‘Green Health’ (Physical & Mental)
The accelerated expansion of urban areas bringing about heightened air, noise, heat pollution etc. affect city-dwellers well-being ever stronger (Maja et al. 2016, pp. 8). Maja et al. (2016) connect one of the “main causes of disease and premature death in the Europe“ (Maja et al. 2016, pp. 8) to “habits and lifestyle with the environment“ accentuating the importance of access to green urban spaces. There is overwhelming evidence contained in scientific studies which explore the ‘nature – health’ relatinship in urban areas.
Rapid expansion of urban centers affect not only the physical well-being of people, but also their mental health. An increasing cohord of scientists continue to study the connection of disorders associated with mental health and the positive impact of green space (Bradbury, 2020 as quoted by Fernández Núñez et al. 2022, pp. 1). The claim that the urban green present benefits for “mental health, including in the form of social cohesion and reduced stress-related disorders“ is clear (Kaplan, 1995; Hartig et al., 2003; Maas et al., 2009; Fernández Núñez et al., 2022, pp. 1). Much remains to be explored about the mental health and the impact of green urban spaces, especially through a gendered and feminist lens.
Physical Benefits:
“[The] main causes of disease and premature death in the Europe and the other urbanized parts [relates to] the everyday habits and lifestyle with the environment in which one lives” (Maja et al. 2016, pp. 8).
Urban Parks haave a positive effect on the physical well-being like:
The reduction of Obesity (1), especially in children whom they believe are at “greatest risk with the greatest need for intervention and focus“ (Botchwey et al. 2014, pp. 114),
Diabetes (2)
Heart disease (3)
Respiratory Problems (4)
Hypertension (5)
Exposure to Pollutants (6)
Physical Activity (7)
Reduction of Heath complications (8)
General Mortality (9)
and others
mental benefits:
Urban green spaces present positive benefits for “mental health, including in the form of social cohesion and reduced stress-related disorders“ (Kaplan, 1995; Hartig et al., 2003; Maas et al., 2009; Fernández Núñez et al., 2022, pp. 1).
Urban Parks haave a positive effect on the mental well-being like:
Reducing levels of Depression (10) with “women estimated to be two times more likely to suffer from depression than men“ (Freeman and Freeman, 2013 as quoted by ibid., pp. 1).
Decreasing Stress (11) was measured by “measured using psychological tests, statistics, and physiological measures, such as cortisol levels“ (ibid., pp. 5)
Decreasing other Mental disorders like: Suicide (12), schizophrenia (13), obsessive-compulsive (14), and borderline type (15)
Improving Psychological Wellbeing (16) like: o
Mindfulness, Curiosity, Flexible-Thinking and Creativity/Ideation (17)
Mood, Attention and Cognitive Function (18)
Regulation of emotions like: Anger (19)
Improving Behavior (20) towards neighbors and other inhabitants
Improving: Social Interactions (21)
Creating a sense of belonging and safety (22)
Studies for physical benefits of green spaces:
(1) See Studies: Jackson, Dannenberg, and Frumkin (2013); Botchwey et al. 2014, pp. 114; HHS 2013a; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 2; Bowler et al., 2010; Maja et al. 2006, pp. 2 15
(2) See Studies: HHS 2013a; Botchwey et al. 2014, pp. 114; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 1; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 2; Bowler et al., 2010; Maja et al. 2006, pp. 2 16
(3) See Studies: HHS 2013a; Botchwey et al. 2014, pp. 114; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 1; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 2; Bowler et al., 2010); Maja et al. 2006, pp. 2 17
(4) See Studies: Lovasi et al. 2008; Haase et al. 2014, pp. 414; Maja et al. 2006, pp. 1 18
(5) See Studies: Chen et al. 2020, pp. 1; Bowler et al., 2010; Maja et al. 2006, pp. 2
(6) See Studies: Bearer 1995; Botchwey et al. 2014, pp. 114; HHS 2013a; Gomez-Baggethun et al. 2013; Haase et al. 2014, pp. 414 20
(7) See Studies: Botchwey et al. 2014, pp. 114; Kaczynski et al., 2008; Calvin Wan, Geoffrey Qiping Shen, Stella Choi 2020; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 2; Kaczynski et al., 2009; Xingyue et al. 2020, pp. 2 21
(8) See Studies: Haase et al. 2014, pp. 414; Schwarz et al. 2011; 22
(9) See Studies: Maas et al. 2006; Mitchell and Popham 2008; Haase et al. 2014, pp. 414; Tyrväinen at al., 2014; Maja et al., pp. 2 2
Studies for mental benefits of green spaces:
(10) See Studies: Raggi et al., 2014; Koohsari et al., 2018; Bos et al., 2016; Mullings et al., 2013; Engemann et al., 2019; Sarkar et al., 2018; Fernández Núñez et al. 2022, pp. 4; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 1; Lee & Maheswaran, 2010; Maja et al., pp. 2; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 2
(11) See Studies: Kaplan, 1995; Hartig et al., 2003 as quoted by Xingyue et al. 2020, pp. 2; Engemann et al., 2019; Roe et al., 2013; Annerstedt., 2012; Bos et al., 2016; Shu and Ma, 2020; Ulrich et al., 1991; Lee & Maheswaran, 2010; Maja et al., pp. 2
(12) See Studies: Lee & Maheswaran, 2010; Maja et al., pp. 2; Helbich et al., 2020; Fernández Núñez et al. 2022, pp. 5 26
(13) See Studies: Fernández Núñez et al. 2022, pp. 5 27
(14) See Studies: ibid. 29
(15) See Studies: athleen L. Wolf, 2017; de Vries et al., 2003; Maas et al., 2009; Van den Berg et al., 2010; Sarkar et al. (2018); Ulrich et al., 1991;
(16) See Studies: Kathleen L. Wolf, 2017 31
(17) See Studies: Ibid.; Ulrich et al., 1991; Kaplan, 1995; Coley et al., 1997; Maas et al., 2009; Calvin Wan, Geoffrey Qiping Shen, Stella Choi 2020
(18) See Studies: Lee & Maheswaran, 2010; Maja et al., pp. 2 33
(19) See Studies: Whitley et al., 2005; Fernández Núñez et al. 2022, pp. 5;
(20) See Studies: Coley et al., 1997; Maas et al., 2009; Calvin Wan, Geoffrey Qiping Shen, Stella Choi 2020; Chen et al. 2020, pp. 2 35
(21) See Studies: Bahriny and Bell, 2020; Currie et al., 2016; Fernández Núñez et al. 2022, pp. 5