How urban green spaces relate to health and well-being

Urban green spaces in the living environment can make a significant contribution to health and well-being. In particular, the objective quantity of green space within a geographical territory has been found to be associated with these health benefits. However, within the tightly packed urban fabric, the possibilities of contact with green space are often diminished due to the fact that limited green space is available. It challenges both policy makers and design professionals to efficiently use urban green spaces and optimize their health and well-being values. To address these needs, more knowledge is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the relationship between urban green space and health benefits as well as the qualities of urban green space that could attain such benefits. Therefore, this thesis aims to extend and deepen current research on health benefits of green space by taking a relational perspective that emphasizes the role of emotional and physical interactions and dependencies between people and green spaces. It draws on empirical studies in both the Netherlands and China, and attempts to broaden the scope of health-oriented green space studies.

See also press release 30 November 2015:

Neighbourhood green spaces healthier when easier to access and use

Inhabitants of a neighbourhood with lots of accessible and usable green spaces are more attached to these areas and feel mentally healthier than inhabitants of a neighbourhood with an equal amount of less accessible green space. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by University of Groningen PhD candidate Yang Zhang among 223 inhabitants of the Groningen districts Corpus den Hoorn-Noord and De Hoogte.

http://www.rug.nl/news-and-events/news/archief2015/nieuwsberichten/buurtgroen-gezonder-als-het-makkelijk-toegankelijk-en-bruikbaar-is

Dissertation: http://hdl.handle.net/11370/760558a3-7816-40f3-b5a5-43c71190d853