Characteristics Of Urban Green Spaces Research Articles

Quality of urban green spaces influences residents' use of these spaces, physical activity, and overweight/obesity.

The quality characteristics of urban green spaces (UGS) have been suggested to play a critical role in their use and their potentials to exert health effects. However, epidemiological studies evaluating such a role are scarce. These studies have generally focused on a limited number of quality dimensions. We studied the association between 10 UGS quality dimensions, assessed through a comprehensive multidimensional tool, and physical activity, overweight/obesity, and UGS use. Our study was based on 2053 adults participating in the Barcelona Health Survey (2016) and the quality of 149 UGS located in Barcelona, Spain. For each participant, we abstracted the average and maximum quality score separately for each of the 10 quality dimensions and an overall quality score for the UGS within 300m of the participant's residential address. Data on the study outcomes were obtained through face-to-face interviews. We developed logistic regression and negative binomial models to assess our evaluated associations and conducted mediation analyses between the different outcomes. We observed that the overall quality of UGS was associated with higher likelihood of engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (OR:1.13; 95% CI:1.00-1.27), lower risk of overweight/obesity (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.79-0.98), and increased use of UGS (exponentiated regression coefficient: 1.08; 95% CI:1.01-1.15). For the quality dimensions, we observed different patterns of associations depending on the outcome; however, bird biodiversity and amenities seem to be relevant to all of our evaluated outcomes. The mediation analysis suggested that UGS use mediate the association between quality and physical activity, while physical activity mediates the association between quality and overweight/obesity. The novel results from this study will allow decision-makers better design UGS and directly pinpoint relevant quality dimensions to promote physical activity, reduce the risk of overweight/obesity and boost the use of UGS amongst citizens.

Remote sensing of urban green spaces: A review

A knowledge of the characteristics of urban green spaces (UGSs) such as their abundance, spatial distribution and species composition, has an important role in a range of fields such as urban geography, urban planning and public health. Remote sensing technologies have made great contributions to the analysis of UGSs. However, a comprehensive review of the current status, challenges and potential in this area is lacking. In this paper, we scrutinize major trends in remote sensing approaches for characterising UGSs and evaluate the effectiveness of different remote sensing systems and analytical techniques. The results suggest that the number of studies focusing on mapping UGSs and classifying species within UGSs have increased rapidly over recent decades. However, there are fewer examples of non-tree species mapping, change detection, biomass and carbon mapping and vegetation health assessment within UGSs. Most studies have focused on UGSs (mainly trees) which cover large areal extents, with fewer studies of smaller patches such as street trees, urban gardens, recreational spaces and public parks, even though collectively such patches can cover substantial areas. Hence, we encourage future investigations to focus on a wider variety of different UGSs, particularly small-scale UGSs. We also recommend that research focuses on developing more effective image time series analysis techniques, methods to capture the complexity of UGSs and the use of SAR in studies of UGSs. At the same time, further research is needed to fully exploit remote sensing data within thematic applications such as monitoring changes in UGSs over time, quantifying biomass and carbon mapping and assessing vegetation health.

How the landscape features of urban green space impact seasonal land surface temperatures at a city-block-scale: An urban heat island study in Beijing, China

Urban greening has been widely regarded as one of the most effective strategies for alleviating the risk of urban heat island (UHI). In this study, the metropolitan region of Beijing in China, was chosen as the study area. We used urban blocks as the special units for spatial analysis, and 17 landscape factors, including both landscape composition and configuration metrics, were chosen as the explanation variables for seasonal land surface temperature (LST). Based on these, we examined the potential differences in the relationship between urban LST and the landscape characteristics of urban green space (UGS) in different seasons and UGS gradients. Our results confirmed the significant cooling effect by UGS at a city-block-scale. However, the roles of UGS landscape composition and configuration on impacting LST varied in different seasons and UGS gradients. Generally, the cooling effect of UGS is more significant in locations with warmer climate or lower UGS coverage, and the landscape composition characteristics of UGS had a dominant effect on the variation of LST. On the contrary, in cold seasons or higher UGS ratios, the landscape configuration characteristics of UGS, such as the edge density of urban forest patches, would predominantly function to alleviate UHI than landscape composition in urban blocks. Moreover, the geometry features of urban blocks were also found to have a certain influence on LST. These findings demonstrated that the influence of UGS landscape features on urban surface thermal environment is very complex at city-block-scale. Therefore, for UHI mitigation, a prerequisite for multifactor analysis must be taken into consideration during the implementation of urban greening.

