhou, Kunming, and Xishuangbanna, China, regarding their nature experiences (direct, indirect, and vicarious) and self-reported nature connectedness and conservation behaviors. Results We found that children in urban areas have higher frequencies of indirect and vicarious experiences than those in rural areas, with some direct nature experiences seldom reported among city respondents. Direct, indirect, and vicarious nature experiences significantly predicted children's conservation behavior and collectively provided the highest predictive power for conservation behavior. Direct and vicarious experiences were strongly correlated with pro-nature behavior, and the latter with pro-environmental behavior. Emotional and cognitive connection with nature positively predicted conservation behavior, influenced by location and residence type. Discussion This study reveals that different types of nature experiences shape children's current conservation behaviors in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Yue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, China
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Matasov V, Vasenev V, Matasov D, Dvornikov Y, Filyushkina A, Bubalo M, Nakhaev M, Konstantinova A. COVID-19 pandemic changes the recreational use of Moscow parks in space and time: Outcomes from crowd-sourcing and machine learning. URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2023; 83:127911. [PMID: 36987409 PMCID: PMC10030267 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The limited access to urban green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the human-nature interaction in cities and human well-being. Number of visitors to green areas, initially declined due to imposed restrictions, was restored after they were lifted as established by several studies across the globe However, little is still known about changes in behavior and preferences of park visitors in the post-COVID time. In this study, we investigated spatial-temporal patterns of recreational activities in the three urban parks in Moscow (Russia) prior, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown (in 2019 and 2020). The selected parks represent two different types: a centrally located park with much infrastructure and open landscapes (Gorky Park) and parks located at the outskirts of the city center with a more forested landscape and little infrastructure (Timiryazevski and Sokolniki parks). Recreational activities were identified based on the analysis of social media photos using machine-learning algorithms. As expected, park closures during lockdown resulted in overall decrease in the number of taken photos. After the parks were re-opened, however, the number of photos did not grow immediately. The number of photos only restored after almost three months, and the visiting peak shifted to autumn. Differences between parks were related to the type of the park and its landscape structure. The lowest decrease in the number of photos was observed for the Timiryazevsky park - a semi-natural green area, while the centrally located Gorky Park was the most affected, likely due to the strictest control measures. In comparison to 2019, photos in 2020 were more evenly distributed across the area in all the three parks. Besides, 'natural' areas became the main attractors for the visitors - photos under 'nature observation' category became the most popular. Spatial distribution of the recreational activities in post-lockdown period was characterized by larger distances between photos, likely corresponding to the social distancing. COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the value of green areas for citizens, but also changed their recreational preferences and overall behavior in parks. The observed shift from high density of visitors around entertainments and attractions in 2019 to a more homogeneous and less dense distribution along the natural zones in 2020 reveals a new pattern in visitors behavior and preference, which shall be considered in spatial planning of the parks. Increasing availability of natural green areas and their integration in urban green infrastructures can become the most relevant policy to consider the crucial role of urban nature as a source of resilience in turbulent times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Matasov
- Smart Urban Nature Research Center, Agrarian-technological Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, Moscow 117198, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology, Higher School of Economics (HSE University), 11 Pokrovsky boulevard, 109028 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Viacheslav Vasenev
- Smart Urban Nature Research Center, Agrarian-technological Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, Moscow 117198, Russian Federation
- Soil Geography and Landscape Group, Wageningen University, 6708PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dmitrii Matasov
- BestPlace LLC, Leninskaya Sloboda street, 26/28, Moscow 115280, Russian Federation
| | - Yury Dvornikov
- Smart Urban Nature Research Center, Agrarian-technological Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, Moscow 117198, Russian Federation
- Laboratory of carbon monitoring in terrestrial ecosystems, Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems of Soil Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya str., 2 142290, Pushchino
| | - Anna Filyushkina
- Smart Urban Nature Research Center, Agrarian-technological Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, Moscow 117198, Russian Federation
| | | | - Magomed Nakhaev
- Kadyrov Chechen State University, 32 Sheripova st., Grozny, Chechen Republic 364093, Russian Federation
| | - Anastasia Konstantinova
- Smart Urban Nature Research Center, Agrarian-technological Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, Moscow 117198, Russian Federation
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Grigoletto A, Toselli S, Zijlema W, Marquez S, Triguero-Mas M, Gidlow C, Grazuleviciene R, Van de Berg M, Kruize H, Maas J, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. Restoration in mental health after visiting urban green spaces, who is most affected? Comparison between good/poor mental health in four European cities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 223:115397. [PMID: 36740152 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the association between green space and health, and one of these is the restoration theory, based on the idea that it is possible to increase mental health and decrease stress visiting a natural environment. The aims of the present study were to understand what activities are most related to restoration and if these are the same for people with poorer and better mental health. A questionnaire was administered in four European cities and data about restoration outcomes, type of activity carried out in green spaces and mental health were collected and analyzed. A cross sectional design was used and total of 3134 respondents participated to the questionnaire. The restoration experience was measured with the restoration outcome score, and the mental health was evaluated with a subscale related to mental health of the Medical Outcome Short Form. Participants were divided in two groups according to mental health score. A multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between mental health, type of activity and restoration. The cities showed a similar trend in the association between restoration and type of activity performed in green environment. People with poorer mental health seem to be more sensitive to the positive effect of visiting the green environment and restoration was more evident in these people than in those with better mental health. At the same time, the type of activity was less evident in people with better mental health, and they seemed to be less influenced by the visiting of green space. Green prescription is important for the entire population: people with poorer mental health could have important restorative effects and people with better mental health could continue to protect their well-being using green space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Grigoletto
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Toselli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921, Rimini, Italy.
| | - Wilma Zijlema
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), ISGlobal, Carrer del Dr.Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Marquez
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), ISGlobal, Carrer del Dr.Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Margarita Triguero-Mas
- Mariana Arcaya's Research Lab, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Christopher Gidlow
- Centre for Health and Development, Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DF, UK
| | - Regina Grazuleviciene
- Department of Environmental Science, Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas, 44248, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Magdalena Van de Berg
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre (VUMC), 1007, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hanneke Kruize
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Jolanda Maas
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre (VUMC), 1007, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), ISGlobal, Carrer del Dr.Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
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van Eeden LM, Francis L, Squires ZE, Hames F, Bekessy SA, Smith L, Hatty M. Demographic and spatial variables associated with spending time in nature during COVID-19 lockdowns. URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2023; 82:127895. [PMID: 36919044 PMCID: PMC9985542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) governments around the world implemented lockdowns restricting public travel. In the Australian state of Victoria, this included limiting permitted reasons for leaving home and restricting movements to within a 5 km radius of one's home. In 2020, we conducted a state-wide survey (N = 1024) of Victorians that coincided with a lockdown. We asked respondents where they had spent time in nature and how they perceived lockdowns affected the amount of time they spent in nature. We then considered demographic and spatial predictors of spending more or less time in nature. Women, younger people, and those living in areas with higher socio-economic status were likely to report spending more time in nature. Closer proximity of residents to parks and waterways and higher proportional area of native vegetation within a 1-km radius were also associated with more time in nature. Understanding how different groups were affected by restrictions on access to nature can help improve government management of crises like pandemics, including through urban planning for green space, supporting improved individual and societal resilience. We discuss the implications of our findings for improving access to nature during lockdowns as well as opportunities for a post-pandemic relationship with nature, particularly in urban settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily M van Eeden
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
- ICON Science Research Group, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lachlan Francis
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zoe E Squires
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fern Hames
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah A Bekessy
- ICON Science Research Group, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liam Smith
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melissa Hatty
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
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9
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Lin BB, Chang CC, Astell-Burt T, Feng X, Gardner J, Andersson E. Nature experience from yards provide an important space for mental health during Covid-19. NPJ URBAN SUSTAINABILITY 2023; 3:14. [PMID: 36919093 PMCID: PMC9999340 DOI: 10.1038/s42949-023-00094-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Urban dwellers' use of public and private green spaces may have changed during the early years of the Covid-19 pandemic due to movement restriction. A survey was deployed in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia 1 year after the start of Covid-19 restrictions (April 2021) to explore relationships of mental health and wellbeing to different patterns of private yard versus public green space visitation. More frequent yard use during the initial year of Covid-19 was correlated with lower stress, depression, and anxiety and higher wellbeing. However, greater duration of yard visits (week prior to survey) was associated with higher stress, anxiety, and depression scores, potentially because individuals may seek to use nature spaces immediately available for emotional regulation during difficult times. The results highlight the importance of yards for mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic and that relationships between nature interaction and mental health may be context and timeframe dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda B. Lin
