Use Of Green Spaces Research Articles

Legal frameworks for sustainable urban development: Analysing the efficacy of zoning regulations in promoting environmental conservation

Urbanization poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability, necessitating effective legal frameworks to balance developmental needs with resource conservation. This research aims to investigate the impact of zoning regulations on sustainable urban development, focusing on their effectiveness in promoting environmental conservation. The study will analyze case studies from different urban centers, examining the legal mechanisms in place, their enforcement, and their outcomes in terms of environmental protection. Key aspects to be explored include land use planning, waste management, and green space preservation and use of renewable energy within urban areas. The research will assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing legal frameworks and propose recommendations for enhancing the integration of environmental considerations into urban development policies.

The Relationship between Park Design and Seniors’ Use of Green Spaces in X’ian, China

Urban parks can facilitate a healthy and active lifestyle among older adults by promoting their physical activities and social interactions. However, unless these parks meet the needs of this group, they may not be effectively utilized or contribute to seniors’ well-being. We applied the concept of environmental affordances in an investigation of the relationship between urban parks’ design characteristics and their use by older adults. Specifically, we developed a functional taxonomy of afforded park usage for senior visitors based on a methodology that combined interviews and behavior mapping in three sites within an urban park in Xi’an, China. We identified four main categories of afforded park usage: individual physical activities, group physical activities, social interactions, and sitting and resting. These activities may be supported or constrained by particular design elements, other people and their behaviors, the park’s physical accessibility, facilities and maintenance, and the park’s atmosphere. In conclusion, we provide recommendations to facilitate urban planners and designers in creating more livable green spaces for senior residents in urban areas.

Disparities in city-wide park use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of Atlanta, Georgia

Access to parks is important for a population's mental, physical, and social health. The importance of parks became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when publicly accessible outdoor spaces were needed to relax, exercise, and socialize. Using metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia as a case study, this study employs 207,785 rows of park visitation data to assess the spatial distribution of park users within 109 Atlanta parks for the year before and after the initial COVID-19 shutdown, focusing on the length of time spent in parks, distance of travel to get there, and quantity of visits. These facets are compared to the socio-demographic information of the park users to assess how different populations benefited from greenspace use. Furthermore, we compared site usage to park typologies to understand changes in park use. Results reveal that after the COVID-19 declaration, parks were more likely to be used among local block group populations, and the time spent in parks slightly decreased. Yet, the impact of COVID-19 on park use was less strong for lower income groups. Findings reveal the important role of parks during the pandemic and may guide future efforts to develop these public greenspace facilities.

The moderating effects of mobile applications on the use of urban green space and mental health of older people: A mixed-method investigation in Hong Kong

Existing literature on the relationship between urban green space (UGS) use and mental health of older people was mainly conducted before the widespread adoption of digital technologies in daily life. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has fostered the use of mobile applications (apps) at a time city dwellers, including older people, were required to stay home. Drawing upon the insights from emerging literature on the changing relationship between UGS use and mental health of older people in the digital era in urban and gerontological studies, this paper offers a vivid mixed-method to investigate whether mobile app use has supplemented or substituted UGS visits and activities that further influence on the mental health of older people. This is achieved by conducting 360 questionnaire surveys in elderly community centers amid the pandemic and 23 semi-structured interviews in local neighbourhood parks after the pandemic by the authors. Results demonstrates mobile app use frequency may moderate the proximity-mental health relationship, but only among the older people with lower mental health levels. Among this sub-group, digital consumption app use frequency weakens the proximity-mental health relationship on marginal significance, which illustrates digital consumption apps may substitute the role of urban parks on improving older people’s mental health. Furthermore, digital communication and recreation mobile app use frequency strengthens the proximity-mental health relationship on marginal significance, which suggests these mobile apps may supplement the role of urban parks on improving older people’s mental health, particularly during the pandemic. The research pleas for more research on how digitalization of everyday activities is transforming the use of UGS such as neighbourhood parks and subsequent impact on the mental health of older people in the widespread adoption of digital technologies.

