The intuitive understanding that green spaces must be good for people is supported by a growing body of research. Scientists from a wide range of countries across the globe, such as Dr. Richard Mitchell from the United Kingdom (pictured), have increasingly been exploring the connections between green spaces and health. Dr. Mitchell is widely known for his work on the way socio-economic and physical environments create, maintain or reduce health inequalities, and his findings add to an increasing body of knowledge on this matter.

Several recent international studies, including the work of Dr. Mitchell, show that

• Access to quality green spaces is strongly associated with neighbourhood satisfaction and/or physical activity (Australia, Sweden)
• There is a significant relationship between perceived greenness and mental health (Australia)
• The quality of green space, not just the quantity, is likely to be important for health benefits (England)
• Regardless of residential density, the greener the neighbourhood, the lower the risk of childhood obesity. Again the quality of greenness was considered (United States)

Since green spaces with high recreational value are not distributed equitably, research which highlights the links between healthy neighbourhoods and "green landscaping" is extremely important. Such evidence can contribute to a greater awareness by policy makers, city planners and politicians of the importance of quality green spaces for communities which suffer other deprivations. As Dr. Mitchell in the UK has said:

"We would encourage the Government to consider carefully what their policy on green spaces is and to bear this research in mind when planning urban areas for the future."

For more detail on these connections between green spaces and neighbourhood wellbeing, please refer to:

1. Bell, J., Wilson, J., and G. Liu. 2008. Neighbourhood greenness and 2-year changes in Body Mass Index of children and youth. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 35 (6): 547-553.
2. Blackman, T. 2006. Placing health: Neighbourhood renewal, health improvement and complexity. Bristol: The Policy Press.
3. Björk, J., Albin, M., Grahn, P. et al. 2008. Recreational values of the natural environment in relation to neighbourhood satisfaction, physical activity, obesity and wellbeing. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 62: e2.
4. Mitchell, R. and F. Popham. 2007. Greenspace, urbanity and health: Relationships in England. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 61: 681-683.
5. Sugiyama, T., Leslie, E., Giles-Corti, B. and N. Owen. 2008. Associations of neighbourhood greenness with physical and mental health: Do walking, social coherence and local social interaction explain the relationships? Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 62 (5): e9.