Spatial Characteristics of Urban Green Spaces and Human Health: An Exploratory Analysis of Canonical Correlation.

In highly urbanized areas, urban green spaces (UGSs) are important natural and cultural entities. Previous studies have shown some evidence of positive relationships between UGSs and human health. Most of these studies relied on self-reported health data and often used institutional quantitative measures of UGSs instead of the spatial characteristics of UGSs. This study analyzed the relationships between the spatial characteristics of UGSs and morbidity of diseases, which were considered variables of human health in the Taipei Metro. The Longitudinal Health Insurance Database of Taiwan was applied as the source of morbidity of diseases. A canonical correlation analysis was performed by using the six variables of spatial characteristics of UGSs as predictors and three variables of morbidity as criterion variables to evaluate the multivariate shared relationships between the two variable sets. The results found a strong canonical correlation between the spatial characteristics of UGSs and human health. Furthermore, the results revealed that living in districts with a higher area percentage of green spaces and denser vegetation cover, as well as exposure to more aggregative and irregular-shape green spaces, can reduce the morbidity of diseases.

Golf Courses as Potential Habitat for Urban Coyotes

ABSTRACTWildlife increasingly live in and adapt to urban landscapes as natural habitat becomes urbanized. Many carnivores take advantage of undeveloped or open developed areas called green spaces, such as parks or cemeteries, to meet their requirements in urban areas. For instance, coyotes (Canis latrans) expanded their range across most of North America into metropolitan areas and even within highly developed areas, where home ranges of coyotes are associated with green spaces or areas that humans used least. Golf courses are a unique type of green space within urban landscapes that can provide cover and prey for coyotes, as well as limit human presence, especially at night and during the winter off‐season. We estimated selection of golf courses and urban green spaces by coyotes within the Chicago Metropolitan Area, Illinois, USA (2009 to 2012) that had access to golf courses (home range composed of >3% golf course; n = 30) using radiotelemetry. We found that coyotes selected for golf courses more at night and during the off‐season, indicating that they were responding to the decreased human presence during this time. Spatial status (resident vs. transient) and the amount of developed land in a home range did not influence selection of golf courses. Conversely, selection of urban green spaces was greater in the summer for transients and with proportion of developed land, but not influenced by time of day. However, there was considerable intra‐ and inter‐individual variability in coyote selection of both golf courses and urban green spaces. Individual variability could be driven by coyote characteristics (i.e., prey preferences, natal habitat, or social status) or by golf course and urban green space characteristics (i.e., landscaping, golfing hours, average human occupancy, or tolerance by personnel). © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

The role of local government greening policies in the transition towards nature-based cities

As urban areas increase in size, density and population, green spaces become increasingly important for sustainability and liveability. Yet urbanisation processes, compounded in many cases by climate change impacts, are placing increasing pressure on retention of urban vegetation. This paper aims to analyse the role of local government policies in provision of urban green spaces.The research focuses on policies of three neighbouring local governments in Melbourne Australia, representing inner, middle and outer urban contexts. The paper applies Transition Management’s four spheres, strategic, tactical, operational and reflexive, to structure the analysis.The research identified key policy success factors and related these to the four spheres of analysis. The research found that a key limitation to a consistent or unified approach to green space provision is the ‘splintered’ or competing narratives that are applied to the functions, benefits and characteristics of urban green spaces. This fragmentation slows transition to nature-based cities.

Green Exercise: How Are Characteristics of Urban Green Spaces Associated with Adolescents' Physical Activity and Health?

