Although open spaces are known to improve the health and well-being of residents, little contextual evidence is reported in developing countries. This study examined the relationships among ...socio-economic characteristics of residents, the attributes and uses of neighbourhood open spaces and self-rated health of residents. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey with 1659 participants in Osogbo, Osun State Nigeria. Primary data were collected through pretested questionnaires, while direct observation was used to obtain information on attributes of open spaces. Secondary data, such as maps were obtained from Osun State Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Structural equation model (mediation analysis) was used to examine the relationships among the variables by estimating their direct and indirect paths of relationships as well as their mediating effects on self-rated health. The mediation analysis results showed that age, household size, income and education level significantly influenced residents' assessment of open space quality. Also, physical, stress reduction and social cohesion activities influenced the relationship between open spaces and health indirectly (CFI = 0.802, RMSEA = 0.015, p < 0. 005). The study concluded that open spaces influenced residents' health indirectly through activities performed.
The cultural and social benefits of green open spaces (GOSs) are frequently disregarded in environmental planning and policy. The online PPGIS tool, mygreenplace.be, was used to map the cultural ...ecosystem services (CES) in the GOSs along the Woluwe River. This research aims to clarify the role of CES, spatial qualities and travel distance in GOSs' valuation and their respective environmental planning and management. The analysis revealed that highly valued GOSs (CES hot spots) offer a diverse combination of CES, mainly activities related to playing and exercising, gathering and consuming. Likewise, these popular, highly valued GOSs provide various facilities enabling these activities (e.g. restaurants, water elements and transportation). Although travel distance proved quintessential for using GOSs, other factors, such as their qualities and attributes, can determine whether, and how frequently, respondents use a particular GOS. Finally, the data showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has positively influenced the use of and appreciation for GOSs.
Urban open spaces have great potential for all kinds of urban activities, and one of the important functions of these spaces is leisure time, which has become more important in recent decades due to ...the rapid growth of urbanization and the revolution that has occurred in the lifestyle of citizens. Dealing with the issue of quality in urban open spaces for spending leisure time, and analyzing and identifying the most important indicators affecting the quality of these spaces can be especially important for managers and urban planners. Therefore, introducing a process that can provide a proper analysis and evaluation of urban open spaces and factors affecting their quality is important and is one of the goals of this research. This research has been carried out using a descriptive-analytical method with a quantitative-qualitative approach and as a case study. In this research, using theoretical foundations, 45 indicators of quality in urban open spaces were introduced (as an evaluation checklist) and then, using the exploratory walking technique, the mentioned indicators were evaluated in selected open spaces of Arak city. The necessary data has been collected. Then, by using a factor analysis structural measurement model, the influence coefficient of each indicator has been calculated as the weight of the criteria. And then, using the weight of each index and TOPSIS technique, the studied open spaces have been compared and ranked. In this way, a practical process for analyzing and evaluating the quality of urban open spaces for leisure time has been introduced. Based on the results, it was determined that the indicators "the existence of areas and facilities for games and excitement for all ages" and "the existence and conditions of cozy and secluded spaces and the facilities for creating climatic comfort" in improving the quality of urban open spaces for spending leisure time, are the most effective indexers. Also, among the studied open spaces in Arak city, the "Laaleh Amusement Park" and " Shohadaye Gomnaam Park" have won the first and second places, respectively, for spending leisure time.
Urban spaces offer considerable social, health, environmental, and economic benefits to cities and citizens. As a result, attracting more people to urban outdoor spaces is a goal of sustainable urban ...planning. This study conducted field surveys in a park in Tianjin, in northern China, to study the impacts of thermal comfort and life patterns on the intensity of activity in urban spaces. Analysis of the data found that subjects who engaged in intense activity were less sensitive to cold than to heat. The attendance of people with children exhibited a very high rate of decrease as the thermal environment became unfavorable. When the thermal environment changed from cold to hot, people in the park adapted by moving from open to shaded spaces. This study revealed that different activities followed distinctive patterns. Intense activity occurred mainly in the afternoon, attending to children occurred primarily in the morning, and low-intensity activity happened all day, but its occurrence decreased at noon. By incorporating the impact of thermal comfort and life patterns, this study developed a mixed-influence model to analyze the hourly usage rate in the park. The findings of this study are useful for designers seeking to create sustainable and attractive open spaces.
Urban green space (UGS) is often unevenly distributed in cities, which raises the issue of green justice. Previous studies have focused on evaluating the disparities in UGS provision across ...urban-rural gradients and inequities among heterogeneous social groups. However, few studies have considered the built environments in communities despite the potential for unprecedented rates of urbanization to exacerbate the living environment disparity within cities. Here, we assessed the disparities in UGS provision in communities with diverse built environments using a systematic framework incorporating availability, proximity, and desirability metrics. Specifically, we classified communities into six levels based on their spatial features such as patterns of development, scale, population density, and ‘green’ assets (e.g., private garden and tree-canopy coverage). Lorenz curves and the Gini index were employed to evaluate inequity, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine the significant differences among different levels of community. Yangzhou city, China, was selected as a study case, and the results indicate that: (1) UGS is unevenly distributed, and communities located in the urban periphery have lower UGS provision; (2) Serious inequities in UGS provision are demonstrated, with a small proportion of the population having the greatest level of provision; (3) Significant disparities in UGS provision among different levels of community are revealed; generally, residents living in communities with a well-maintained ‘green’ assets enjoy access to more major public UGS. Our study provides a novel perspective on quantifying UGS provision inequities. It can help guide decision-makers and planners to accurately target vulnerable groups (communities) and formulate effective policies and strategies to address green injustice.
