Benefits Of Green Spaces Research Articles

Urban Green Spaces on Maternal Sleep Quality One Year Postpartum Amid COVID-19 Alert Level Changes

Abstract Background Benefits of green spaces (GS) on sleep quality were found, particularly for mothers, which, in turn, contributed to maternal health and offspring development. However, the COVID-19 pandemic imposed restrictions on environmental access, potentially altering the influence of urban GS on sleep quality. This study aims to explore the impact of urban GS on maternal sleep quality one year postpartum during the pandemic. Methods Participants were drawn from the Longitudinal Examination across Prenatal and Postpartum Health in Taiwan study, tracking individuals from early pregnancy across five hospitals in Taipei since 2011. We utilized data spanning from 2019 to 2024, with May 2021 (the initial soft lockdown due to community spread) serving as the cutoff point to delineate early and late pandemic stages. Self-reported sleep quality one year postpartum was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Residential GS was evaluated using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within various radii (250m to 2000m). Multiple logistic regression was utilized. Results From the 311 participants, in the early stage of the pandemic, an increase of 0.1 units in NDVI within a 250m radius during both prenatal and postnatal periods (0-12 months) was associated with improved maternal sleep quality (OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.08, 2.32, and OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.30) after adjustments. The impact diminished as the radius increased. Additionally, no significant association was found during the late stage of the pandemic across any of the studied radii. Conclusions The findings suggest a positive correlation between proximity to urban GS and maternal sleep quality during the early stages of the pandemic, with more significant benefits observed at shorter distances, likely due to restricted movement and access. These results underscore the importance of proximity in urban planning and environmental improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal and child health. Key messages • Urban green spaces significantly enhance maternal sleep quality one year postpartum in the early stages of the pandemic, highlighting the importance of proximity for health benefits. • As the radius of green spaces decreased, their positive impact on maternal sleep quality during the early pandemic intensified, underscoring the need for adaptive urban planning strategies.

Exposure to green spaces and schizophrenia: a systematic review.

The mental health benefits of exposure to green spaces are well known. This systematic review summarizes the evidence of green space exposure for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs), focusing on incidence and mental health outcomes, including mental health symptoms and health service use. The study was pre-registered (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023431954), and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Seven databases, reference lists, and gray literature sources were searched. Methodological quality was assessed using The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. 126 studies were screened, and 12 studies were eligible for inclusion. Seven studies found that exposure to green space was associated with a reduced risk of schizophrenia (lowest to highest green space exposure: HRs = 0.62-0.37; IRRs = 1.52-1.18), with five studies reporting a dose-response relationship. Of these studies, four examined childhood exposure and the remainder examined adult exposure. Regarding health service use, proximity to green space was not significantly associated with length of hospital admission, though greater green space exposure was associated with reduced hospital admission rates. Three studies found reduced symptoms of anxiety (d = -0.70-2.42), depression (d = -0.97-1.70) and psychosis (d = -0.94) with greater green space exposure. Exposure to green space reduces the risk of schizophrenia, and there is emerging evidence of the potential benefits of green space for reducing symptoms and health service use among people with SSDs. Future research using experimental and longitudinal designs will provide more robust evidence of the benefits of green space for people with SSDs.

Spatial Heterogeneity Analysis of the Multidimensional Characteristics of Urban Green Spaces in China—A Study Based on 285 Prefecture-Level Cities

Quantitative measurement of urban green spaces (UGSs) plays a fundamental role in enhancing their ecological functions and services. Current studies have not adequately analyzed the multifunctional characteristics and the diverse benefits of urban green spaces at the national scale. This study developed a multidimensional indicator system in terms of scale, pattern, and services to measure green spaces in 285 prefecture-level cities in China. The influences of different geographic zones and urban development on UGS characteristics were also investigated. The results showed that per capita area of urban green spaces were significantly different between the two sides of the “Botai Line”, and the UGS structure was mainly dominated by woodlands. Urban green spaces in the central and east had higher fragmentation, lower landscape diversity, and weaker connectivity. The spatial accessibility of green spaces exhibited a “low–high–medium” pattern from north to south in China, with central-eastern China experiencing the worst equity in green space supply. Overall, cities with higher integrated benefits of green spaces were mainly located in Northeast and North China. Type I large cities had higher ratings for UGS characteristics compared with the other types of cities. These findings can serve as solid guidance for cities seeking to build green space systems with highly integrated socio–ecological benefits.