- CSIRO Land & Water, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001 Australia
| | - Chia-chen Chang
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Sydney, NSW Australia
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - John Gardner
- CSIRO Land & Water, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001 Australia
| | - Erik Andersson
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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10
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Lin BB, Andersson E. A Transdisciplinary Framework to Unlock the Potential Benefits of Green Spaces for Urban Communities Under Changing Contexts. Bioscience 2023; 73:196-205. [PMID: 37213204 PMCID: PMC10198791 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
New urban models increasingly seek to create more sustainable, livable, and healthier cities by reinvigorating green space. In this article, we highlight and briefly review several main but disconnected areas of study in which the factors that frame human-environment interactions and therefore also influence the potential well-being outcomes of those interactions are studied. We then use the intersection of affordance theory and socio-institutional programming to provide a conceptual framework that ties together these spheres of research, and we discuss some critical keys for enabling different positive green space experiences. Urban communities are not homogeneous, and accounting for the intersection between individual differences and landscape programming opens up more diverse pathways for affording positive human-environment interactions and different well-being outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda B Lin
- CSIRO Land and Water, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Erik Andersson
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
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11
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Lin BB, Chang CC, Andersson E, Astell-Burt T, Gardner J, Feng X. Visiting Urban Green Space and Orientation to Nature Is Associated with Better Wellbeing during COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3559. [PMID: 36834254 PMCID: PMC9959264 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043559] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely challenged mental health and wellbeing. However, research has consistently reinforced the value of spending time in green space for better health and wellbeing outcomes. Factors such as an individual's nature orientation, used to describe one's affinity to nature, may influence an individual's green space visitation behaviour, and thus influence the wellbeing benefits gained. An online survey in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia (n = 2084), deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2021), explores if nature experiences and nature orientation are positively associated with personal wellbeing and if increased amounts of nature experiences are associated with improvement in wellbeing in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that both yard and public green space visitation, as well as nature orientation scores, were correlated with high personal wellbeing scores, and individuals who spent more time in green space compared to the previous year also experienced a positive change in their health and wellbeing. Consistently, people with stronger nature orientations are also more likely to experience positive change. We also found that age was positively correlated to a perceived improvement in wellbeing over the year, and income was negatively correlated with a decreased change in wellbeing over the year, supporting other COVID-19 research that has shown that the effects of COVID-19 lifestyle changes were structurally unequal, with financially more established individuals experiencing better wellbeing. Such results highlight that spending time in nature and having high nature orientation are important for gaining those important health and wellbeing benefits and may provide a buffer for wellbeing during stressful periods of life that go beyond sociodemographic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda B. Lin
- CSIRO Land & Water, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Chia-chen Chang
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 94720, USA
| | - Erik Andersson
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 114 19 Stockholm, Sweden
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - John Gardner
- CSIRO Land & Water, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
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12
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Li H, Ding Y, Zhao B, Xu Y, Wei W. Effects of immersion in a simulated natural environment on stress reduction and emotional arousal: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1058177. [PMID: 36698558 PMCID: PMC9869155 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1058177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although the mental health benefits of exposure to simulated natural environments are well established by researchers from environmental psychology, landscape architecture, and public health, it is unclear whether and to what extent technological immersion affects these benefits. Methods Systematical literature searches were conducted in May 2022 from six databases. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool 2.0 and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool. We performed a random-effects meta-regression to investigate the heterogeneity. The immersion levels of included studies were classified by projection devices and motion capture, and then subgroup analysis was conducted. Results Twenty-six publications were included. Exposure to simulated nature was confirmed to be associated with increased positive affect 0.40 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.58], vigor 0.58 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.86), calmness 0.54 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.92) and decreased perceived stress -0.38 (95% CI: -0.71, -0.06), total mood disturbance -0.87 (95% CI: -1.17, -0.57), tension -0.70 (95% CI: -0.99, -0.41), fatigue -0.60 (95% CI: -0.91, -0.28), anxiety -0.72 (95% CI: -1.43, -0.02), depression -0.33 (95% CI: -0.52, -0.14), confusion -0.79 (95% CI: -1.19, -0.40), and anger -0.54 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.31). Gender, health status, study design, mean age, and single exposure duration were not significant when entered in a meta-regression. For positive affect, medium immersion was observed to produce a larger effect than low and high immersion. All included studies had a moderate to high risk of bias. Conclusion Audio-visual exposure to simulated nature contributes to stress relief and emotional arousal. The immersion level explains the heterogeneity of positive affect triggered by simulated nature. Focusing on the technical features will open up new possibilities for combining actual and simulated nature's mental health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyi Li
- The College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujun Ding
- The College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Zhao
- The College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuhang Xu
- The College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Wei
- The College of Environmental Science, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Wei Wei, ✉
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13
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Uebel K, Rhodes JR, Wilson K, Dean AJ. Urban park soundscapes: Spatial and social factors influencing bird and traffic sound experiences. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Uebel
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | - Jonathan R. Rhodes
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Kerrie Wilson
- School of Biology and Environmental Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Angela J. Dean
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
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14
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Zhang S, Li X, Chen Z, Ouyang Y. A bibliometric analysis of the study of urban green spaces and health behaviors. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1005647. [PMID: 36225786 PMCID: PMC9548633 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1005647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Urban green space can supply a range of ecosystem services and general health benefits for people. This paper reviewed and analyzed 607 papers related to urban green space and health behaviors from 2002 to 2021 in the Web of Science core collection by using Citespace 6.1.R2 software. The scientifically bibliometric analysis and visual analysis were conducted to analyze the basic characteristics, literature co-citation analysis, research hotspots, and frontier trends. The findings show that 11 co-citation clusters indicate the research intellectual base. Also, 19 main keywords with a high frequency and 20 main keywords with a high centrality were extracted. Burst detection analysis reveals three research frontier trends: the correlation between urban green space and health behavior; the driving and impact factors; and the study of environmental justice and social equity. This paper aims to systematically review the progress and basic situation of urban green spaces and health behaviors research around the world, which helps to gain a comprehensive understanding of this field, as well as provide value and references for subsequent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sining Zhang
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Sining Zhang
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhanglei Chen
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Ouyang
- Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
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15
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John EE, Astell-Burt T, Yu P, Brennan-Horley C, Feng X. Green Space and Inequities in Healthy Ageing: Are Grasses Greener on the Socioeconomically Advantaged Side? ECOPSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1089/eco.2021.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eme Eseme John
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), New South Wales, Australia
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Ping Yu
- Centre for IT Enabled Transformation, School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Chris Brennan-Horley
- School of Geography and Sustainable Communities, Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space (ACCESS), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), New South Wales, Australia
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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16
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Ueno Y, Kato S, Mase T, Funamoto Y, Hasegawa K. Human Flow Dataset Reveals Changes in Citizens’ Outing Behaviors including Greenspace Visits before and during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kanazawa, Japan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148728. [PMID: 35886580 PMCID: PMC9322878 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Greenspaces, including parks, provide various socio-ecological benefits such as for aesthetics, temperature remediation, biodiversity conservation, and outdoor recreation. The health benefits of urban greenspaces have received particular attention since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has triggered various movement restrictions and lifestyle changes, including regarding the frequency of people’s visits to greenspaces. Using mobile-tracking GPS data of Kanazawa citizens, we explored how citizens’ behaviors with respect to outings changed before and during Japan’s declaration of a COVID-19 state of emergency (April–May 2020). We also examined citizens’ greenspace visits in relation to their travel distance from home. We found that Kanazawa citizens avoided going out during the pandemic, with a decrease in the number, time, and distance of outings. As for the means of transportation, the percentage of outings by foot increased on both weekdays and holidays. While citizens refrained from going out, the percentage change of the percentage in large greenspace visits increased very slightly in 2020. As for greenspace visitation in 2020 compared to 2019, we found that citizens generally visited greenspaces closer to their homes, actually increasing visitation of nearby (within 1000 m) greenspaces. This study of how outing behaviors and greenspace use by Kanazawa citizens have changed underscores the value of nearby greenspaces for physical and mental health during movement restrictions under the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ueno
- Faculty of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi 921-8836, Japan; (Y.U.); (T.M.)