This study investigates associations between characteristics of urban green spaces (UGSs) and adolescents’ self-reported green exercise (GE), general health, and body mass index (BMI). Data were collected through face-to-face personal interviews with 384 adolescents ages 13–19 between 1 March and 31 May, 2018 in UGSs in Aydın, Turkey. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine associations controlling for confounding factors. Stratified analyses were also conducted to determine differences between boys and girls. Positive associations with the duration of GE included many trees, lawns, soccer fields and basketball courts, play equipment, and self-reported general health. Whereas increased BMI was associated with increased benches/ seating, lawns and exercise trails were positively associated with self-reported general health. Negative relationships with increased BMI included many trees, open areas, and outdoor fitness equipment. Increased distance from UGSs was negatively associated with the frequency of GE. In stratified analyses, positive associations between boys’ duration of GE and self-reported general health were found. Whereas soccer fields and basketball courts were associated with girls’ frequency of GE, exercise trails and play equipment were correlated with girls’ self-reported general health. Negative associations with the boys’ frequency of GE included increased BMI and screen time. Whereas increased distance from UGSs was negatively associated with girls’ frequency of GE, many trees, lawns, exercise trails, play equipment, open areas, flowerbeds, and outdoor fitness equipment were negatively correlated with girls’ increased BMI. Findings suggest that adolescents’ GE and health could be promoted with many trees, lawns, flowerbeds, open areas, play and outdoor fitness equipment, exercise trails, and soccer fields and basketball courts. Findings of this study should be tested with longitudinal or intervention studies in future research.

What Characteristics of Urban Green Spaces and Recreational Activities Do Self-Reported Stressed Individuals Like? A Case Study of Baoji, China.

Several studies have revealed the positive effects of green space and certain activities on counteracting the physical and mental pressure felt by human beings. However, how self-reported stressed people perceive restorative green spaces, their preferences for specific characteristics and activities, and what characteristics of urban green space can induce various types of activities for stress recovery has not been fully examined in the high-density cities of China. Using an on-site questionnaire survey conducted in the People’s Park (PP) in Baoji, China, this study is the first to consider the relationship among eight sensory dimensions, activity types and stress recovery in Chinese green space. Results showed that the highest-stressed respondents were more likely to spend their time in multi-layered woodlands adjacent to water, with more experiences of serene but less about prospect. They preferred serene dimension more, while the culture and social dimensions were least preferred. Sports and leisure activities and quiet activities were the most popular among highest-stressed respondents, which were positively related to the serene and nature dimensions, respectively. Results suggested that the most restorative environment for stress recovery can be regarded as multi-layered woodlands adjacent to water with more serene and nature, less prospect and few or no culture and social dimensions.

Characteristics of urban green spaces in relation to aesthetic preference and stress recovery

Urban green spaces contribute to both aesthetic appreciation and health benefits for people. However, most previous researchers have focused on the effects of urban green spaces on aesthetic preference or stress restoration. Little research has involved both simultaneously. This paper uses a direct rating approach based on a single-item measurement to explore the effects of characteristics of urban green spaces on both aesthetic preference and perceived restorativeness of 24 images. These images were created using the photomontage technique by manipulating four dimensions: number of trees, flowers, water and small animals (birds or fish) relative to a baseline photograph taken in China. The results indicated that: (1) Aesthetic preference increased with the increase of number of trees and presence of flowers, water and fish in the images; while the restorative potential increased with the number of trees and presence of flowers or water, but was not affected by fish in the images; (2) Though birds increased fascination, they have no significant influence on both preference and overall restorative potential; and (3) there was a strong positive relationship between aesthetic preference and restorative potential. In regards to the approach, the results suggested that the single-item measurement could be applied to evaluate the perceived restorativeness. Potential applications to the practical design of urban green spaces include that planting more trees and brightly color flowers as well as providing access to clear water may be a reliable method to improve both aesthetic preference and restoration simultaneously.

Reframing the index system of urban green space planning toward public health in China: problems and solutions

ABSTRACT Although substantial epidemiological studies have demonstrated positive correlations between urban green space and health, it is still common to see such land being used for other purposes in China. As a result, public health issues have deteriorated, imposing a pressing demand for urban green space. A health-oriented index system of urban green space planning could serve not only to protect such zones from being encroached upon, but also as a metric to assess its effectiveness in promoting public health. In this paper, we focus on the characteristics of urban green space that can generate health-related benefits through cultural ecosystem services (such as increasing outdoor physical activities). According to the literature review, the factors that describe these characteristics can be summarized under three categories: (1) accessibility, (2) availability, and (3) self-features. By referring to this, we compare our tool with China’s current index system (generalized from four case cities) of urban green space planning to identify the ignored and overlooked indicators. Then, we discuss the underlying causes from two angles: (1) value-orientation and (2) a planning framework. In the end, we propose a health-oriented index system, followed by a ‘5W2H1E’ framework to support its practical application.

