My research question is about how you can make green spaces more accessible to low-income communities in Chicago.  Green spaces are public areas with natural vegetation, such as grass, plants, or trees.  These spaces may also include built environment features like urban parks, less managed areas, as well as woodland and nature reserves.  Green spaces are extremely beneficial for numerous health benefits, improve air quality, and increase biodiversity.  Some health benefits from having access to more green spaces are longer life expectancy, fewer mental health issues, less cardiovascular disease, better cognitive function in children and the elderly, and healthier babies.  Often lower income communities are left out and left behind, excluded from the many benefits of green spaces.  Within the literature review we hit on the social benefits, environmental benefits, and a few examples of green spaces and urban nature positively influencing the communities around them.  

• Green spaces are public areas with natural vegetation, such as grass, plants, or trees.  In other words, a green space is a place of nature in an urban environment often used for beautification purposes and/or for recreational purposes. These spaces may also include built environment features like urban parks, less managed areas, as well as woodland and nature reserves.  Not only are they beneficial to the environment but they are also great for your health. 

•  Reduce crime rates

•  Improve air quality

•  Enhances biodiversity

•  Reduces noise

•  Stress and violence reduction

•  Improved concentration

•  Better health levels/ conditions 

•  Improvements in healing processes

• Environmental improvements

• Safer driving

• Promotes productivity

• Reduces health risks

• Economic stimulation

The theoretical framework that I chose as a foundation for my proposal is the socio-ecological framework for the relationship between greenspace access and health.  This is talking about the balance and relationships between people and nature in relations to their health and social/economical status.  There are many key constructs and concepts that work together to create complete this particular theoretical framework.  The term socio-ecological is the complex interplay between individuals, relationships, community, and other societal factors.  It is the balance between an individual and their surrounding environments.  For the relationship aspect, it is the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected.  Also, it is a partnership were everything works together for everyone to benefit positively.