| | - Sadahisa Kato
- Faculty of Environmental Studies, Tottori University of Environmental Studies, Tottori 689-1111, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Tomoka Mase
- Faculty of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi 921-8836, Japan; (Y.U.); (T.M.)
| | - Yoji Funamoto
- Fukuyama Consultants Co., Ltd., Tokyo 101-0033, Japan;
- Social Value Incubation Lab., Tokyo 101-0033, Japan
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17
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Zijp A, van Deelen TRD, van den Putte B, Kunst AE, Kuipers MAG. Educational inequalities in exposure to tobacco promotion at the point of sale among adolescents in four Dutch cities. Health Place 2022; 76:102824. [PMID: 35660750 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102824] [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] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess educational differences in adolescents' exposure to tobacco outlets. Data were collected among 312 13-17-year-old non-smoking secondary school students in four Dutch cities. In a smartphone app, exposure (≤10 m from outlet) was measured using GPS and participants reported their educational track (pre-vocational vs. pre-university). Associations were estimated in negative binomial regression models. Mean exposure to tobacco outlet was 16.6 times in 14 days. Pre-vocational education was associated with higher exposure compared to pre-university education (IRR:1.46, 95%CI:1.08-1.98), especially around school (IRR:2.61,95%CI:1.50-4.55). These differences may contribute to socioeconomic inequalities in smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Zijp
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC-University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Tessa R D van Deelen
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC-University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bas van den Putte
- Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018, WV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anton E Kunst
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC-University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mirte A G Kuipers
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC-University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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18
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Individual Momentary Experiences of Neighborhood Public Spaces: Results of a Virtual Environment Based Stated Preference Experiment. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14094938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Although it has become increasingly recognized that the spatial design of public space plays an important role in the perceived quality of the built environment by users, there is still little known about the influences of specific attributes on individuals’ experiences. Therefore, this study aims at (1) identifying the factors underlying momentary experiences in public space given both cognitive (satisfaction) and affective (emotion) responses and (2) understanding the experiences as a function of green and design attributes and analyzing the heterogeneity in preferences. To achieve the research goals, this study innovatively introduced an online video-based stated preference experiment. A national sample of 316 individuals from the Netherlands were invited to complete the experiment. The results of a factor analysis indicate that the momentary experiences of the environments presented can be reduced to a single preference dimension capturing the cognitive as well as affective elements of experiences. The results of a latent class regression analysis furthermore show that there is substantial heterogeneity on how attributes are experienced. Three classes emerge which differ in terms of satisfaction with life and satisfaction with availability of green in the current living environment on dwelling, neighborhood, and city level. Presence of trees, vertical green on façades, and grass surfaces were found to be most important for individuals’ experiences generally. The paper provides a new understanding of how spatial attributes in neighborhood public spaces can influence individuals’ momentary experiences. For cities pursuing both greenification and densification, this study offers quantitative evidence to support the selection of design attributes of neighborhood public spaces which can evoke positive experiences.
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19
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Colléony A, Clayton S, Shwartz A. Impacts of nature deprivations during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pre-post comparison. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2022; 268:109520. [PMID: 35308780 PMCID: PMC8924002 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nature provides a myriad of intangible and non-material services to people. However, urbanites are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. The consequences of this progressive disconnection from nature remain difficult to measure as this process is slow and long-term monitoring or large-scale manipulation on nature experiences are scarce. Measures to contain the spread of the recent COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., lockdowns) have potentially reduced or even suppressed nature experiences in cities. This situation provided an opportunity for conducting a longitudinal study that can serve as a sort of natural experiment to quantify the effects of nature deprivation on individuals' health, well-being and relationship to nature. We collected data on these variables from the same individuals inhabiting a large metropolis (Tel Aviv, Israel) twice, in 2018 (before) and during the lockdown in 2020. Our results confirmed that frequency, duration and quality of nature interactions dropped during the lockdown, while environmental attitudes and affinity towards nature remained similar. This was particularly true for people living in the least green neighborhoods, where a significant decrease in personal and social well-being was also found. Finally, affinity towards nature influenced well-being through nature experiences in 2018. The mediation effect was not significant in 2020, probably due to the decrease in nature experiences during the lockdown, but the direct relationship between affinity towards nature and well-being remained strong. These results provide insights into the means required to align the public health and conservation agendas to safeguard urbanites' health and well-being during a pandemic and mitigate the biodiversity crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Colléony
- Human and Biodiversity Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Susan Clayton
- Department of Psychology, College of Wooster, 1189 Beall Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691, United States
| | - Assaf Shwartz
- Human and Biodiversity Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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20
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Generating Inclusive Health Benefits from Urban Green Spaces: An Empirical Study of Beijing Olympic Forest Park. BUILDINGS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings12040397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Nature proximity contributes to improving many people’s health. In urban areas, how to increase the gaining of health benefits from urban green space (UGS) has gradually become a topic of concern for urban planners and public health practitioners. However, studies that can make causal inferences and evidence from developing countries and societies are still limited, and little has been done to address the issue of equity. Using data gathered in face-to-face surveys from 997 visitors to the Beijing Olympic Forest Park, we applied the instrumental variable approach to analyze park visit benefits to human physical and mental health, and explore ways that can help motivate visits and enhance equitable use. The results show that the overweight had more frequent visits, indicating that people with less-than-ideal health status might feel the urgency in improving their health and choose to engage in more recreation. In this sense, UGS showed a tendency to provide means for a certain group of people to proactively improve health. The study also solidifies the mid-term stress-relieving effect of park recreation that increased with visiting frequency, and found that visits to different types of UGS should all be beneficial, and do not have to be to large green parks. While distance is a decisive factor in encouraging UGS visits, route friendliness was found to have a complementing role, implying that creating routes to UGS that are more conducive to non-motorized travel (walking and cycling) could be seen as an important instrument. Both the incentives to park visitation and stress-relieving effect are more pronounced in elder groups, indicating higher potentials of such an approach in cities with an aging population. In terms of equity, differences in knowledge and income levels associated with use levels indicated inequitable use. To promote inclusiveness, the policy could start by increasing people’s recognition of health benefits derived from UGS recreation through for example publicity programs. The study could bring implications for planning practitioners to leverage health potentials from increased and equitable use of UGS. Limitations of the study includes: (1) given the nature of cross-sectional data, the possibility of two-way causality cannot be ruled out, and (2) the study was conducted in one park and only park visitors were surveyed. In the future, researchers could consider conducting multi-period surveys, and to look at the city level to include all kinds of recreational UGS, and, if possible, to cover all residents.
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21
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The Improvement of User Satisfaction for Two Urban Parks in Dubai, UAE: Bay Avenue Park and Al Ittihad Park. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14063460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The population of Dubai has increased dramatically in the last 40 years. Along with social changes, neighborhood parks are becoming increasingly important for enhancing the residents’ quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the physical environment of parks and investigate park users’ satisfaction in neighborhood parks of Dubai. After defining the park and surrounding environment for access, a field survey was performed at Bay Avenue Park and Al Ittihad Park. The data for analysis were collected from the Department of Geographical Information System (GIS) Center at Dubai Municipality. The results show that the standard duration was 60–90 min, and the walking/driving time was 10–20 min. “Children Facility” and “Various Attractions” were low in both parks. The statistical results of multiple regression analysis of the derived factors and satisfaction show that Bay Avenue Park influenced satisfaction in the surrounding environment for access, pedestrian space, park facility, convenience and comfort of the park, and various attractions and activities. Furthermore, Al Ittihad Park influenced satisfaction in pedestrian space, green landscape, surrounding environment for access, park facilities, and safe access. Therefore, factors such as park facilities, surrounding environment for access, and pedestrian space were analyzed to affect satisfaction in both parks. The analysis of the surrounding environment for access factors using GIS would methodologically help determine priorities for future improvements around parks. However, this study is limited by the scope and investigation period of the target parks, and detailed factors related to the surrounding environment for access are also not evaluated.