The influence of the spatial characteristics of urban green space on the urban heat island effect in Suzhou Industrial Park

Urban green spaces can mitigate urban warming problems to some extent. However, the cooling effect of plants differs spatially and temporally, and with plant features. To understand how plants affect urban surface and air temperature, 15 urban green spaces in Suzhou Industrial Park were selected to study the diurnal variation of summer air temperature. At the same time, the mitigation effect of different types of green spaces on the urban heat island (UHI) effect was investigated and further research was undertaken on the effect of green space area, perimeter area ratio, green space average canopy density, average leaf area index (LAI), and other factors influencing the cooling effect. Based on these studies, three representative parks were selected as samples to investigate the cooling effect of urban green space in terms of the water and wind environment. It was found that in the summer, large green spaces had a stable cooling and humidifying effect, while small green spaces had the opposite effect. The cooling and humidifying effect of large green spaces was more obvious and stable, and the cooling effect of small green spaces was more variable, with a heat preservation phenomenon occurring in some cases. The cooling effect of each green area was positively correlated with the green area, the average LAI of green space, and the average canopy density of green space. The cooling effect of each green area was significantly negatively correlated with the green area perimeter. Water bodies within green spaces did not contribute to cooling; however, the cooling effect was related to the wind environment. From the perspective of the planning and construction of city green spaces it is important to increase the green area and the reasonable planning green perimeter area ratio; however, suitable tree species should be selected in the greening process. The effect of urban greening in improving the urban ecological environment has been established. It was concluded that the cooling effects of such green areas are largely determined by plant type, canopy density, and park shapes. Therefore, it is suggested that a stronger emphasis is placed on the selection of plant species and the design of park shapes to achieve environmental cooling effects.

Evaluating and Optimizing Urban Green Spaces for Compact Urban Areas: Cukurova District in Adana, Turkey

In recent decades, the ever-decreasing number of green spaces have become insufficient to meet public demands in terms of accessibility, spatial distribution and the size of urban green areas. This is mainly due to increasing attention on the issue of accessibility to urban green spaces. This paper aims to quantify accessibility according to existing qualitative and quantitative characteristics of urban green spaces (UGS) in Çukurova district in Adana, Turkey. Firstly, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of UGS are divided into five main categories: area size, amenities of the UGS, transportation, focal points and population density. A set of 59 criteria are used by referring to the literature and expert views. Secondly, the Weighted Criteria Method was used to determine the significance of levels within these criteria and the existing situation of each park was identified and scored via field work. Thirdly, accounts of the distance of UGS service areas distance from people or users were optimized according to the total scores of existing UGS sites. Finally, the service areas of UGS were mapped by using Network Analysis tools. Results highlight some practical implications of optimizing accessibility for urban planning, for instance, specific land uses might be chosen for highly accessible UGS particularly those characterized by their high area size and equipment variety, low population density, and proximity to units.

A review on the urban green space cooling effect based on field measurement of air temperature

With the development of urbanization, the effect of urban heat island has become increasingly evident. As an essential component of the urban natural landscapes, urban green space plays an important role in mitigating the effect of urban heat island. However, facing the rapid urbanization and changing environment, how to rationally plan and design the green space and realize its best cooling effect which can improve the urban environment and microclimate is still an urgent problem to be solved. So there is a strong need for mulitiscale researches on the cooling effect of urban green space. This paper systematically gave a review on the cooling effect of urban green space based on field measurement of air temperature, the main factors that influenced the cooling effect of green space were explored from three aspects including the area and shape characteristics of urban green space, the structure characteristics of vegetation and the external factors which affected the cooling effect, and the characteristics of the cooling effect of the green space were summarized from the aspect of time variation and distance decay. Then, the main problems and future research prospects of urban green space cooling effect were put forward.

How are characteristics of urban green space related to levels of physical activity: Examining the links

This study investigates the associations between characteristics of urban green spaces and frequency and duration of self-reported physical activity in the city of Aydın, Turkey. Data were collected through a survey with 420 participants. We analysed the associations between characteristics of urban green spaces and frequency and duration of general population’ physical activity and physical activity of physically active people with multivariate linear regression while controlling for sex, age, marital status, education level, occupation and household income level. Results showed that for the general population, short distance to urban green spaces, many trees, exercise equipment and picnic areas were positively associated with frequency of physical activity, while barbecue and fire places negatively associated with duration of physical activity. For physically active people, many trees, soccer and basketball fields were positively associated with their frequency of physical activity, but water features were negatively correlated with frequency of physical activity. In regard to duration of physical activity for physically active people, findings showed lawn and exercise equipment were positively correlated with duration of physical activity, while water features, barbecue and fire places were negatively correlated with duration of physical activity. The findings indicate that levels of physical activity in urban green spaces could be promoted with many trees, exercise equipment, picnic areas and lawn. However, causal relationship needs to be conducted with intervention or longitudinal studies.