Health and wellbeing benefits of use of urban green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic

Health and wellbeing benefits of use of urban green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic

Environmental press of urban greenspace pre-post COVID on older adults: A big data study in metropolitan Atlanta

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted the use of urban green spaces. For older adults who are vulnerable to environmental press, there were more concerns with being outside after COVID-19, especially in metropolitan areas with a high population density. Reframing urban greenspaces to encourage older adults to spend time outdoors requires further consideration. Using block groups and park POI data from the Atlanta metropolitan area retrieved from SafeGraph, this study assesses the types of urban greens spaces that fit the needs of older adults pre and post COVID-19 and how park features influenced their use of the parks. The results indicate a high decrease in park visitation after COVID-19 for visitors from block groups with a higher aging population. The preferences of older adults visiting urban greenspaces changed from small scale parks pre-pandemic to large scale parks post start of the pandemic. Park visitations of older adults were impacted by park sizes, locations, environmental variables, and park features, which contribute to the shift of environmental press. Paths and trails are the primary park feature attracting older adults pre-post COVID-19. Findings can inform future design and research of urban greenspaces accommodating the competence of older adults.

Understanding the pathways between the use of urban green spaces and self-rated health: A case study in Mexico City

In recent decades, extensive research has demonstrated the positive impact of urban green spaces (UGS) on public health through several pathways. However, in the context of Latin America, particularly Mexico City, there remains a notable scarcity of evidence linking UGS use to health outcomes and an insufficient understanding of the pathways or factors underlying these associations. Therefore, this study employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate the intricate pathways between UGS use and residents’ perceived health in Mexico City, a densely populated urban center. The SEM integrates three key mediators: sentiments towards UGS, UGS quality, and time spent within these spaces. Survey data was collected through an online survey distributed via social media in May 2020 (n = 1,707). The findings indicate a minor yet significant direct link between UGS use and self-reported health (0.0427, p < 0.1). Conversely, the indirect pathways through sentiments towards UGS, UGS quality, and time spent in UGS were highly significant (0.1950, p < 0.01), underscoring their substantial role as mediators in the UGS use-health association. While a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms linking perceived health to UGS use in Mexico City requires further research, this study proposes that fostering positive sentiments towards UGS, enhancing UGS quality, and encouraging extended visits to green areas could potentially amplify the perceived health benefits associated with UGS use among residents. These insights offer valuable inputs for policymaking, emphasizing the importance of integrating public perspectives to optimize nature-based solutions and broaden their positive impact within Mexico City.

Water-related liveability assessment: Indicators for evaluation of urban design

Sustainable water management, and the reshaping of the interactions between environment, infrastructure and humans it implies, increasingly requires consideration of the associated effects on urban liveability. This paper presents a suitable method of systematic assessment of water-related liveability benefits of different urban designs. The study identified a long list of potential indicators and then down-selected and tested 23 indicators that can quantify liveability aspects of water-related urban environment (green space, blue space, water infrastructure). These were used the quantify and compare water-related liveability of three development scenarios for a 130-ha precinct in South Australia. The study found that designs with water sensitive features contribute to the liveability of medium-density redevelopment through improved accessibility of green and blue space, use of irrigated green space, use of alternative water source systems and diversity of public green space. However, the effect of population size is notable, with the availability of blue and green space being higher in low-density scenarios. The study provides a methodology for understanding the relationship between water and liveability by measuring aspects of water-related environment as mid-point indicators, rather than end point indicators such as residential satisfaction. This work could inform further studies of the trade-offs between liveability and water provisioning in the design of future cities and climate adaptation efforts.

Identify the use of Sekartaji Park in Kediri City as a creative public space

Urban development in sub-urban areas occurs due to the agglomeration of residential areas which form a functional unity in urban activities. Continuous urban development will give rise to urban sustainability problems, one of which is the lack of available green open space to support the natural ecological cycle of a sustainable urban environment. Green Open Space as Creative Public Space can boost the regional economy because it is able to attract people to gather for recreation, play and work and has opened up opportunities for the development of the creative economy market. The Green Open Space of Sekartaji Park, Kediri City, can become a Creative Public Space, but it still experiences obstacles so it must be arranged according to the criteria and function of Creative Public Space. This research aims to utilize green open space into public open space. This research uses a qualitative descriptive research method. Data collection was carried out using literature studies, interviews and observations. The results of this research are the use of green open space as Creative Public Space with facilities and infrastructure for local economic activities, creativity-innovation in art, culture and social interaction.