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22
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Does Spending Time in Nature Help Students Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic? SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14042401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our economy, social lives, and mental health, and it therefore provides a unique chance for researchers to examine how people cope with changes to their everyday activities. Research suggests that people may be spending more time in nature than they did pre-pandemic. The current study sheds light on how nature is being used to cope with the stresses of the global health crisis and lockdowns. Canadian undergraduate students (N = 559) filled out a questionnaire during the fall of 2020 about their pandemic experience, including their affects, life satisfaction, and feelings of flourishing and vitality, in addition to a wide variety of nature variables. The weekly exposures, the perceived increases or decreases in the exposure to nature during the pandemic, and the feelings of connectedness (nature relatedness) were assessed. Those who felt like they were spending more time in nature than they did pre-pandemic experienced more subjective well-being. Nature-related individuals were more likely to access nature and to appreciate it more during the pandemic than others, but all people (even those less connected) experienced well-being benefits from spending more time in nature. Going into nature appears to be an increasingly popular and effective coping strategy to boost or maintain subjective well-being during the pandemic.
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23
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Chang CC, Cox DTC, Fan Q, Nghiem TPL, Tan CLY, Oh RRY, Lin BB, Shanahan DF, Fuller RA, Gaston KJ, Carrasco LR. People's desire to be in nature and how they experience it are partially heritable. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001500. [PMID: 35113853 PMCID: PMC8812842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nature experiences have been linked to mental and physical health. Despite the importance of understanding what determines individual variation in nature experience, the role of genes has been overlooked. Here, using a twin design (TwinsUK, number of individuals = 2,306), we investigate the genetic and environmental contributions to a person's nature orientation, opportunity (living in less urbanized areas), and different dimensions of nature experience (frequency and duration of public nature space visits and frequency and duration of garden visits). We estimate moderate heritability of nature orientation (46%) and nature experiences (48% for frequency of public nature space visits, 34% for frequency of garden visits, and 38% for duration of garden visits) and show their genetic components partially overlap. We also find that the environmental influences on nature experiences are moderated by the level of urbanization of the home district. Our study demonstrates genetic contributions to individuals' nature experiences, opening a new dimension for the study of human-nature interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Chen Chang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel T C Cox
- Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Qiao Fan
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Claudia L Y Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rachel Rui Ying Oh
- School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brenda B Lin
- CSIRO Land & Water Flagship, Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia
| | - Danielle F Shanahan
- Centre for People and Nature, Zealandia Ecosanctuary, Wellington, New Zealand.,Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Richard A Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kevin J Gaston
- Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - L Roman Carrasco
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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24
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Wang S, Li T, Li D, Cheng H. Contributions of park constructions to residents' demands of ecosystem services consumption: A case study of urban public parks in Beijing. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259661. [PMID: 34910723 PMCID: PMC8673618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban public parks can provide convenience for residents to get close to nature and provide places for daily ecosystem services. It is of practical and theoretical significance to choose urban public parks as the entry point to explore the changing trends and supply paths of urban residents' daily ecosystem service consumption. Based on the government 's research? of urban public parks in Beijing from 1993 to 2018, this study explores the residents' ecosystem services consumption demands and the contributions of park constructions to these demands. The results show that: (1) in the past 25 years, the frequency, duration, participation rate, and evaluation of people's daily ecosystem service consumption have increased significantly. In other words, the ecosystem services demands are increasing. (2) different constructions of a park have distinct contributions to the increasing demands of ecosystem service consumption. The contributions from constructions of the natural landscape and the infrastructure have been in decline since 1993, yet they contribute the most to the demands of residents' ecosystem services consumption until 2018. The contributions made by constructions of management and maintenance, and transportation around urban public parks have been on the rise and the significant points occurring after the 2008 Olympic Games. Our research proposes a method to determine the relation between the demands of residents' ecosystem services consumption and the contributions of park constructions to these demands, which has significant implications for optimizing the constructions of urban public parks to better meet the demands of ecosystem services consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibo Wang
- Research Institute for Eco-civilization CASS, Beijing, 100028, China
| | - Tingwei Li
- Department of data research, Beijing E-Hualu Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100430, China
| | - Dongdong Li
- Department of Marxism, North China University of Technology, Beijing, 100144, China
| | - Hong Cheng
- Department of data research, Beijing E-Hualu Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100430, China
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25
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da Schio N, Phillips A, Fransen K, Wolff M, Haase D, Ostoić SK, Živojinović I, Vuletić D, Derks J, Davies C, Lafortezza R, Roitsch D, Winkel G, De Vreese R. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of and attitudes towards urban forests and green spaces: Exploring the instigators of change in Belgium. URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING 2021; 65:127305. [PMID: 35719740 PMCID: PMC9188820 DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted our society, producing drastic changes in people's routines and daily mobility, and putting public spaces under a new light. This paper starts with the premise that the use of urban forests and green spaces - where and for who they were available and accessible - increased, when social restrictions were most stringent. It takes an explorative approach to examine changes in attitude towards urban forests and urban green spaces in terms of attraction (i.e., as the actual use behaviour), intended use (i.e., intention of going to green spaces), and civic engagement in relation to green spaces. In particular, it analyses the responses to a survey of 1987 respondents in Belgium and statistically examines the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, urbanisation characteristics, actual and intended green space use, and changes in attitudes towards green spaces and civic engagement. The findings show that highly educated citizens experienced an increase in actual and intended use of green spaces during the pandemic, but that this increase differs among sociodemographic profiles such as impact of age or access to private green, and depends on their local built environment characteristics. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted citizens' attitudes, as well as (intended) behaviour and civil engagement with respect to the green spaces in their area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Koos Fransen
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
- Ghent University, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Ivana Živojinović
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria
- European Forest Institute, Forest Policy Research Network, Finland
| | | | - Jakob Derks
- European Forest Institute, Forest Policy Research Network, Finland
| | - Clive Davies
- European Forest Institute, Forest Policy Research Network, Finland
- Newcastle University, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dennis Roitsch
- European Forest Institute, Forest Policy Research Network, Finland
| | - Georg Winkel
- European Forest Institute, Forest Policy Research Network, Finland
| | - Rik De Vreese
- Ghent University, Belgium
- European Forest Institute, Forest Policy Research Network, Finland
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26
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Greenspace to Meet People’s Demand: A Case Study of Beijing in 2005 and 2015. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13214310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urban greenspace provides essential benefits and often depends on its distribution and spatial relationship with residents. Many cities set ambitious goals to increase the coverage of greenspace. In addition, to increase the total amount of greenspace, spatial patterns of greenspace supply and demand also need to be taken into account to make sure its ecosystem services can reach the residents. While previous research has examined greenspace distribution, its association with various ecosystem services, and its spatial relationship with residents’ socioeconomic characteristics, relatively few studies have considered the spatial pattern of greenspace demand to assess its supply change over time. To fill this gap, we evaluated the greenspace change of Beijing between 2005 and 2015 using 2.5 m and 0.5 m high resolution remote sensing images. We first identified all of the greenspace changes, then evaluated the improvement of greenspace that was accessible to residents, and finally, we examined whether such improvement met different levels of demand estimated by neighborhood population, age structure, and economic status. The results showed a net increase of 1472 ha (7.8%) from 2005 to 2015. On average, percent greenspace within 500 m of the neighborhood boundary increased from 21% to 24%. Areas with low greenspace supply had a significantly higher increase. The standard deviation reduced from 8% to 7%, which indicated a smaller disparity of accessible greenspace. However, results showed that greenspace increase had little variation among neighborhoods with different demand levels. Our findings indicated that the greening efforts improved spatial distribution and reduced inequality in accessibility but failed to address different demand levels among neighborhoods. Furthermore, we identified neighborhoods with low supply/high demand and that lost greenspace between 2005–2015. These neighborhoods need to be given attention in future greening projects.