Analysis of the Impact of Urban Green Spaces on Mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, characterized by higher temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings, poses significant challenges for energy consumption, air quality, and public health. This study examines the impact of urban green spaces on mitigating the UHI effect in four major Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia. Using high-resolution satellite imagery, ground-based temperature measurements, and advanced GIS and statistical modeling techniques, we quantified the temperature differences between green and non-green urban areas. Our findings indicate that green spaces, including parks, street trees, and green roofs, significantly reduce urban temperatures, with parks exhibiting the highest cooling effects. The spatial analysis revealed that UHI hotspots are concentrated in densely built-up areas, while green spaces effectively mitigate these effects. Seasonal variations show that the cooling benefits of green spaces are more pronounced during the summer months. This study highlights the importance of incorporating diverse and well-distributed green spaces in urban planning to enhance thermal comfort, reduce energy consumption, and improve urban livability. Policy recommendations are provided to guide the integration of green infrastructure in climate adaptation strategies for Spanish cities.

Does gentrification precede and follow greening? Evidence about the green gentrification cycle in Los Angeles and Chicago

The health benefits of green space have led to calls for equitable access to parks. When new green spaces are built in low-income communities, however, gentrification often ensues. The “green gentrification” literature has paid little attention to gentrification that might occur before greening. In this paper, we explore whether and under which circumstances gentrification might precede and follow greening, a process known as the “green gentrification cycle.” Focusing on Los Angeles and Chicago, we build hedonic models focused on single-family homes sold in 2010–2021 and run post-hoc pairwise comparison tests to assess price changes over time for homes within a half-mile of new parks (treatment) and farther (control). When considering all new parks, we find that gentrification is associated with subsequent greening and, to some extent, that greening is associated with ensuing gentrification in Los Angeles. In Chicago, gentrification is associated with subsequent greening, but new parks are not associated with ensuing gentrification. Models distinguishing larger regional from smaller non-regional parks show evidence of gentrification before and after non-regional parks were built in Los Angeles, but not for regional parks. In Los Angeles, we identify stronger evidence of gentrification preceding greening farther from downtown than closer to downtown, and signals of gentrification after greening near downtown but not farther away. Models focusing on new parks built near transit stations show inconclusive results. Despite methodological limitations (e.g., examining a single measure of gentrification and different park types together), our findings shed light on the complex spatiotemporal relationships between greening and gentrification.

The Impacts of Visible Green Spaces on the Mental well-being of University Students

The benefits of green spaces on individuals’ health have been widely acknowledged due to their inherent natural qualities. Currently, university students are experiencing significantly higher levels of mental health problems than other social groups. There is a scarcity of studies examining the association between built environment factors and mental health issues among university students, particularly in the Chinese context. University campuses in China are physically isolated, secluded communities, and in this respect, they differ markedly from the spatial organisation patterns of Western universities. Therefore, this study focuses on the correlation between the extent of green space exposure within closed university campuses and the occurrence of mental health issues among resident students. A deep-learning methodology incorporating streetscape images, remote sensing data, and multilevel linear modelling is employed in order to facilitate a comprehensive analysis. The results demonstrate a negative correlation between green space exposure on campus and the level of mental health issues among university students. Individual socio-demographic characteristics, such as whether a person has a partner, are also found to influence the level of mental health issues that they experience. In addition, a significant relationship is found between travel patterns and mental health issues, with students who walked regularly having a lower incidence of mental health issues than those who drove. Our research indicates that, in order to foster healthier communities and enhance social inclusion, urban planners should prioritise the development of greener campuses and urban transport services to improve accessibility to green spaces.