Urban green spaces, their spatial pattern, and ecosystem service value: The case of Beijing

Green spaces provide various kinds of ecosystem service functions. Though some of them, such as the carbon-sinking and biodiversity preservation functions are of value to everyone, others, especially those related to aesthetic and recreational functions, only benefit people who have direct access to green spaces. In urban settings, where ecosystem services in the second category prevail, this means the spatial dimension of urban green spaces, including their richness, accessibility, shape configuration, and distributional characteristics, may considerably influence the realization of their ecosystem service value, and is therefore subject to scrutiny. In this paper, we study how the spatial pattern of urban green spaces influence the realization of their ecosystem service value by utilizing the Hedonic Price Modeling (HPM) method. Taking Beijing as the case, we use the price and other information in the city's developable land transaction records from 2000 to 2004 to construct the HPM, and use Landscape Ecological Metrics (LEM) as proxies of the spatial characteristics of urban green spaces. Four LEMs are used to measure the above mentioned spatial characteristics of urban green spaces. While subject to certain shortcomings in data quality and quantitative estimations of the magnitude of the spatial effects cannot be made, results show that most spatial characteristics of urban green spaces do influence their ecosystem service value as embedded in land value, except for the shape configuration characteristic for which the study yields no result. Further, specifically for Beijing, results indicate that in order to effectively realize their ecosystem service value, green spaces should occupy between 2.20% and 13.40% of the total urban area, located within a 50–550 m range from other developments, with green space patches so divided that each patch occupies more than 3.00% but less than 62.50% of the total green space area, and the ecosystem service value will be at the optimal level when each patch occupies 20.00% of the total green space area. Lastly, we stress the practical significance of the findings, urging an integration of the spatial patterns aspect of urban green spaces in urban planning practices.

Sustainable Urban Development: Urban Green Spaces and Water Bodies in the City of Kazan, Russia

In recent years social, economic and environmental considerations have led to a reevaluation of the factors that contribute to sustainable urban environments. Increasingly, urban green space is seen as an integral part of cities providing a range of services to both the people and the wildlife living in urban areas. The use of urban green space, and especially increasing the use, has become a hot topic for many green space managers during the past few years as the assumed link between use of urban green space and sustainable urban development is becoming more visible. Up to this time, there is little systematic information about urban green space including natural water bodies in the City of Kazan, Russia, its use and the main factors that influence this use. As green spaces play a crucial role in supporting urban ecological and social systems, it is important to make investigations in the amount of provision, the distribution and characteristics of urban green space in the city. The main concern of this paper is to address the importance of urban nature for citizens’ well being and for the sustainability of the city they inhabit. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n24p356

Urban park characteristics, genetic variation, and historical demography of white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) populations in New York City

Severe fragmentation is a typical fate of native remnant habitats in cities, and urban wildlife with limited dispersal ability are predicted to lose genetic variation in isolated urban patches. However, little information exists on the characteristics of urban green spaces required to conserve genetic variation. In this study, we examine whether isolation in New York City (NYC) parks results in genetic bottlenecks in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), and test the hypotheses that park size and time since isolation are associated with genetic variability using nonlinear regression and information-theoretic model selection. White-footed mice have previously been documented to exhibit male-biased dispersal, which may create disparities in genetic variation between males and females in urban parks. We use genotypes of 18 neutral microsatellite data and four different statistical tests to assess this prediction. Given that sex-biased dispersal may create disparities between population genetic patterns inferred from bi- vs. uni-parentally inherited markers, we also sequenced a 324 bp segment of the mitochondrial D-loop for independent inferences of historical demography in urban P. leucopus. We report that isolation in urban parks does not necessarily result in genetic bottlenecks; only three out of 14 populations in NYC parks exhibited a signature of a recent bottleneck at 18 neutral microsatellite loci. Mouse populations in larger urban parks, or parks that have been isolated for shorter periods of time, also do not generally contain greater genetic variation than populations in smaller parks. These results suggest that even small networks of green spaces may be sufficient to maintain the evolutionary potential of native species with certain characteristics. We also found that isolation in urban parks results in weak to nonexistent sex-biased dispersal in a species known to exhibit male-biased dispersal in less fragmented environments. In contrast to nuclear loci, mitochondrial D-loop haplotypes exhibited a mutational pattern of demographic expansion after a recent bottleneck or selective sweep. Estimates of the timing of this expansion suggest that it occurred concurrent with urbanization of NYC over the last few dozens to hundreds of years. Given the general non-neutrality of mtDNA in many systems and evidence of selection on related coding sequences in urban P. leucopus, we argue that the P. leucopus mitochondrial genome experienced recent negative selection against haplotypes not favored in isolated urban parks. In general, rapid adaptive evolution driven by urbanization, global climate change, and other human-caused factors is underappreciated by evolutionary biologists, but many more cases will likely be documented in the near future.