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Pinto L, Ferreira CSS, Pereira P. Environmental and socioeconomic factors influencing the use of urban green spaces in Coimbra (Portugal). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 792:148293. [PMID: 34147815 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Urban green spaces (UGS) deliver a wide range of regulating, provisioning and cultural ecosystem services (CES), relevant to support the achievement of some United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., Goal 11: sustainable cities and communities, and Goal 3: good health and well-being). However, knowledge of preferences and uses of UGS by urban dwellers is still lacking. This study assesses the CES perceived by different users in five distinct urban parks located in Coimbra, Portugal: Manuel Braga (secular park), Botanical garden, Choupal national forest, Mondego green park (large area placed next to the river), and Vale das Flores (linear park located in a residential area). A questionnaire survey was performed in each park to investigate the activities performed and their relevance for the users, users' motivations to develop the activities on that specific UGS, the perceived benefits regarding physical and emotional well-being and social interactions, and users' perception about disservices. The results showed that walking, meeting people, practicing and doing activities with children are the activities performed by most users and are perceived as beneficial for physical and emotional well-being. Multifunctionality is a characteristic of all parks and highly appreciated by the users. Significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics of the users and motivations are recorded between parks. The tranquillity of space and landscape beauty are the main motivations to use Manuel Braga Park and the Botanical garden. Distance to the park and transportation means are particularly important for Botanical garden and Vale das Flores park users. Age group and average monthly income were associated in both Choupal national forest, Mondego green park and Vale das Flores park, denoting that older and wealthier users are more able to enjoy these parks. Users' problems or ecosystem disservices were not identified, although plagues (e.g., mosquitoes) and dangerous animals recorded average concerns in the Choupal national forest and in the Vale das Flores and Mondego green parks. This work's findings can help decision-makers better understand users' needs and expectations, thus improving UGS design and management to attract more citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Pinto
- Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Agrarian Technical School, Coimbra, Portugal; Environmental Management Laboratory, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Carla S S Ferreira
- Department of Physical Geography and Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden; Navarino Environmental Observatory, 24001 Messinia, Greece; Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Agrarian Technical School, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Paulo Pereira
- Environmental Management Laboratory, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Mueller MAE, Flouri E. Urban Adolescence: The Role of Neighbourhood Greenspace in Mental Well-Being. Front Psychol 2021; 12:712065. [PMID: 34603136 PMCID: PMC8481593 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.712065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental health and well-being in adolescence are associated with many short- and long-term outcomes. The evidence suggests that greenspace may play a role in adolescents' mental well-being, but we do not know much about the specifics of this link. In this paper, we investigated the role of other factors in the association. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the role of neighbourhood greenspace in emotional and behavioural outcomes in 11-year-old urban adolescents participating in the UK Millennium Cohort Study (n = 4,534). We used linear regression models to test for an association of greenspace with self-esteem, happiness, positive mood, negative mood, and antisocial behaviour. We also investigated effect modification/moderation by garden access, physical activity, and perceived area safety. We did not find a main effect of greenspace, but we did find interaction effects. First, in adolescents without a garden, higher levels of greenspace were associated with lower levels of self-esteem and positive mood. Second, in adolescents who reported lower levels of physical activity, higher levels of greenspace were associated with lower levels of negative mood. Third, in adolescents who perceived their areas to be unsafe, higher levels of greenspace were associated with higher levels of antisocial behaviour. Our findings suggest that merely more greenspace in the neighbourhood may not be sufficient to promote the mental well-being of urban adolescents in the UK. However, greenspace does seem to have an influence under certain conditions which should be investigated further in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie A E Mueller
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eirini Flouri
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Public Perception of Biodiversity: A Literature Review of Its Role in Urban Green Spaces. JOURNAL OF LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/jlecol-2021-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The significance of biodiversity in the survival of human beings and enhancing the urban quality of life is evident from the empirical measurements and qualitative studies carried out across the globe. Despite its importance and value, burgeoning population and growing urbanization are posing a serious threat to biodiversity leading to biodiversity homogenization and ecosystem fragmentation. Moreover, studies reveal that management practices of biodiversity hardly take into account perception, needs, and knowledge of urban residents regarding biodiversity. Urban green spaces have a major role to play in the conservation of urban biodiversity. However, the triangular relationship between biodiversity, urban green spaces, and public perception is still unexplored.
With this aim, the paper attempts to compile, analyze, and synthesize the empirical findings to understand the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding public perception of biodiversity in urban green spaces. The search strategy acquired for the selection of papers resulted in 43 papers from 22 different countries of the world. The paper focuses upon an inclusive definition of urban green spaces, thus encompasses a wide variety of urban and peri-urban green spaces, parks, gardens, and waterfront urban spaces. The analysis of literature pattern reveals a recent increase in studies related to biodiversity perception over the last 10 years. It indicates a strong geographic bias in publications as well. Studies of animals including birds, insects, and reptiles are found scarce compared to plant species. The study could identify potential variables affecting human biodiversity perception which include species literacy, visitation rate, preferences, recreational, health, and restorative benefits, vegetation characteristics, nature connectedness, and conservation support. The paper also proposes a framework for understanding biodiversity perception in urban green spaces that can assist in improving our understanding of the relationship between human interactions and natural environments and framing strategies for urban development, landscape planning, and community health promotions.
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Reeves JP, John CHD, Wood KA, Maund PR. A Qualitative Analysis of UK Wetland Visitor Centres as a Health Resource. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168629. [PMID: 34444378 PMCID: PMC8392124 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The health benefits associated with spending time in natural environments have been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and restrictions to safeguard public health have exacerbated the pre-existing mental health crisis and rise of non-communicable diseases. Thus, the importance of nature as a health resource has been elevated, hastening calls for a better understanding of how health benefits might differ across user groups and nature provisions. In this regard, urban green spaces have become the greatest research focus; however, blue spaces, especially inland freshwater (e.g., wetlands), remain less studied. First-hand user experiences are also under-represented. This exploratory study examines the motivations and benefits of active wetland centre users in the UK, both during and after visits. Responses to three open-ended questions were collated online from 385 participants, and a qualitative content analysis was conducted based on an existing taxonomy from users of urban green spaces. The results showed strong motivations to visit due to the biodiversity at the site (mainly the birdlife), while less tangible nature (e.g., fresh air) and amenities were also important. In contrast to other studies on natural environments, physical activity was a less influential motivation. Salient derived effects included positive and intensely positive emotions, relaxation and mental restoration. After visits to wetland centres, feelings of vitality and satisfaction were the most prominent effects that emerged. For decision-makers looking to leverage inland blue spaces for public health benefit, our results highlight the broad range and relative prominence of the reasons for use and the associated perceived health benefits derived by users of UK wetland centres. They highlight how biodiversity, abiotic nature and good amenities are important qualities to consider when planning, managing and encouraging people to use natural environments for health benefit, qualities that may also provide important environmental co-benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P. Reeves
- Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Unit, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BT, UK; (K.A.W.); (P.R.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Conor H. D. John
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Pl, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK; or
| | - Kevin A. Wood
- Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Unit, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BT, UK; (K.A.W.); (P.R.M.)
| | - Phoebe R. Maund
- Ecosystem Health & Social Dimensions Unit, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BT, UK; (K.A.W.); (P.R.M.)
