The impact of urban green spaces on public health and well-being.

Introduction

Urban green spaces, such as parks and gardens, are increasingly recognized for their potential to enhance public health and well-being. As urbanization continues to rise globally, understanding the impact of these green spaces on various health outcomes is crucial for urban planning and policy-making.

Key Insights

Positive Health Outcomes:
- Urban green spaces are associated with lower mortality rates, reduced heart rates, and decreased violence .
- Increased physical activity, improved mood, and better attention levels are linked to exposure to urban green spaces .
- Higher perceived quality and quantity of urban green spaces are modestly related to increased life expectancy and healthy life expectancy.
Mental Health and Well-being:
- Frequent interaction with green spaces correlates with higher levels of well-being and psychological health .
- Changes in perceptions of green space quantity are positively associated with psychological well-being over time.
Social and Environmental Benefits:
- Green spaces provide areas for social interaction and community activities, contributing to social well-being .
- They help mitigate urban heat, offset greenhouse gas emissions, and manage stormwater, which indirectly benefits public health .
Context-Dependent Effects:
- The health benefits of green spaces can vary based on economic context; richer cities see more positive health outcomes, while poorer cities may experience reduced public health with increased green space.
- Proximity to green spaces affects well-being, with optimal benefits observed for residents living 1-5 km away from green spaces.
Challenges and Considerations:
- The relationship between green spaces and health is complex and multifactorial, influenced by accessibility, quality, and functionality of the green spaces.
- There is a need for more rigorous studies to generalize findings and understand the mediating effects of green spaces on health .

Conclusion

Urban green spaces play a significant role in enhancing public health and well-being by promoting physical activity, improving mental health, and providing social and environmental benefits. However, the impact of these spaces can vary based on economic context and proximity. Future urban planning should consider the quality, accessibility, and functionality of green spaces to maximize their health benefits. More comprehensive and rigorous research is needed to fully understand and optimize the health impacts of urban green spaces.

The impact of urban green spaces on public health and well-being.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health

Urban green space exposure is associated with lower mortality, heart rate, and violence, and increased attention, mood, and physical activity, but mixed results on weight status, depression, and stress.

Effects of urban green spaces on residents’ well-being

Urban green spaces positively impact residents' well-being, with the highest well-being found within 1-5 km of a park or green space, and lower well-being found over 10 km away.

The effect of urban green on small-area (healthy) life expectancy

Urban green space quantity and quality positively impact small-area life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, with potential benefits from reduced stress, increased physical activity, improved microclimate, and reduced air pollution.

Green space benefits for health and well-being: A life-course approach for urban planning, design and management

Urban green spaces promote health and well-being across the life course, and a life-course approach can guide urban planning and design to meet diverse needs across all life stages.

The importance of green spaces to public health: a multi-continental analysis.

Green spaces are associated with better public health in richer cities, but may reduce it in poorer cities, highlighting the context-dependent nature of their health benefits.

Value of urban green spaces in promoting healthy living and wellbeing: prospects for planning

Urban green spaces promote health and wellbeing through their functionality, rather than their physical characteristics, and urban planning should balance health benefits with community needs and functionality.

Impacts of Urban Blue-Green Space on Residents’ Health: A Bibliometric Review

Urban blue-green spaces positively impact residents' physical, mental, and public health, but more research is needed to understand their mediating effects and differences in health effects across ages and social classes.

Changes in perceptions of urban green space are related to changes in psychological well-being: Cross-sectional and longitudinal study of mid-aged urban residents.

Perceptions of urban green space quantity are positively associated with psychological well-being in mid-aged urban residents.

GREEN SPACES AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN URBAN AREAS

Urban green spaces contribute to improved public health, environmental, economic, and social well-being, potentially resulting in savings or income for cities.

Public Urban Green Spaces: Combining Goals for Sustainability, Urban Health and Well-being

Urban green public spaces can improve health and well-being by promoting safe mobility and access to basic ecosystems, contributing to SDG 11 targets.

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