Neighbourhood amenity and depression

Aims and method:

Assesses the association between urban neighbourhood amenity and depression in older adults and how this is modified by mobility. This cross-sectional study used data from a random digit dial sample of community-dwelling older adults in Philadelphia, PA (age range: 65-98, n=658). Amenity diversity was assessed using the LEED-ND index for participants’ neighbourhoods. Mobility was assessed using the Life-Space Assessment (LSA). Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Key findings:

· Mobility significantly modified association between amenity, diversity and depression.

· After adjustment for factors such as: age, sex, education, marital status, race / ethnicity, smoking, and income, high mobility older adults living in low amenity and moderate amenity neighbourhoods were more likely to have symptoms of depression compared to people living in high neighbourhood amenity areas (OR 95%, CI: 5.75, 1.14 – 28.91, 3.93, 0.80-19.19, respectively).

· Neighbourhood amenity diversity was not associated with depression among low mobility older adults.

Reference:

Shahirah, G., LeVasseur, M. & Michael, Y. (2017) "Neighbourhood Amenities and Depressive Symptoms in Urban-Dwelling Older Adults." Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health; 2:4

http://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/journal2-olderadults.html

Environmental quality, incivilities and mental health

Aims and method:

Studies possible psychosocial consequences of peoples’ subjective perceptions of their everyday street-level environment, such as the incidence of litter and graffiti. A random sample of 1637 adults living across a range of neighbourhoods throughout Scotland were interviewed.

Key findings:

· Respondents with the highest levels of perceived street-level incivilities were almost twice as likely as those who perceived the lowest levels of street-level incivilities to report frequent feelings of anxiety and depression.

· Perceived absence of environmental quality and amenities was associated with increased anxiety (2.5 times more likely) and depression (90% more likely), and a 50% increased likelihood of being a smoker.

Reference:

Ellaway, A., Morris, G., Curtice, J., Robertson, C., Allardice, G., & Robertson, R. (2009). Associations between health and different types of environmental incivility: a Scotland-wide study. Public health, 123(11), 708-713.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19883927

Urban versus rural impacts on mental health

Aims and method:

Investigates whether there is an association between type of living environment (urban versus rural) and anxiety, depression and psychosis. Data was obtained from the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics database and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation for urban / rural classifications of 6505 data zones across Scotland.

Key findings:

· Urban / rural classification significantly predicted poorer mental health both before (β=−0.29) and after (β=−0.20) controlling for a large number of socio-economic variables

· Urban areas notably had higher rates of prescriptions for psychotropic medication for anxiety, depression and psychosis.

Reference:

McKenzie, K., Murray, A., & Booth, T. (2013). Do urban environments increase the risk of anxiety, depression and psychosis? An epidemiological study. Journal of affective disorders, 150(3), 1019-1024.

http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk/science/article/pii/S0165032713003911

Blue space preference and restorative potential

Aims and method:

Investigates the restorative effect of aquatic environments or ‘blue space’. A set of 120 photographs of natural and built scenes were collated, half of which contained ‘aquatic’ elements. Proportions of aquatic, green and built environments in each scene were standardised. Preferences (attractiveness, willingness to visit and willingness to pay for a hotel room with the view), affect and perceived restorativeness ratings were assessed.

Key findings:

· Both natural and built scenes containing water were associated with higher preferences, greater positive affect and higher perceived restorativeness (relief from stress) than those without water. Effect sizes were consistently large.

· Intriguingly, images of built environments containing water were rated just as positively as natural green space.

Reference:

White, M., Smith, A., Humphryes, K., Pahl, S., Snelling, D., & Depledge, M. (2010). Blue space: The importance of water for preference, affect, and restorativeness ratings of natural and built scenes. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(4), 482-493.

http://www.sciencedirect.com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk/science/article/pii/S0272494410000496

The physical environment and mental well-being

Aims and method:

Examined the strength of association between physical and social factors in the built environment and mental well-being to determine which factors are the most important. A postal survey based on a theoretical model of domains that might link the physical and urban environment with mental well-being was sent to 2696 adults aged 18 years or over, in four areas of Greenwich, London. Mental health was measured using the SF36 sub-scales for mental health and vitality. Additional household and area level data was appended for each respondent from a range of sources in relation to the 1012 questionnaires returned. A range of confounders were controlled for.

Key findings:

· The study confirms an association between the physical environment and mental well-being across a range of domains.

· The most important factors that operate independently are neighbour noise, sense of over-crowding in the home and escape facilities such as green spaces and community facilities, and fear of crime.

· The study highlighted the need to intervene on both design and social features of residential areas in order to promote mental well-being.

Reference:

Guite, H., Clark, C., & Ackrill, G. (2012). The impact of the physical and urban environment on mental well-being. Public Health, 120, 1117-1126.

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.473.926&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Outdoor (and indoor) air pollution and cognitive ability in children

Aims and method:

This study examined outdoor and indoor air quality at ages 9 months and 3 years and their association with cognitive ability at age 3 in England and Wales. Data from 8198 Millennium Cohort Study children were analysed using multilevel regression. Outdoor air quality was assessed with mean annual estimates of nitrogen dioxide levels within a standard small area. Indoor air quality was measured with parent-reports of damp or condensation in the home and exposure to secondhand smoke in the home. Cognitive ability was assessed with the British Ability Scales Naming Vocabulary scale and the Bracken School Readiness Assessment.