Neighbourhood greenspaces and mental wellbeing among university students in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online survey under lockdown

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic mobility and socialization restrictions and the switch to online learning impacted the day-to-day life of university students in England, a group previously identified as at risk for low wellbeing. In April–May 2021, during the tail end of the third ‘lockdown’ in England, we implemented an online questionnaire to better understand mental wellbeing in relationship to use of outdoor green space among university students. This article presents the results from 424 responses collected across 4 universities in Oxford and Southampton. Analyses include descriptive results of indicators and hierarchical multiple linear regression models. Findings revealed that quality of greenspace had a greater importance on mental wellbeing than use and quantity of greenspace, even when controlling for sociodemographic factors. Also, neighbourhood greenspace quality contributed to wellbeing above and beyond sociodemographc, physical activity and social support. This result held true even among students with prior mental health difficulties. Findings underscore the importance of greenspace access for wellbeing. Neighbourhoods and university campuses should be planned with the notion in mind that greenspace matters and contributes to health.

Touch, feel, heal. The use of hospital green spaces and landscape as sensory-therapeutic gardens: a case study in a university clinic

It has been documented that patients with mental or physical disabilities can benefit from being placed within the setting of a natural environment. Consequently, the concept of creating spaces that can enhance health preservation or patient recovery, while also augmenting environmental and aesthetic value, has merged as a contemporary discourse. Green areas around hospitals can offer a great opportunity to incorporate healing gardens to benefit their patients and not only. The aim of this paper is to propose a design for a sensory-therapeutic garden based on key principles derived from selected academic literature, focusing on the application of these principles in a healthcare setting in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The design was informed also by onsite data collection and analysis, and it aims to create a healing landscape that addresses the needs of patients, healthcare providers, and visitors. This study seeks to augment the discourse in the field by demonstrating the practical application of key therapeutic garden design principles in a specific context and how these principles impacted the design process.

The health perception of urban green spaces and its emotional impact on young adults: an empirical study from three cities in China.

Exposure to green space can bring many benefits to physical and mental health, but in China, the attractiveness of green space to youth groups seems to be not significant. The question of how to encourage young people to go out of the house to better perceive green space, enjoy nature, and promote physical and mental health is on our minds. This study combines young people's green space perception, green space use, and purpose of visit to explore its impact on the emotional health of youth groups, combined with the PANAS psychological data scale, an online questionnaire survey of 426 residents (18-35 years old) in three Chinese cities, and was used to construct a multiple regression model and AMOS structural equations. The results of the study showed that, firstly, environmental attractiveness, environmental odor, and number of facilities were the key factors influencing adolescents' landscape perception evaluation, while activity space, environmental odor, and environmental attractiveness had a greater impact on adolescents' emotional well-being. Second, among adolescents' visit purposes, socializing and fitness were more likely to help them generate positive emotions while resting and viewing activities were effective in helping them alleviate negative emotions. In addition, in terms of usage, residents who took public transportation as well as those who arrived on foot were the most emotionally healthy. The findings of this paper provide insights for public policymakers, urban planners, and landscape architects to better encourage youth participation in green spaces when they are installed.

Greenspace use during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal population mobility study in the United Kingdom

BackgroundThe coronavirus pandemic greatly disrupted the lives of people. Restrictions introduced worldwide to limit the spread of infection included stay-at-home orders, closure of venues, restrictions to travel and limits to social contacts. During this time, parks and outdoor greenspaces gained prominent attention as alternative location for respite. Population mobility data offers a unique opportunity to understand the impact of the pandemic on outdoor behaviour. We examine the role of the restrictions on park use throughout the full span of the pandemic while controlling for weather and region. MethodsThis study provides a longitudinal population analysis of park visitation using Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports data in the UK. Daily park visitation was plotted and ANOVA analyses tested season and year effects in visitation. Then, regressions examined park visitation beyond weather (temperature and rain), according to COVID-19 restrictions, while controlling for region specificities through unit fixed effect models. ResultsTime series and ANOVA analyses documented the significant decrease in park visitation in the spring of 2020, the seasonal pattern in visitation, and an overall sustained and elevated use over nearly three years. Regressions confirmed park visitation increased significantly when temperature was greater and when it rained less. More visitation was also seen when there were fewer COVID-19 cases and when the stringency level of restrictions was lower. Of special interest, a significant interaction effect was found between temperature and stringency, with stringency significantly supressing the effect of higher temperature on visitation. ConclusionsCOVID-19 restrictions negatively impacted park visitation on warm days. Given the general health, social, and wellbeing benefits of greenspace use, one should consider the collateral negative impact of restrictions on park visitation. When social distancing of contacts is required, the few remaining locations where it can safely occur should instead be promoted.