Leveraging and exercising caution with ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence tools in environmental psychology research.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is an emerging and disruptive technology that has attracted considerable interest from researchers and educators across various disciplines. We discuss the relevance and concerns of ChatGPT and other GAI tools in environmental psychology research. We propose three use categories for GAI tools: integrated and contextualized understanding, practical and flexible implementation, and two-way external communication. These categories are exemplified by topics such as the health benefits of green space, theory building, visual simulation, and identifying practical relevance. However, we also highlight the balance of productivity with ethical issues, as well as the need for ethical guidelines, professional training, and changes in the academic performance evaluation systems. We hope this perspective can foster constructive dialogue and responsible practice of GAI tools.

The Role of Urban Green Spaces in Mitigating Climate Change: An Integrative Review of Ecological, Social, and Health Benefits

Urban green spaces (UGS) are increasingly recognized as essential components of cities for mitigating climate change and enhancing environmental, social, and public health outcomes. This integrative review explores the multifaceted benefits of UGS, focusing on their ecological contributions such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity support, and air quality improvement. It also highlights the social and economic benefits of green spaces, including community cohesion, enhanced property values, and opportunities for environmental stewardship. Furthermore, the review examines the positive impacts of UGS on physical and mental health, particularly in mitigating the adverse health effects of urban heat islands and climate-induced stress. The findings emphasize the critical role of UGS in creating resilient, sustainable, and livable cities. Finally, the review discusses the challenges of equitable access, land use, and maintenance while offering policy recommendations for integrating green infrastructure into urban planning.

Green open spaces: climate mitigation of climate change in Indonesia

Introduction: The provision of microclimate for young people is an important prerequisite for outdoor thermal comfort in urban communities. The microclimate consists of four elements: air temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation. The City Green area consists of urban landscape, urban forest green, urban recreational green, sports green and garden green. The green open spaces are classified according to the state of the region, not according to the shape or structure of the vegetation. The green land is intended to maintain land availability as a catchment area. Methods: in this study the authors tried to use a systematic literature review method. This method tries to collect existing literature and articles which are then reviewed to look for potential green open spaces as a solution to addressing microclimates. Finding: In the early 1990s, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established as the body to address global warming: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation involves finding ways to slow, control or absorb greenhouse gas emissions from forests or other carbon "sinks". In response to global warming and climate change, the Government of Indonesia enacted Law No. 26 in 2007. Law No. 05/PRT/M/2008 on Spatial Planning and the Guidelines of the Minister of Public Works on the Provision and Use of Green Open Space in Urban Areas stipulate that green open space is defined as space that extends/expands and/or clusters, which is more open for human use, and is a place for plants to grow, both naturally and intentionally planted. Conclusion: Benefits of green space include supporting the health, welfare and safety of urban residents. Green spaces can also promote the production of natural resources, prevent natural disasters, protect the environment, promote health and safety, and promote entertainment activities and map development.

Assessing public attitudes towards urban green spaces as a heat adaptation strategy: Insights from Germany