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Lehberger M, Kleih AK, Sparke K. Self-reported well-being and the importance of green spaces - A comparison of garden owners and non-garden owners in times of COVID-19. LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING 2021; 212:104108. [PMID: 36569995 PMCID: PMC9757896 DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on the effects of the use of green spaces on the self-reported well-being measures of life satisfaction and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. We compare two distinct groups of people: garden owners and non-garden owners. We collected quantitative data and data from an open-ended question online from 495 people living in all regions of Germany in May 2020. To analyze our quantitative data, we used a combination of descriptive statistics and hierarchal regressions. Here, results indicated that garden owners had substantially greater life satisfaction and mental well-being than non-garden owners. Additionally, the two groups differed statistically significant in many socioeconomic factors (e.g., income, age, fear of job loss), in the context of time spent outside, as well as personality traits. Our analyses suggest that these differences are valuable for understanding differences between the two groups' self-reported well-being. To analyze the open-ended question, we followed the main steps of a qualitative content analysis. Here, we found that the vast majority of participants associated positive meanings (e.g., freedom and joy) with private gardens and public green spaces during the pandemic. Our findings have implications for policies to promote and support the design and use of public green spaces. Overall, our findings support governmental decisions in Germany (as elsewhere) to keep public green spaces open during the first wave of the outbreak of COVID-19, suggesting that green spaces provide valuable support for self-reported well-being in these difficult times of COVID-19 contagion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Lehberger
- Hochschule Geisenheim University, Department of Fresh Produce Logistics, Professorship of Horticultural Economics, Von Lade Straße 1, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
| | - Anne-Katrin Kleih
- Hochschule Geisenheim University, Department of Fresh Produce Logistics, Professorship of Horticultural Economics, Von Lade Straße 1, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
| | - Kai Sparke
- Hochschule Geisenheim University, Department of Fresh Produce Logistics, Professorship of Horticultural Economics, Von Lade Straße 1, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
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Barbiero G, Berto R. Biophilia as Evolutionary Adaptation: An Onto- and Phylogenetic Framework for Biophilic Design. Front Psychol 2021; 12:700709. [PMID: 34367025 PMCID: PMC8334556 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.700709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biophilia is a human personality trait described initially by Erich Fromm and later by E.O. Wilson, both of whom agree that biophilia has a biological basis and that it is fundamental to develop harmonious relationships between humans and the biosphere. This review aims at establishing a definition of biophilia as an evolutionary process. To this end, the most significant studies of evolutionary psychology were considered, to outline the fundamental characteristics of a hypothetical biophilic temperament/personality and to reconstruct a plausible history of biophilia as an evolutionary process. This process considers different typologies of Nature (wilderness, rural, and urban) and human cultures (Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Burg) and leads us to consider environmental preference and psycho-physiological recovery in relation to the threshold of time spent in contact with Nature. Unfortunately, modern people, especially children, lack direct and frequent contact with Nature and this can have negative consequences on their physical and mental health. Biophilic design, considering the evolutionary roots of this architectural approach, is an effective way of planning/designing interior and urban environments to stimulate the innate biophilia of the individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Barbiero
- GREEN LEAF - Groupe de Recherche en Education à l'Environnement et à la Nature, Laboratorio di Ecologia Affettiva, Università della Valle d'Aosta - Université de la Vallée d'Aoste, Aosta, Italy
| | - Rita Berto
- GREEN LEAF - Groupe de Recherche en Education à l'Environnement et à la Nature, Laboratorio di Ecologia Affettiva, Università della Valle d'Aosta - Université de la Vallée d'Aoste, Aosta, Italy
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The Socioeconomic Welfare of Urban Green Areas and Parks; A Literature Review of Available Evidence. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13147863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urban green areas present a lucid example for the harmonious co-existence of the artificial and natural environments best illustrated by their interdependence and interconnection in urban spaces. Urban green areas are essential for the health and wellbeing of citizens. The present study aimed to investigate those multiple benefits for citizens that arise through the existence of urban green areas, as well as important policy dimensions that should be considered when designing the expansion of urban green spaces in urban development. The study was based on a literature review to examine for available evidence on the benefit levels derived by the existence of urban green areas. An extended literature review was followed by a structured review, based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, which partly followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was conducted in two databases, and a total of 1674 articles and abstracts were identified through the database searches. After removing 114 duplicates, 1560 records were initially screened based on title and abstract. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles were incorporated in the structured review and a total of 47 in the extended review. The extended literature review identified 33 additional articles examining aspects of benefits that did not fall under the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria used in the structured review, such as health benefits and other social parameters associated with urban green spaces. The selected studies were allocated in five principal groups according to study types: three of the them consisted of studies employing “willingness to pay” (WTP) methods, five were based on property values, two studies assigned monetary values, while another two assigned CO2 values, and, finally, two studies were based on qualitative criteria. The results indicated benefits to citizens and increased welfare levels gained by the existence of urban green areas. The conducted review revealed a number of findings and recommendations that could direct future research and urban policy. Those hints could assist local authorities as well as stakeholders in order to measure and assess the benefits of green spaces and urban parks and promote measures and programs to assist their further deployment.
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Poortinga W, Bird N, Hallingberg B, Phillips R, Williams D. The role of perceived public and private green space in subjective health and wellbeing during and after the first peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING 2021; 211:104092. [PMID: 36540159 PMCID: PMC9754643 DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Research has consistently shown that access to parks and gardens is beneficial to people's health and wellbeing. In this paper, we explore the role of both public and private green space in subjective health and wellbeing during and after the first peak of the COVID-19 outbreak that took place in the UK in the first half of 2020. It makes use of the longitudinal COVID-19 Public Experiences (COPE) study, with baseline data collected in March/April 2020 (during the first peak) and follow-up data collected in June/July 2020 (after the first peak) which included an optional module that asked respondents about their home and neighbourhood (n = 5,566). Regression analyses revealed that both perceived access to public green space (e.g. a park or woodland) and reported access to a private green space (a private garden) were associated with better subjective wellbeing and self-rated health. In line with the health compensation hypothesis for green space, private gardens had a greater protective effect where the nearest green space was perceived to be more than a 10-minute walk away. This interaction was however only present during the first COVID-19 peak when severe lockdown restrictions came into place, but not in the post-peak period when restrictions were being eased. The study found few differences across demographic groups. A private garden was relatively more beneficial for men than for women during but not after the first peak. The results suggest that both public and private green space are an important resource for health and wellbeing in times of crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Poortinga
- Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Natasha Bird
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Britt Hallingberg
- Cardiff School of Sport & Health Science, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Rhiannon Phillips
- Cardiff School of Sport & Health Science, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Denitza Williams
- Cardiff School of Sport & Health Science, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
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Attitudes towards Green Urban Space: A Case Study of Two Italian Regions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126442. [PMID: 34198664 PMCID: PMC8296272 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Green spaces are defined as open spaces of ground, covered by vegetation, including parks and gardens. This kind of environment is linked to many positive effects and its importance is growing due to increasing urbanization. Understanding what drives people to use green urban space is fundamental to creating appropriate campaigns to develop the use of such spaces and improve the citizens’ quality of life. A questionnaire on the attitude towards green space was developed and submitted to people from two Italian regions. Emilia-Romagna and Veneto are two regions in the North of Italy with different territorial policies. Three hundred and ten surveys were collected (167 in Emilia-Romagna and 143 in Veneto). Significant differences were observed between regions, age groups and in relation to the kind of work (p < 0.05). People from Emilia-Romagna have higher scores of attitudes towards green space than people from Veneto, underlining the importance of territorial policies. Moreover, younger participants (18–30 years) seem to be less attracted to green urban space. Being an employee seems to influence the attitude towards green space. Particular attention should be given to subjects of the younger age groups and to the number of hours spent at work. This could be an important element for future research, so that political action can be implemented with these categories in mind.