Socio-demographic variation in motives for visiting urban green spaces in a large Chinese city

The motives of people for visiting urban green spaces (UGS) mirror their needs and expectations on UGS, which help to ascertain why people patronize UGS in the way they do. Such knowledge can promote effective decision making in satisfying the public needs and anticipations for UGS. However, the efforts to address the motives for visiting UGS are limited, whereby less attention is given to the related socio-demographic variations. This study concentrated on the motives for visiting UGS and the relevant differences across social groups in Guangzhou, China. Data were obtained from the responses of 595 visitors by using stratified random sampling, and in-person questionnaire survey at 24 UGS across the city. The results indicated that the nature- and exercise-dominated multiple motives call for multi-purpose management and multifunctional planning and design of the UGS. The significant variations in the motives for visiting were associated with the socio-demographic factors. Decision-makers should seriously consider the particular needs and expectations of the diverse groups, and consider these factors in the decision-making process concerning UGS. Further work could investigate non-users and associations of age and characteristics of UGS with motives for visiting. With complexities of cities, more attention needs to be given to the use of consistent methodologies in future research to obtain comparable findings and further generalizations.

Associations between physical activity and characteristics of urban green space

The availability of urban green space (UGS) is one of the environmental factors that is frequently linked to increased levels of physical activity (PA). Positive associations with increased levels of PA are reported for the amount of UGS close to home, the distance to the nearest UGS, the size of the nearest UGS, and the presence of certain features. However, the evidence to date is somewhat inconclusive, and dominated by studies from North America and Australia. There is a large variation in city structures, and recommendations for North American or Australian cities are not automatically valid for European cities. Using a sample of 1305 Danish adults and detailed descriptions of UGS, we examined the association between UGS and outdoor PA in general, as well as PA in the nearest UGS. No association between outdoor PA in general, size of, distance to, and number of features in the nearest UGS was found. The amount and number of UGS within 1km revealed no association either. For PA in the nearest UGS positive associations with size, walking/cycling routes, wooded areas, water features, lights, pleasant views, bike rack, and parking lot were found. This indicates that PA in a UGS might be stimulated by providing these features there. However, interventions or longitudinal studies are needed to explore potential causal relationship.

Valutazione del potenziale rigenerativo di tipologie distinte di spazi verdi urbani e periurbani

Urban and periurban green spaces play an important role in preserving environmental resources and naturalness, with positive effects on people’s health and well-being. In this context, the study aims to model the relationship between the main ecological and psychological factors (e.g., biodiversity, perceptions, attitudes, evaluations, behaviors, etc.) that are related to urban and periurban green spaces. We focused on the psychological benefits and the general well-being associated with the use of green spaces. We selected five typologies of green spaces in the city of Bari (southern Italy), characterized by different physical features (e.g., presence of natural and built up elements, total extent of the area, distance from urban centre, etc.). A questionnaire focusing on people’s experience in the environment (length and frequency of visits, activities performed, perceived restorativeness, affective qualities of the place, perceived well being during and after the visits) was administered to users of five green space typologies. Results show that the perceived restorative properties are associated to typological characteristics of urban green spaces. Results suggest a mediating role of perceived restorativeness and length of the visits on the perceived well-being. We conclude by discussing the implications of the study on urban policies in the context of sustainability.