Urban green spaces are recognized as essential elements of cities. They offer multiple benefits, including mitigating the urban heat island effect and its negative impact on public health. They also present opportunities for people to interact, recreate, and connect with nature. To explore attitudes towards urban green spaces, we surveyed 2253 German adults after the hot summer of 2022 to identify their preferences, frequency of use, and perceived benefits of green spaces. We were particularly interested in their perceptions and views of urban green spaces as an adaptation measure against heat stress. Our findings reveal that most respondents have a green space within a 15-minute walk from their home, with over 80% indicating there is plenty of nearby green space that is easy to access and well-maintained. Health and well-being emerged as primary motivators for visits, with many prioritizing relaxation over physical activity or social interaction. Despite their positive attitudes toward green spaces, fewer than 20% of respondents frequented them on very warm days, suggesting that many residents may not recognize the cooling potential of green spaces during heat events. However, over 70% of respondents supported prioritizing efforts towards establishing more parks and shaded green spaces, and over 80% supported planting more trees along streets as a heat mitigation and adaptation strategy. As climate change intensifies, it is vital for planners, policymakers, and emergency managers to understand and incorporate perceptions about green spaces in the decision-making process, ensuring that they are effectively promoted and utilized as urban heat mitigation measures.

Analysing access to parks and other green spaces on walking, biking, and driving networks through a socioeconomic lens

ABSTRACT Green spaces are important elements of cities due to their benefits to residents’ physical health, mental health and development, and social connections. Residents are more likely to experience green space benefits when they use them frequently and usage increases when amenities are accessible. Because lower-income households often have less reliable access to automobiles, examining access solely on the road network is inadequate. Do households across the socioeconomic spectrum have access to green space on pedestrian and bicycle networks? After estimating residential locations (origins) from U.S. Census data and park and other green space locations (destinations) from the City of Albuquerque data, we connect the two using service area network analyses in a geographic information system (GIS). Findings suggest that overall green space access is a concern since less than 50% of Albuquerque residents have access to a green space within 400 m, indicating levels below those recommended by the World Health Organization. Park accessibility is relatively equally distributed for low-, middle-, and high-income households across both pedestrian and road networks. Access to other green space is a source of possible inequity with high-income households having more than five times the access to non-park green spaces than low-income households. The bike network presents another source of possible inequity as 39% of high-income households have access to the bike network versus only 30% of low-income households and an expansion of the bike network is a primary recommendation for increasing access in an equitable fashion.

Effects of blue space exposure in urban and natural environments on psychological and physiological responses: A within-subject experiment

Contact with nature results in a wide range of benefits to human health. Most previous studies have focused on the benefits of green spaces on human health, so evidence pertaining to the relationship between outdoor blue spaces and human health is scarce and inconclusive. Using a within-subject field experiment of 30-minute walks, this study investigated not only the physiological and psychological restorative effects of green space and blue space but also the distinctive effects of incorporating blue space into natural environments and urban environments. Based on the results of the generalized additive mixed-effect models in this study, green space can increase physiological relaxation and psychological restoration and reduce the feelings of fatigue and tension. Blue space demonstrated its potential health benefits; however, the results were limited to greater positive moods (feelings of esteem and vigor) and mental restoration, indicating that its power to promote health and well-being is limited compared to green space. Nevertheless, incorporating water with other environments, such as green spaces and urban environments, resulted in pronounced physiological and psychological relaxation effects. Natural environments containing water bodies were more effective in reducing sympathetic nervous activity than urban environments with blue space. Blue space can override many unpleasant features of urban settings and enhance the health-promoting capacity of urban spaces. Participants walking in urban areas containing water responded with greater positive mood improvement and reported stronger feelings of being away than participants in natural environments containing water bodies. These findings contribute to healthy landscape design by increasing awareness of the restorative value and potential of blue space.

Green Cities: Utopia or Reality? Evidence from Zurich, Switzerland

There is an overall scientific consensus that green spaces positively affect urban dwellers’ health and well-being. However, there is a gap between knowledge and policy objectives, and their translation into effective interventions to unleash the benefits of green spaces. Examining such ‘implementation gap’ in Zurich is relevant due to the integration of the ‘green urban agenda’ in various Swiss policies. The research narrows its focus to district 9, including the Altstetten and Albisrieden neighborhoods, which contain diverse green spaces despite ongoing densification. The study further explores four green space clusters and their 400-m catchment areas within the district. The research applies a mixed-method approach at three analytical levels: (1) identification of the critical tenets associated with the ‘green urban agenda’ through a review of multi-scale national policies, (2) assessment of green spaces’ provision, types, size, and mutual connectivity in Zurich’s district 9 based on online available quantitative data and on-site observation, and (3) identification of the dominant activities in four green space clusters through on-site observation. Through critical mutual examination of the identified ‘green urban agenda’ principles in the national policies and green space attributes, the findings reveal the extent of the convergence or divergence between policy trends and their implementation in practice.