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Berdejo‐Espinola V, Suárez‐Castro AF, Amano T, Fielding KS, Oh RRY, Fuller RA. Urban green space use during a time of stress: A case study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brisbane, Australia. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021; 3:597-609. [PMID: 34151197 PMCID: PMC8207087 DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Spending time in nature is one potential way to cope with the negative physical and psychological health impacts from major stressful life events. In 2020, a large fraction of the global population was impacted by restrictions to contain the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, a period characterised by marked health risks and behavioural changes. Here we explore whether people responded to this stressor by spending more time in nature and investigate the reasons for any changes.We surveyed 1,002 people in Brisbane, Australia in 2020, to measure the change in use of green space during the restrictions period and benefits people associated with visiting them.About 36% of participants increased their urban green space use, but 26% reduced it, indicating a great deal of flux. Furthermore, 45% of the previous non-users of urban green space began using it for the first time during the restrictions period. Older people were less likely to increase their green space use and those with a backyard were more likely to increase their use of green spaces.Participants' change in use occurred regardless of the amount of green space available in close proximity to their households. In addition, we did not find a relationship between nature-relatedness and change in use.People's reasons for green space use shifted during the pandemic-related restrictions period, with many emphasising improvement of personal well-being rather than consolidating community capital. Most participants indicated an increase in the importance of the psychological and physical benefits obtained from urban green spaces.We conclude that increased urban green space use during moments of stress such as the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to ameliorate some of the negative effects of the stressor, but that the capacity and desire to spend more time in green space varies markedly across society. Sufficient urban green space provision for all sections of society will maximise the opportunity to employ a nature-based coping mechanism during times of personal or community stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tatsuya Amano
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQldAustralia
| | - Kelly S. Fielding
- School of Communication and ArtsThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQldAustralia
| | - Rachel Rui Ying Oh
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQldAustralia
| | - Richard A. Fuller
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQldAustralia
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Soga M, Evans MJ, Cox DTC, Gaston KJ. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on human-nature interactions: Pathways, evidence and implications. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021; 3:518-527. [PMID: 34230912 PMCID: PMC8251160 DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the global response have dramatically changed people's lifestyles in much of the world. These major changes, as well as the associated changes in impacts on the environment, can alter the dynamics of the direct interactions between humans and nature (hereafter human-nature interactions) far beyond those concerned with animals as sources of novel human coronavirus infections. There may be a variety of consequences for both people and nature.Here, we suggest a conceptual framework for understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect the dynamics of human-nature interactions. This highlights three different, but not mutually exclusive, pathways: changes in (a) opportunity, (b) capability and (c) motivation.Through this framework, we also suggest that there are several feedback loops by which changes in human-nature interactions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to further changes in these interactions such that the impacts of the pandemic could persist over the long term, including after it has ended.The COVID-19 pandemic, which has had the most tragic consequences, can also be viewed as a 'global natural experiment' in human-nature interactions that can provide unprecedented mechanistic insights into the complex processes and dynamics of these interactions and into possible strategies to manage them to best effect. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Soga
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Maldwyn J. Evans
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Fenner School of Environment and SocietyThe Australian National UniversityCanberraACTAustralia
| | - Daniel T. C. Cox
- Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Kevin J. Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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Astell-Burt T, Feng X. Time for 'Green' during COVID-19? Inequities in Green and Blue Space Access, Visitation and Felt Benefits. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2757. [PMID: 33803166 PMCID: PMC7967263 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesized that visits to green and blue spaces may have enabled respite, connection and exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, but such benefits might have been inequitably distributed due to differences in financial difficulties, opportunities to work from home, and localized restrictions in spatial mobility generated by 'lockdowns'. A nationally representative online and telephone survey conducted in 12-26 October on the Social Research Centre's Life in AustraliaTM panel (aged ≥ 18 y, 78.8% response, N = 3043) asked about access, visitation, and felt benefits from green and/or blue spaces. Increasing financial difficulty was associated with less time in and fewer visits to green and/or blue spaces, as well as fewer different types visited. Financial difficulty was also associated with feelings that visits to green and/or blue space had less benefit for maintaining social connection. Working from home was associated with more frequent and longer visitation to green and/or blue spaces, as well as discovery of ones previously unvisited. Working from home was also associated with increased levels of exercise and respite resulting from visits to green and/or blue spaces. Residents of Melbourne, a city of 4.9 million who were in 'lockdown' at the time of the survey, appeared more likely to benefit from visits to green and/or blue spaces than residents of Sydney, Australia's largest city at 5.2 million, who were not in lockdown. Residents of Melbourne compared with Sydney reported consistently increased visitation of, discovery of, and greater levels of various felt benefits derived from green and/or blue spaces, including more respite, connection, and exercise. Comparatively shorter distances to preferred green and/or blue spaces and closure of alternative settings at the time of the survey completion in Melbourne compared with Sydney may provide partial explanation, though more acute responses to experiencing green and/or blue spaces within highly cognitively demanding antecedent conditions posed by lockdown are also plausible and warrant further investigation with other health indicators. These results were robust to adjustment for a range of covariates including preferences for natural settings, which were consistently associated with greater levels of green and/or blue space visitation and felt benefits. Collectively, these results indicate that parallel efforts to generate (or renew) felt connection to natural settings, to increase working from home opportunities, and to mitigate financial difficulties may be important to help maximize the population health benefits of urban planning strategies intended to improve the availability of, and to reduce inequities in access to, green and blue spaces. Benefits felt more commonly by people living through lockdown underlines the role previous investments in green and blue space have played in enabling coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Astell-Burt
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Peking Union Medical College, The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia;
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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39
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Burnett H, Olsen JR, Nicholls N, Mitchell R. Change in time spent visiting and experiences of green space following restrictions on movement during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative cross-sectional study of UK adults. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e044067. [PMID: 34006030 PMCID: PMC7942249 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Green space positively influences health and well-being; however, inequalities in use of green space are prevalent. Movement restrictions enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic could have exacerbated existing inequalities regarding who visits green space. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how movement restrictions have changed the time spent visiting green space and experience of green space in the United Kingdom (UK) and how these differed by individual-level demographic characteristics. DESIGN AND OUTCOME MEASURES A nationally representative cross-sectional survey administered through YouGov between 30 April and 1 May 2020. Data were collected on the time spent visiting green space and change in the experience of green space, including missing social interaction, increased physical activity and feeling greater mental health benefits in green space. Demographic information was collected on sex, age, ethnicity, social grade and dog ownership. Associations between specific outcome variables and predictors were assessed using logistic regression. SETTING UK, with population weights applied. PARTICIPANTS 2252 adults aged 18 years and over. RESULTS Overall, 63% of respondents reported a decrease in time spent visiting green space following movement restrictions. Lower social grade respondents were less likely to visit green space before and after restrictions were enforced (OR: 0.35 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.51); OR: 0.77 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.95)). Female respondents were more likely than male respondents to agree that green space benefited their mental health more following restrictions (PP: 0.70 vs 0.59). Older (65+ years) respondents were less likely than middle-aged (25-64 years) respondents to have visited green space following the restrictions (OR: 0.79 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.98)). CONCLUSIONS Inequalities in green space use were sustained, and possibly exacerbated, during movement restrictions. Our findings emphasise the importance of green spaces remaining open globally in any future 'lockdowns'/pandemics. Further investigation is required to determine how visit patterns and experiences change through the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Burnett
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jonathan R Olsen
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Natalie Nicholls
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard Mitchell
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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40
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Oh RYR, Fielding KS, Nghiem TPL, Chang C, Shanahan DF, Gaston KJ, Carrasco RL, Fuller RA. Factors influencing nature interactions vary between cities and types of nature interactions. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Ying Rachel Oh
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Kelly S. Fielding
- School of Communication and Arts University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
| | | | - Chia‐Chen Chang
- Department of Biological Sciences National University of Singapore Singapore
| | | | - Kevin J. Gaston
- Environment & Sustainability Institute University of Exeter Cornwall UK
| | - Roman L. Carrasco
- Department of Biological Sciences National University of Singapore Singapore
| | - Richard A. Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland Brisbane Qld Australia
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41
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Ecosystem Service Use and the Motivations for Use in Central Parks in Three European Cities. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10020154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The majority of Europeans live in cities, where parks as components of Urban Green Spaces (UGSs) play an important role in well-being and the provision of ecosystem services (ES). UGSs are especially relevant for the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals “Good health and wellbeing” (Goal 3) and “Sustainable cities and communities” (Goal 11). This study focused on ES use and users’ motives, which were surveyed during visits at central parks in the cities Leipzig, Coimbra and Vilnius. Park visitors used 17 different ES, dominated by physical interactions such as walking or biking, followed by experiential and aesthetical ES and ES linked to social relations. Age of visitors, cultural setting and distance to homes influenced ES use in the parks differently in each city, limiting the transferability of park—user behaviour or motivations across different spatial and cultural contexts. Results also indicate that aligning sustainability objectives and usability, good accessibility of urban parks plays a central role and encourages the use of non-motorized or public transport for park visits. Concrete information about UGS user motivation and behaviour generated in this and similar studies contributes to convert the UN Agenda 2030 strategies at the municipal level into sustainability and user-oriented design and management of UGS.
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42
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Abstract
There is growing evidence that exposure to nature increases human well-being, including in urban areas. However, relatively few studies have linked subjective satisfaction to objective features of the environment. In this study we explore the links among objective environmental features (tree cover, water, and bird diversity) and subjective judgements of satisfaction. We surveyed residents of Ottawa, Canada (n = 1035) about their satisfaction with their local neighbourhoods. We then compared the survey responses to measures of nature near their homes, including bird diversity (number of bird species), tree canopy cover, and distance to water. After controlling for effects of income and subjective happiness, residents’ neighbourhood satisfaction was positively related to the number of bird species nearby, even before participants were prompted to consider nature. Residents’ appreciation of their local neigbourhood relative to others also increased with tree canopy cover and nearness to water. Unsolicited comments from participants following the survey indicated that while residents consciously appreciate trees and water, the relationship between bird diversity and neighbourhood satisfaction appears to be unconscious; very few of the participants mentioned birds. Based on these results, we speculate that a diverse local bird community may provoke feelings of satisfaction through their presence, activity, and songs. Our results create a compelling argument for city planners and individual residents to maintain bird-friendly spaces in urban areas.
