School greenness: how does it impact students’ health and what do students expect from it?

Abstract

This research explores how school greenery is associated with students’ health, whether it addresses students’ mental and physical needs, and what expectations students have from it. The study involved 381 students aged 10–19 in Aydın, Türkiye. Surveys and face-to-face interviews were conducted in May 2022. Results indicate that exposure to school greenery positively influences students’ perceived stress, mental health, and general health. Analyses revealed significant differences between girls and boys, and school sites. Findings showed that school greenery does not meet students’ perceived mental and physical needs. Students prefer more wooded and shaded areas, green spaces, blue spaces, wide-open spaces, and quiet places to address their needs. When students feel stressed, they seek refuge in wooded areas and sitting places in green spaces. Playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball, walking and sitting, and playing games with friends were the most preferred activities. Based on the results, possible design implications are suggested.