Key findings:

• In adjusted models, consistent exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide at age 9 months and age 3 years was associated with lower verbal ability at age 3 years. 

• Damp/condensation and secondhand smoke in the home at either age or at both ages were correlated with lower school readiness at age 3 years. 

• Exposures to damp/condensation at age 3 years or at both ages and secondhand smoke at either age or at both ages were associated with lower verbal ability at age 3 years.

Reference:

Midouhas, E., Kokosi, T., & Flouri, E. (2018). Outdoor and indoor air quality and cognitive ability in young children. Environmental Research, 161, 321-328.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935117317024?via%3Dihub

Design process, value and well-being

Aims and method:

Evidence is collected through a literature review that highlights key challenges in the process of assessing the value of design in the built environment, and 12 interviews and a focus group with stakeholders to investigate the way in which well-designed buildings and places are currently ‘valued’ within the built environment sector of Scotland. Additionally, an online survey was carried out to capture how the value of built environments are determined by a range of practitioners (96 completed responses). National survey data is compared across four case studies to provide quality-of-life metrics towards understanding the ways design adds value to built environments and enhances wellbeing.

Key findings:

• Design as a process can play a fundamental and positive role in the different stages of development in the built environment (site selection, project team selection development concept, masterplan, pre-application and on site)

• The case studies present evidence that embedding design thinking early and then consistently through the built environment development decision making process results in improvements in the quality of outcomes related to well-being

Reference:

Wheeler, D., Roberston, M. & Ross, G. (2014). The Value of Design in the Built Environment (Scotland). Directorate for Local Government and Communities, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20170105055013/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/AandP/Skills/Value-of-Design

Sense of place, communal space, and mental health

Aims and method:

The paper explored ‘sense of place’ and its possible mediating effects on the relationship between communal space and the mental health of residents in high-rise public housing. The study drew on data from a questionnaire survey conducted in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Key findings:

·      Sense of place and its subcomponents (place identity, place attachment and place dependence) mediated a connection between communal space and mental health in Hong Kong but not in Guangzhou where the quality of spaces was lower and residents were less established in the area.

·      Place identity, place attachment and place dependence had stronger effects among older residents in HK than younger ones.

Reference:

Zhang, T., Liu, J., Chen, H., & Ng, M. K. (2022). The Associations of Communal Space with Sense of Place and Mental Health in Public Housing: Evidence from Guangzhou and Hong Kong. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 16178.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316178

Built environment and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown

Aims and method:

The study used logistic regression and hierarchical regression analyses to examine the relationship between built environment and mental health utilising a data sample from United Kingdom (UK) residents during the COVID-19 lockdown while considering their social demographics.

Key findings:

·      Homes with gardens or balconies, those with home workspace, and those in neighbourhood environments with good access to open space and medical facilities were all identified to have significantly contributed to a more positive resident mental health status

·      No correlation was detected with the presence of shopping facilities or social demographics.

Reference:

Xiao, J., Zhao, J., Luo, Z., Liu, F., & Greenwood, D. (2022). The impact of built environment on mental health: A COVID-19 lockdown perspective. Health & Place, 77, Article 102889. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102889

Nature and young people’s mental health and wellbeing

Aims and method:

This paper presents qualitative research with young multi-ethnic urban residents living in a northern UK city. Using interviews and creative arts workshops, it explored the value of urban nature for the mental health and wellbeing of 24 young people aged 17–27 years, nine of whom had lived experience of mental health difficulties.

Key findings:

·      Trees, water, open spaces and views were frequently experienced nature typologies offering benefits.

·      Deteriorating landscapes, young people's shifting identities and perceived time pressures disrupted support.

·      Young people expressed how urban nature encounters were experienced as accepting and relational, offering a stronger sense of self; feelings of escape; connection and care with the human and non-human world.

Reference:

Birch, J., Rishbeth, C., & Payne, S. R. (2020). Nature doesn’t judge you – how urban nature supports young people’s mental health and wellbeing in a diverse UK city. Health & Place, 62, Article 102296. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102296

Built open urban space, attention restoration and stress recovery

Aims and method:

The paper presents a within-subjects pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental field study that assessed the restoration experience of a sample of university students (N =34) visiting two squares in a European city. 

Key findings:

·      Participants’ attentional performance improved and levels of depression and stress decreased after spending 20 min in the squares. 

·      Visits to such places stop the increase of negative feelings (blocking the accumulation of attentional fatigue and negative mood) but do not increase positive feelings. 

·      Built open urban settings can provide some restorative benefits, particularly for urban-oriented people.

Reference:

Subiza-Pérez, M., Korpela, K., & Pasanen, T. (2021). Still not that bad for the grey city: A field study on the restorative effects of built open urban places. Cities, 111, 103081. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.103081

Subjective well-being and the built environment

Aims and method:

The paper attempts to address gaps in knowledge relating to pathways between subjective well-being and the built environment by providing an overview of the state of knowledge against seven potential pathways.

Key findings:

·      The links between subjective well-being and the built environment are numerous

·      Positive outcomes can be delivered by enhancing conditions for active travel while improving public transport; providing easy access to facilities and services; integrating urban nature into accessible, inclusive public spaces; investing in maintenance and upkeep; noise reduction strategies; and aesthetically pleasing buildings and public spaces 

Reference:

Mouratidis K (2021) Urban planning and quality of life: A review of pathways linking the built environment to subjective well-being, Cities, 115: 103229,

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264275121001293