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43
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Bashan D, Colléony A, Shwartz A. Urban versus rural? The effects of residential status on species identification skills and connection to nature. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Bashan
- Technion‐Israel Institute of Technology Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning Human and Biodiversity Research Lab Haifa Israel
| | - Agathe Colléony
- Technion‐Israel Institute of Technology Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning Human and Biodiversity Research Lab Haifa Israel
| | - Assaf Shwartz
- Technion‐Israel Institute of Technology Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning Human and Biodiversity Research Lab Haifa Israel
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44
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Błaszczyk M, Suchocka M, Wojnowska-Heciak M, Muszyńska M. Quality of urban parks in the perception of city residents with mobility difficulties. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10570. [PMID: 33384903 PMCID: PMC7751420 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban parks should be inclusive for all. Availability and accessibility of urban parks determine the quality of life in cities. The importance of access increases for residents with limited mobility who, facing obstacles due to inadequate adjustment of the surrounding physical space, are exposed to social exclusion. Five groups of respondents completed a survey questionnaire revealing their attitudes towards green areas and indicating barriers to parks' accessibility. The groups were designed to include blind and vision impaired people, those who use a wheelchair, have a physical disability of any kind, their carers/assistants and parents pushing strollers. The results revealed more similarities than differences among the five groups (the differences included preferences towards the neighbourhood and destination parks, physical barriers in parks, as well as using assistive technology devices and mobile assistive applications). Overall, city residents with mobility difficulties find those green public spaces as an important element of their life quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Błaszczyk
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Suchocka
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Wojnowska-Heciak
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
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Gandy S, Forstmann M, Carhart-Harris RL, Timmermann C, Luke D, Watts R. The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health. Health Psychol Open 2020; 7:2055102920978123. [PMID: 33335742 PMCID: PMC7724423 DOI: 10.1177/2055102920978123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic psychedelic administration and contact with nature have been
associated with the same psychological mechanisms: decreased
rumination and negative affect, enhanced psychological connectedness
and mindfulness-related capacities, and heightened states of awe and
transcendent experiences, all processes linked to improvements in
mental health amongst clinical and healthy populations. Nature-based
settings can have inherently psychologically soothing properties which
may complement all stages of psychedelic therapy (mainly preparation
and integration) whilst potentiating increases in nature relatedness,
with associated psychological benefits. Maximising enhancement of
nature relatedness through therapeutic psychedelic administration may
constitute an independent and complementary pathway towards
improvements in mental health that can be elicited by
psychedelics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Gandy
- Centre for Psychedelic Research,
Imperial College London, UK
- Synthesis Institute, The
Netherlands
- Sam Gandy, Synthesis Institute B.V.,
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 12, 1017 RC Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | - David Luke
- Centre for Psychedelic Research,
Imperial College London, UK
- University of Greenwich, UK
| | - Rosalind Watts
- Centre for Psychedelic Research,
Imperial College London, UK
- Synthesis Institute, The
Netherlands
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46
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Gaston
- Environment & Sustainability Institute University of Exeter Penryn Cornwall UK
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47
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Colléony A, Levontin L, Shwartz A. Promoting meaningful and positive nature interactions for visitors to green spaces. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:1373-1382. [PMID: 33245807 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The increasing alienation of people from nature is profoundly concerning because people's interactions with nature affect well-being, affinity for nature, and support of biodiversity conservation. Efforts to restore or enhance people's interactions with nature are, therefore, important to ensure sustainable human and wildlife communities, but little is known about how this can be achieved. A key factor that shapes the way people interact with nature is their affinity for nature (often measured as nature relatedness [NR]). We explored how using cues to experience nature as a means to induce NR situationally can influence the quality of people's nature interactions on visits to green spaces and their positive affect after the visit. Cues to experience are cues that guide individuals on how to interact with nature. We surveyed 1023 visitors to a nature reserve to examine the relationships between trait (i.e., stable and long-lasting) and state (i.e., temporary, brief) NR, the quality of nature interactions, and positive affect. We also conducted a controlled experiment in which 303 participants spent 30 min outdoors on campus and reported the quality of their nature interactions and positive affect. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 9 cues-to-experience experimental groups (e.g., smell flowers, observe wildlife, turn off your phone) that differed in the psychological distance from nature that they prompted. Participants who received cues of close psychological distance from nature (e.g., smell and touch natural elements) interacted 3 to 4 times more with nature and reported 0.2 more positive affect than other participants. Our results demonstrate that providing cues to experience nature, which bring people closer to nature and potentially induce state NR, can enhance the quality of people's nature interactions and their positive affect. These results highlight the role of NR in high-quality nature interactions and suggest the use of cues to experience as a promising avenue for inducing state NR and promoting meaningful interactions with biodiversity, thus, reconciling conservation and well-being objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Colléony
- Human and Biodiversity Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Liat Levontin
- Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
| | - Assaf Shwartz
- Human and Biodiversity Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel
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Marsh P, Mallick S, Flies E, Jones P, Pearson S, Koolhof I, Byrne J, Kendal D. Trust, Connection and Equity: Can Understanding Context Help to Establish Successful Campus Community Gardens? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17207476. [PMID: 33066596 PMCID: PMC7602408 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Campus community gardens (CCGs) can potentially improve student health and wellbeing, mitigate social and ecological problems, and nurture university-community relationships. However, CCGs are located in complex socio-political and ecological settings and many community gardens struggle or fail. However, few studies have assessed the socio-political/ecological context of a garden setting prior to its development to understand the potential barriers and enablers of success. Our study assessed the socio-spatial context of a proposed CCG at a student university accommodation site. We engaged diverse university and community stakeholders through interviews, focus groups and a survey to explore their perceptions of the space generally and the proposed garden specifically. Visual observations and public life surveying were used to determine patterns of behavior. Results confirmed known problems associated with an underutilized site that provides little opportunity for lingering or contact with nature; and unknown barriers, including socially disconnected stakeholders and community distrust of the university. The research also uncovered positive enablers, such as stakeholder appreciation of the social, wellbeing and ecological benefits that a CCG could deliver. Our findings suggest that an in-depth exploration of a proposed garden context can be an important enabler of its success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Marsh
- Centre for Rural Health, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-3-6226-6905
| | - Suzanne Mallick
- Centre for Rural Health, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia;
| | - Emily Flies
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia;
| | - Penelope Jones
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia;
| | - Sue Pearson
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia; (S.P.); (I.K.)
| | - Iain Koolhof
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia; (S.P.); (I.K.)
| | - Jason Byrne
- School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia; (J.B.); (D.K.)
| | - Dave Kendal
- School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia; (J.B.); (D.K.)
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49
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Oh RRY, Fielding KS, Carrasco RL, Fuller RA. No evidence of an extinction of experience or emotional disconnect from nature in urban Singapore. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Rui Ying Oh
- School of Biological Sciences Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
| | - Kelly S. Fielding
- School of Communication and Arts University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
| | - Román L. Carrasco
- Department of Biological Sciences National University of Singapore Singapore Singapore
| | - Richard A. Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
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Impact of Perception of Green Space for Health Promotion on Willingness to Use Parks and Actual Use among Young Urban Residents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17155560. [PMID: 32752166 PMCID: PMC7432496 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Promoting the use of green space is a fundamental way to improve physical and mental health and to enhance the quality of life of urban residents. In response to increasing demand for green space in cities, the impact of perception of green space for health promotion on willingness to use parks and actual use among young urban residents was investigated in this study. A total of 1135 young residents (ages 18–35) in three cities in China were surveyed by online questionnaire. A group of multiple regression models was constructed to investigate the influencing perception factors of participants’ willingness to use parks and actual use. The results revealed that the young residents’ perception of green space components for health promotion (green space access, types, sizes, plants, water, sensory features, microclimate environments and amenity facilities) had a greater effect on their willingness to use parks and to promote health, while it was less influential with respect to their actual park use behavior (frequency and duration). Among these variables, green space access is a critical concern for willingness to use toward parks. The disparities of perception of green space for health promotion effect on willingness to use a park and actual use provide a better understanding of the psychological factors affecting park use among young residents. The findings also provided some implications for public health policymakers, urban planners and landscape architects in designing parks to encourage visitation by young people.
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