Assessment of green space benefits and burdens for urban health with spatial modeling

We present a new spatial model to quantify and map health-related impacts of urban green space (UGS), with the aim to address major shortcomings of existing models and to meet the needs of urban spatial planners for quantitative, spatially-explicit assessment of both the health benefits and burdens of UGS. This GIS-based model uses publicly available high-resolution geospatial data to estimate street-level values of five major determinants of urban health that are significantly influenced by urban spatial design (including UGS): unattractive views, heat stress, air pollution, perceived unsafety and tick-bite risk. We also describe a potential major application of the model for urban spatial planners, a so-called hotspot analysis for a set of five urban design-related health problems, which can assist in setting spatial priorities in urban greening strategies as well as in designing effective greenspace interventions. Hotspots are areas within a city where urban design-related health problems are the largest. An analysis for Maastricht (The Netherlands) showed that in hotspots UGS was mostly a net burden, but also that redesign of UGS could make its role more beneficial for human health.

What are the psychological and cognitive wellbeing benefits as reported by people experiencing green space? A meta-ethnography

BackgroundThe world is increasingly subject to urbanisation. This has been associated with deleterious effects on mental health, as urban living can decrease access to green space. The benefits of green space for wellbeing have been investigated by a widely interdisciplinary field, however the majority of the evidence base is quantitative and does not offer exploration of individual experiences. This qualitative synthesis offers insight into the psychological and cognitive benefits reported by individuals experiencing green space. MethodsFollowing a systematic electronic database and hand-search of qualitative and mixed-methods studies from 2009 to the present, a meta-ethnography was undertaken. The thematic findings of the studies were related and translated into each other to give new third order constructs. These were then juxtaposed, and thematic constructs grouped to form an explanatory theoretical model. Results141 studies were screened at full text. 23 studies were included. 11 constructs were identified: Memory/connection, Freedom/escape, Peace/restoration, Symbolism/metaphor/perspective, Social, Not restorative, Agency, Sensory, Safety/protection, Emotion and Different way of thinking. A novel theoretical model was developed which proposes that the concepts “sense of self and others” together with “altered thinking” contribute to psychological wellbeing via the filter of “emotional processes”. ConclusionsA sense of self and others is an important part of the pathway for mental wellbeing in green space, demonstrating a need for individual and contextual factors to be included in future theory. Specific research and policy recommendations are discussed, especially in light of the green space inequality highlighted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Green space access and visitation disparities in the phoenix metropolitan area

Previous green space equity studies have relied on access measures, such as the distance to, number of, or size of green spaces and have produced mixed results on green space disparities in the U.S. While the benefits of green spaces can be fulfilled when people visit them, attention to the differential use of green spaces has been less common. We examined green space inequalities using traditional access measures in order to understand which group has lower access to local parks and then investigated which urban residents visit local parks more using SafeGraph’s mobility data. We found that the Phoenix metro area experiences green space access disparities by age group and (partially) income rather than by race and ethnicity. Access to local parks consistently decreased as the percentage of the elderly population increased in a neighborhood. However, the visit to local parks consistently increased as the percentage of children and the elderly increased. We discuss the implications of our findings for urban planning.

