https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829208001172#!
Many studies have proven that interaction with green space has positive health benefits. Recovery from stress and attention fatigue, encouragement of physical activity and facilitation of social contact are often cited as mechanisms for health benefits around green spaces. There is a significant amount of research supporting recovery from stress and the encouragement of physical activity. Less is known about social contact and its relationship to health benefits in green spaces. The idea is that spaces for, green meeting places, group-based nature activities, and shared gardening can impact health outcomes.
In 2008 NIVEL (Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research) embarked on a study to understand the correlation between green spaces, social contact, and health benefits. Within the study, the group clarified that social contact can also be termed social integration, social relationships, and social support. The study states that social contact can take many forms such as, "having a conversation, undertaking joint activities and paying visits". They recognize that it is already widely understood that social contact has health benefits and increases longevity. They focus their study on the role green spaces play in the equation. Their study looked at 10,089 residents of the Netherlands and calculated the percentage of green space within 1 to 3 km around their postal code. The study did find that less green space in resident's living environment led to a feeling of loneliness and a perceived shortage of social support.
When contacting residents, the study looked at the following measurements:
Self-reported health indicators
Perceived general health - participants rate themselves on a five-point scale from excellent to bad.
Number of health complaints - Health complaints experienced in the last 14 days
Self-rated propensity to psychiatric morbidity - A variable measured to classify a participants risk of psychopathology
Social Contacts
Loneliness - self rated score from 6-18
Social Support - measurement of the social support an individual gets from their community
Contact with neighbors and friends in the neighborhood - Amount of social contact a participant gets with his or her neighbor in a given week
Their data concluded that people with more green space around their home feel less lonely and experience less shortage of social support. However, they didn't have more contact with neighbors or friends and they didn't receive more social support. These results show that green space has more benefits towards place recognition and sense of community for residents rather than actual contact with neighbors. It terms of demographics, the study shows that these relationships are strongest in urban areas. The relationships is also the strongest among children and elderly because of their limited mobility. Lastly, the relationship is strongest for low-income and low-education residents. The study was also done in a low-income neighborhood in Chicago and results were supported.
Meghna and I are focusing our final project on the public spaces on our site with the concept of social interaction. The study that NIVEL did supports the adjustments we have made to our site, adding green space of various scales. We've discussed our concern for the climate of Chicago lowering the availability of these green spaces, but the notion that these spaces provide a sense of community independent of social contact at the green space is a positive. Living in the suburbs of Chicago for the majority of my life has given me a different perspective on green space when comparing my life in the city. Accessibility to green space is much greater in the suburbs. I often find it challenging to find available park space in the city. With the health benefits of green space this study shows, it's important that the city continues to protect our existing parks while making an effort to create new green spaces as the city develops.
Ross Barney Architects future Chicago River development
Chicago roof deck garden space
Comments