Gender justice in green space use in relation to different socio-economic conditions in Tabriz, Iran

The importance of urban green areas in the quality of life for inhabitants has become more evident than ever due to reduced human contact with nature. Urban green areas must be accessible and usable for all groups of people, including different gender and socio-economic groups. However, there are tensions between equal use and access to urban green areas. The present study evaluates gender justice in the use of urban parks in different socio-economic areas of Tabriz city (Iran). The information required for this study has been collected by using 384 questionnaires based on Cochran's formula. Questionnaires were distributed randomly in different areas of Tabriz. The questions were categorized according to four factors which have a direct bearing on green space usage: accessibility, physical infrastructure, security, and culture. Data have been analysed based on hot spot analysis and the Moran index in ArcGIS software. The results show no significant differences between men and women in the use of urban parks in Tabriz. Significant differences were observed in the use of green spaces when upper and lower socio-economic areas are compared in that high-income areas enjoy better equipped and usable green spaces.

Istanbul Residents’ Perceptions of the Use of Green Spaces by Syrian Immigrants

The aim of this study is to determine the perceptions of the people of Istanbul regarding Syrian immigrants and their common use of urban green spaces. The causes of conflicts that Istanbul residents and Syrians immigrants have experienced in green spaces are also addressed. An exploratory sequential design was used, being one of the mixed methods in which qualitative and quantitative approaches are used together. Semi-structured interviews and content analysis were conducted for the qualitative part of the study. For the quantitative part, data were collected from 389 people in Istanbul with a survey consisting of Likert-type scale questions. Explanatory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the obtained data-set. As a result, it was found that Istanbul’s citizens have problems with Syrian immigrants in urban green spaces due to differences in activities, they expect Syrians to speak Turkish in mutual communication, and they do not want to interact with this group due to their negative attitude towards Syrian immigrants. More detailed research should be conducted to reduce the conflict between these groups. In addition, this study reveals that conflicts have increased due to the lack of green spaces, and an increase in green spaces may be proposed as a solution.

Perceived and geographic access to urban green spaces in New York City during COVID-19

In New York City (NYC), the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 induced a significant shift in the use and accessibility of urban green spaces (UGS). To understand the impact of COVID-19 on the access to UGS, we conducted a spatial analysis of geographic access to UGS and perceived access based on data collected from a social survey deployed from May 13 to June 15, 2020. We examine geographical accessibility to UGS and how this compares to perceived accessibility, or the ease which residents feel they can access a UGS. We further explored the correlation between spatial access to UGS and fifteen social vulnerability variables including economic status, household composition, minority status, and housing type for different zip codes. The results show that geographical proximity variables can predict a number of the perceived access variables, particularly those related to COVID-19 measures. Although lower-income communities were found to have higher spatial access to UGS, many of the same communities, including people living in crowded and multi-unit buildings, on average only have access to smaller green spaces, suggesting an uneven distribution of larger quality parks. This observation is further confirmed by survey results. These findings have implications for policies surrounding the distribution of UGS and whether equitable access is provided to NYC residents, with implications for similar patterns that may exist in other cities.

Increased nationwide use of green spaces in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the decline in human green space use and nature-based recreation in Western countries. While some evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased recreational mobility in urban green spaces, it is unclear whether the pandemic led to nationwide changes in green space use in both densely and less densely populated neighborhoods, as well as whether social inequalities in green space use were reinforced or attenuated by the pandemic. To address these questions, we used daily nationwide aggregated mobility data from more than 2 million cell phone subscribers in 14,331 geographical grids across Norway to examine potential changes in mobility in green spaces as measured by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) during the pandemic. Additionally, we controlled for weather conditions, holiday periods, and neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics. The results from linear mixed model analyses showed a 9.4% increase in recreational visits in the greenest spaces during the pandemic. Notably, this increase was most prominent in neighborhoods of low socioeconomic status (SES) and was observed in both high- and low-population density neighborhoods, although the increase was somewhat stronger in neighborhoods with low population density. Our study findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in increasing nationwide green space use in Norway and potentially narrowing the gap of green inequalities, thus highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting green spaces as a public health resource, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

S4-5 Framework for evaluation of green spaces for physical activity to support public health policy in Slovenija

