Abstract
Blue and green spaces contribute to the quality of cities in various ways—ranging from providing air corridors and visual amenities to positively affecting public psychological health and wellbeing. Urban blue and green spaces had geopolitical and agricultural functions in the past. These functions are still evident in many cities. They also provide ecological qualities for the surrounding (sub)urban neighborhoods. While in recent decades, many studies have explored the features and characteristics of urban blue and green spaces that are associated with positive health benefits, the healthy lifestyle promoting role of artificial water canals has received little attention. This case report investigates the canals in Isfahan from Iran that branch off from the Zayandeh Rood River and provide blue and green corridors to the city. The aim of this case report study is to explore the health aspects of urban water canals in physical, mental, and social dimensions based on the residents’ experiences. The study develops a framework for assessing the quality of therapeutic effect of canals in Isfahan, Iran. The paper employs qualitative content analysis as the methodological approach. In total, 200 people from the residential neighborhoods of the Niasarm Canal participated in semi-structured interviews in early 2018. The results of this research reveal that the canal—with ‘upgrade of active life’, ‘sense of rehabilitation, relaxation and concentration along with the canal’, ‘promotion of social life’, and ‘place identity’ characteristics—plays an important therapeutic role on the physical, psychological, and social health conditions of local residents.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines human health as the state of entire physical, psychological, and social welfare, not just the absence of disease or debility [1]
This study focused on the effects of canals as urban blue and green spaces on humans’ health and tried to extract relevant concepts (Table 3)
Another study conducted in Canada on the effects of the therapeutic landscape for the elderly people focusing on the influenced participant perceptions on their physical, mental, and social health conditions reveals similar findings [13]
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines human health as the state of entire physical, psychological, and social welfare, not just the absence of disease or debility [1]. Natural environments are increasingly seen as the basis for urban health promotion [2,3,4]. The concept of public health includes various physical, mental, and social factors, where urban blue and green spaces have a positive impact on them [13]. In terms of physical health, urban blue and green spaces provide opportunities for physical exercise and recreation activities that increase an individual’s wellbeing [14,15,16]. As for mental health, blue and green spaces improve emotional state and reduce the stress level of individuals [15]. In terms of social health, blue and green spaces promote social interaction of an individual and create pleasant collective memories of presence in nature [17]
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