Users' preferences and perceptions towards urban green spaces in rapidly urbanized cities: The case of Debre Berhan and Debre Markos, Ethiopia

Urban green spaces are essential elements of cities that play an important role in urban sustainability and human health. This study analyzed the users' preferences and perceptions towards urban green spaces. A total of five parks were purposively selected from Debre Berhan and Debre Markos cities. A questionnaire survey was administered to 350 park users in both cities. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and the independence of variables was tested using a chi-square test using IBM SPSS 20. The chi2 test shows that visits' purpose depended on the users' age, gender, and education level (P < 0.05). 26.1% and 13.8% of the users visit the parks “always” to chill with friends and to enjoy nature, respectively. The existence of fences, safety and security, and spaciousness of the park were the major encouraging factors, with the average Likert value of 3.04, 3.01, and 2.72, respectively. Alcoholic drinks and chewing Khat (stimulant green leafy plant) within the parks, lack of comfortable sitting areas, absence of safety and security, and improper park management were the main discouraging factors. There was a very strong statistical association between perceptions of users to the benefits of green spaces and occupation (χ2 (95, N = 350) = 158.908, p < 0.001), age (χ2 (76, N = 350) = 175.135, p < 0.001), gender (χ2 (19, N = 350) = 68.226, p < 0.001), and education level (χ2 (114, N = 350) = 240.798, p < 0.001). The “highly” perceived benefits of green spaces were recreational, aesthetic, and pollution protection. 50% of the respondents “never” participated in any green space development activities. Therefore, rapidly urbanized cities in Africa and Asia could take a lesson from this study about the importance of incorporating citizens' preferences for green spaces and public participation in urban green space development and management.

A Transdisciplinary Framework to Unlock the Potential Benefits of Green Spaces for Urban Communities Under Changing Contexts.

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.

IMPACT OF GREEN SPACES ON HOUSE PRICES

Studies around the world have shown that urban green spaces have a positive effect on house prices. The economic benefits of green spaces are an issue that still needs to be addressed. When analyzing scientific literature, it is problematic to compare studies on the influence of green spaces on house prices, due to the absence of a unified assessment system. Working on studies examining a similar categorisation of green spaces, the application of the same assessment methods and the use of a common set of variables would allow for more detailed and accurate analyses. Therefore, the aim of the work is to identify the categories of green spaces and the method of evaluation, which most accurately describes the impact of urban green spaces on housing prices. This work examined 8 studies, most of which were carried out in Europe. An analysis of studies has shown that the most commonly used method for determining the impact of green spaces on house prices is the hedonistic pricing method. When analyzing literature it was noticed that quite often the influence on the price of housing was measured only from a few types of green spaces, although the classification of green spaces is very wide. Most often, the studies did not analyse the sources of noise and pollution. Inclusion of these factors in the assessment would allow comparing the significance of noise and pollution sources and green spaces for the population. An analysis of studies has shown the importance of distance to the city center. In view of the shortcomings of the studies examined, a categorisation of green spaces and related elements has been brought up, which is proposed to be used in further studies on the impact of green spaces on the price of housing.

Type of Benefits Factors in The Implementation of Green Space Policy in Bandung City

The purpose of this study was to determine the type of benefits factor in implementing the Green Space policy in Bandung City. This study uses a descriptive research method with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques used are literature study, observation, interviews with the Mayor of Bandung, the Bandung City Spatial Planning Service, the Department of Housing and Settlements, Land and Landscaping (DPKP3) Bandung City and the people of Bandung City. The technique of determining informants using purposive for government officials and accidental for the people of Bandung City. The results showed that Green Space has many benefits, including as a place for recreation and beauty. People visit the city forest of BabakanSiliwangi to breathe fresh air while exercising, want to see the green plants, relax while chatting. The point is you want to release your fatigue from your daily activities. Based on the explanation above, it can be concluded that the type of benefits factor can already be felt by various parties, although it is not evenly distributed because indeed the benefits of this Green Space are so many. Each party feels the benefits of Green Space from different perspectives or needs. If there are parties who feel aggrieved in the management of Green Spaces, the road will eventually be resolved in court.