Abstract Purpose Evidence suggests that green space use for physical activity significantly benefits to maintenance and improvement of public health. Settlements need to provide adequate access to public green spaces which enable and encourage physical activity. Provision of publicly accessible green spaces is therefore often included in different sectoral strategies and policies. However, to really meet goals and objectives, declared in these documents, appropriate and efficient actions need to be taken in spatial development practice on a local level. Methods We present the approach, developed within the first year of the national research project PREZENCA, which aims at developing indicators for the assessment of the provision of settlements with green spaces for outdoor physical activity in Slovenian municipalities. The approach may be of interest to countries which have adequately developed strategic spatial planning of urban green spaces but lack useful tools to assess the current state and to monitor changes in the provision of quality green and other outdoor spaces to encourage physical activity. Results The approach is based on a comprehensive analysis of examples and possibilities for measuring presence and quantity of green spaces, defining green space types, and measuring citizens’ accessibility and use of green spaces for physical activity. Content analysis of existing planning documents on a local level was carried out to elaborate: (1) whether the provision of green spaces in settlements in Slovenia is defined and how (2) which population groups are addressed and (3) where such content should be put into policy documents to support implementation in practice. Based on the results, the suggestions on relevant factors and indicators of green space provision and quality for physical activity were prepared to be further developed for evaluation and monitoring on the local level and included into spatial planning practice and policies. Conclusion Furthermore, we discuss the importance of establishing local standards and possibilities to include them into planning documents to form the basis for long-term monitoring of the condition of publicly accessible green spaces for recreational use by residents.

Ecological assessment of acoustic pollution of the city of Lviv and the effec-tiveness of noise measures

Anthropogenic and functional heterogeneities of urban landscapes contribute to the formation of local noise load centers. In cities, the acoustic background is multifactorial, that is, it is covered by different types of noise sources. However, the growth of traffic in cities is the first reason for the increase in noise pollution. Real-time studies of the traffic load of selected areas of the city, their acoustic load and the effectiveness of implemented noise protection devices (installation of noise protection screens) were conducted. The areas where the noise load of urban landscapes of Lviv was determined were selected taking into account the combination of different types of noise (automotive, automotive-railway, industrial-automotive) and the evaluation of the effectiveness of noise protection devices implemented nearby. Environmental assessment of the noise load of urban landscapes of Lviv showed in most cases that the equivalent and maximum noise levels were exceeded. The greatest noise pollution was on the street. The source level at the time of train movement is 88.2 dBA. For sections 1 and 2 (Lypinsky Str.), where automobile noise dominates, the exceedance of acoustic norms was within 7.5–13.4 dBA. For these areas, the average daily traffic load was determined to be 436 and 302 cars/hour, with the share of passenger cars of 73.2 and 79.6 %, respectively, of the total traffic flow. Modern urban planning should take into account noise pollution on a par with other factors of anthropogenic influence and visual aesthetics, because the constant noise background determines the degree of suitability of the urban landscape for living. The most common noise protection measures in residential areas are the use of construction and acoustic means and the formation of a system of green spaces. On the Lypynskyi Str., the efficiency of the installed noise protection screen in the form of a polycarbonate wall was 20 %, while on the Grabovsky St. noise protection screen of the “Green Wall” type – 23 %. The use of green spaces is also effective, which reduced the noise background by 16% on site 2 (Lypinsky Str. – Chornovola Ave.). For the city of Lviv, there is a need to conduct noise monitoring of the city and create a noise map.

Green Spaces as Healthy Places: Correlates of Urban Green Space Use in Singapore.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when stress levels were heightened and social connections were threatened, a spike in green space visits was observed. Drawing upon the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory, which explains the influence of personal values and world view on perceived obligations to the environment and to action, relevant correlates were examined in relation to people's psychological wellbeing in a bid to better elucidate this phenomenon. We aimed to explore the associations amongst a number of protective factors for psychological wellbeing and to examine the applicability of the VBN theory to wellbeing rather than environmental behaviour. Our research aim was to understand some of the correlates of the use of urban green spaces in Singapore during COVID-19. In total, 268 adult residents of Singapore completed an online survey measuring proximity/frequency of visits to green space, value orientations, nature connectedness, social connectedness, religious belief, spirituality and psychological wellbeing, along with sociodemographic variables such as age and gender. As predicted by the VBN theory, biospheric value orientation and spirituality were positively associated with nature connectedness. The nature connectedness association with psychological wellbeing was completely mediated by spirituality. Frequency of visits to nature was also positively associated with nature connectedness. Neither proximity to nature nor social connectedness were associated with nature connectedness. An altruistic value orientation was associated only with religious belief. Our results indicate that during uncertain times, people are drawing on either social or nature connections as coping mechanisms to fulfil psychological needs and enhance psychological wellbeing. Spirituality mediates this pathway for nature connectedness but not for social connectedness.