Green Space for health promotion

Abstract

Green spaces or green infrastructure or urban green spaces are defined as outdoor spaces “partially or completelycovered with grass, trees, shrubs or other types of vegetation and include, among others, parks, forests and municipalgardens”. The design and use of urban green spaces has become increasingly important in recent years as a formof contrast to the deleterious effects of urbanization. The presence of such spaces on the territory and access to thelatter therefore represents a significant form of health promotion, as well as an important factor that determines it: itis therefore necessary to consider the main benefits provided by the presence of green spaces. These benefits can be ofmultiple nature: they go from environmental benefits (such as the management of clean water, the reduction of air andwater pollution and protection against soil erosion) to social benefits (improvement of health and well-being, creationof new jobs, increase in tourism), up to consider benefits inherent in the adaptation and mitigation of climate changeand biodiversity. It is therefore essential to have adequate design of green space: for these benefits to be effective, it isnecessary to plan services to the person and adequate accessibility interventions, in line with the virtuous logic thatgreen spaces can help to promote.