Urban forest benefits to the younger population: The case study of the city of Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

In the modern world, industrial and technological development resulted in many challenges to general health and urban planning so the evaluation of natural resources has become a social need for overcoming these problems. Nowadays, the different forms of urban green areas represent one of the most important elements of the built environment, which directly affect physical activity, health, and mortality. This paper analyses the perceived health benefits of the students-volunteers who agreed to spend five consecutive weeks of their recess time in an existing Arboretum in the city of Belgrade. The aim of this study is to gain some basic knowledge of the restorative potential of the urban forest environment and to identify perceived physical, mental and social benefits of the younger population using a survey. The survey was analysed by an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Additionally, DASS21 was used for psychometric evaluation of the mental well-being of respondents so the control group was included. The two-factor analysis of data on the total score recorded marginally significant interaction testing between the groups (F1.45 = 3.781; р < .058), indicating a higher tendency to the stress reduction at the arboretum group. Further, the findings from the IPA indicate that the spatial qualities such as such greenery, lawn, and benches are important for the restorative experience in an Arboretum. The research outputs indicate that the urban forest environment in the city of Belgrade has a potential to support restorative experience and daily habits of a younger population.