•Urban green space (UGS) provision was evaluated using a systematic framework.•Communities that are lack of public UGS resources were identified.•Community with less well-maintained ‘green’ assets tend to have less access to major public UGS.•Novel evidence of ‘green injustice’ in rapidly urbanizing cities was suggested.
Urban green spaces are associated with many health outcomes, but the mechanisms underlying these links remain unclear. One explanation is that biodiverse microbiomes in green spaces affect human ...health by modifying immune function. Our systematic review included studies that investigated the relationship between green space and either health or biodiversity. Reported effects of green space on health were generally positive, but 22% of the papers identified either no effect or negative effects. We also found that although green space was commonly associated with biodiversity, few green-space health studies simultaneously examined biodiversity. Overreliance on cross-sectional studies, various definitions of green space, and a lack of research in tropical and developing nations limit the conclusions that can be drawn. A better understanding of the biological aspects of contact with nature is required before city planners can optimize green spaces for health gains.
Social cohesion involves the interpersonal dynamics and sense of connection among people. Increased social cohesion can be associated with various physical and psychological health benefits. The ...presence of urban green spaces can encourage positive social interactions that cultivate social cohesion in ways that enhance health and well-being. Urban green spaces have also been linked to positive health behaviors and outcomes including increased physical activity and social engagement. Understanding the relationship between social cohesion and urban green space is important for informing holistic approaches to health. In this article, we discuss how positive interactions in urban green space can catalyze social cohesion, social capital and critical health-promoting behaviors that may enhance psychological health and well-being. We also summarize the strengths and limitations of previous studies and suggest directions for future research.
•Water sounds and ratings of soundscape quality were not directly related.•Using water sounds to mask road-traffic noise is not simple and straight forward.•Water sounds may affect the audibility of ...wanted as well as unwanted sounds.•Water features ought to be pre-tested before constructed.
A field experiment was conducted to explore whether water sounds from a fountain had a positive impact on soundscape quality in a downtown park. In total, 405 visitors were recruited to answer a questionnaire on how they perceived the park, including its acoustic environment. Meanwhile the fountain was turned on or off, at irregular hours. Water sounds from the fountain were not directly associated with ratings of soundscape quality. Rather, the predictors of soundscape quality were the variables “Road-traffic noise” and “Other natural sounds”. The former had a negative and the latter a positive impact. However, water sounds may have had an indirect impact on soundscape quality by affecting the audibility of road-traffic and natural sounds. The present results, obtained in situ, agree with previous results in soundscape research that the sounds perceived—particularly roadtraffic and natural sounds—explain soundscape quality. They also agree with the results from laboratory studies that water sounds may mask road-traffic sounds, but that this is not simple and straight forward. Thus sound should be brought into the design scheme when introducing water features in urban open spaces, and their environmental impact must be thoroughly assessed empirically.
Thermal comfort and environmental health in scenic open spaces, a communication bridge between tourists and their environment, are prerequisites for tourism activities. In this study, scenic open ...spaces in an urban area of Xi'an, China were selected. Thermal perception (thermal sensation, comfort and acceptability) of residents and tourists were investigated through meteorological measurement and questionnaire survey. Physiological equivalent temperature (PET) was used to determine thermal benchmarks of all visitors to the site. Variables that influence individual thermal perception assessment (physical, individual, society and psychology) were measured and compared. Finally, a series of strategies and suggestions were proposed based on meteorological characteristics and influencing factors of thermal perception from perspectives of designers and scenic spot managers. Results show that: 1) Neutral PET (NPET) of respondents were 17.3 °C (residents) and 15.5 °C (tourists). Neutral PET ranges (NPETR) were 8.9–25.8 °C (residents) and 7.2–23.8 °C (tourists). Preferred PET values were 20.1 °C (residents) and 19.7 °C (tourists). Thermal acceptability ranges (TAR) were 6.3–37.8 °C (residents) and 0.5–39.9 °C (tourists). 2) In winter, physical factors were primary influencers of residents' thermal perception, followed by social factors, while tourists' thermal perception was mainly influenced by physical factors. In spring, physical factors were still the primary influencers for residents, followed by individual factors. Physical factors were also dominant for tourists, followed by psychological. In summer, physical factors were the major influencing factors for residents and tourists' thermal perceptions.
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•Resident and tourist thermal perceptions in scenic open spaces in Xi'an, China were investigated.•Outdoor thermal benchmarks for residents and tourists were established.•Influential factors on residents and tourists' thermal perception were identified.•Bioclimatic design strategies and recommendations were proposed from multiple perspectives.
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