This article clearly and comprehensively discusses the relationship between public space and social well-being. As stated in the article public spaces have a great impact on social wellbeing and people’s happiness in terms of social connections, physical health, mental health, social inclusion and cultural creativity. They provide opportunities for social contact, cultural practices and physical activity, contributing to the prosperity of individuals and society.
But in relation to the impact of public space on wellbeing, green space also a vital role in it. There is articles that have shown through objective measurements, questionnaires, observational studies and health assessments that green spaces can enhance people’s well-being and mental health (Reyes-Riveros, Altamirano, Barrera, 2021). Green space characteristics are categorized as structure, biodiversity, and naturalness, while dimensions of well-being are categorized as health, safety, good social relations, and freedom of choice and action. The amount, vegetation cover and area of green spaces positively affect human well-being, especially in terms of health. And the biodiversity and naturalness of green spaces also promotes better mental health and social relations.
So how green space affects well-being specifically? Firstly, green public space contributes to people’s physical and mental health. It provides a natural and tranquil environment that promotes relaxation and reduces stress, and the presence of trees, plants and open spaces in public spaces can create a sense of tranquility and allow people to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. For example, Central Park, located in the center of New York City, provides a good place for city dwellers to relax and get close to nature.; secondly, green spaces provide venues for a variety of outdoor activities, promoting physical activity and encouraging healthy lifestyles, thus improving physical health. For example, the Luxembourg Gardens, the one of the most successful parks in existence, it contains many walking paths filled with hundreds of user-friendly moveable chairs. It is easily accessible and has a wide range of activities: people come to walk, play chess, sit and read a book, sit in the café, or take their children or grandchildren to one of the many children’s attractions. Activities organized by the park include tennis, outdoor concerts, pony rides, puppet theatre and toy sailboat rentals, making this a public place full of endless activities; then there is the impact on social cohesion and community participation, with green spaces providing a healthy place for people to communicate and interact.; and lastly, green spaces also play a role in improving the environment. Green public spaces contribute to environmental sustainability by improving air quality, reducing the heat island effect and supporting biodiversity. In summary green public spaces provide a range of benefits including improved physical and mental health, connection to nature, social interaction and environmental sustainability. These spaces play a vital role in improving the quality of life and wellbeing in cities.
Public spaces, especially green spaces, play a vital role in promoting wellbeing by providing opportunities for socializing, physical activity and connecting with nature, and the design and accessibility of public spaces should be prioritized in urban planning and decision-making.
References
1. Stephanie, Y., S., Cheung., Danyang, Lei., Faye, Y., F., Chan., Hendrik, Tieben. (2022). Public Space Usage and Well-Being: Participatory Action Research With Vulnerable Groups in Hyper-Dense Environments. Urban planning, 7(4) Available from: 10.17645/up.v7i4.5764
2. James, Law. (2022). Why Public Space Matters. Available from: 10.1093/oso/9780197543733.001.0001
3. Rosa, Reyes-Riveros., Adison, Altamirano., Francisco, de, la, Barrera., Daniel, Rozas-Vásquez., Lorena, Vieli., Lorena, Vieli., Paula, Meli. (2021). Linking public urban green spaces and human well-being: A systematic review. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 61, 127105-. Available from: 10.1016/J.UFUG.2021.127105
4. Helen, Lawton, Smith. (2023). Public Spaces, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Connecting Disabled Entrepreneurs to Urban Spaces. Land, 12(4), 873-873. Available from: 10.3390/land12040873
5. Antonietta, Di, Giulio., Marlyne, Sahakian., Manisha, Anantharaman., Czarina, Saloma., Rupali, A., Khanna., Srikanth, Narasimalu., Dunfu, Zhang. (2022). How the consumption of green public spaces contributes to quality of life: evidence from four Asian cities. Consumption and Society, 1(2), 375-397. Available from: 10.1332/smtk9540
6. Family Fun Vancouver (2021) New Playground Alert: Creekside Park Playground, Family Fun Vancouver. Available at: https://www.familyfuncanada.com/vancouver/creekside-park-playground/ (Accessed: 15 October 2023).
7. What would the ultimate child-friendly city look like? (2018) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/28/child-friendly-city-indoors-playing-healthy-sociable-outdoors (Accessed: 15 October 2023).
This article clearly and comprehensively discusses the relationship between public space and social well-being. As stated in the article public spaces have a great impact on social wellbeing and people’s happiness in terms of social connections, physical health, mental health, social inclusion and cultural creativity. They provide opportunities for social contact, cultural practices and physical activity, contributing to the prosperity of individuals and society.
But in relation to the impact of public space on wellbeing, green space also a vital role in it. There is articles that have shown through objective measurements, questionnaires, observational studies and health assessments that green spaces can enhance people’s well-being and mental health (Reyes-Riveros, Altamirano, Barrera, 2021). Green space characteristics are categorized as structure, biodiversity, and naturalness, while dimensions of well-being are categorized as health, safety, good social relations, and freedom of choice and action. The amount, vegetation cover and area of green spaces positively affect human well-being, especially in terms of health. And the biodiversity and naturalness of green spaces also promotes better mental health and social relations.
So how green space affects well-being specifically? Firstly, green public space contributes to people’s physical and mental health. It provides a natural and tranquil environment that promotes relaxation and reduces stress, and the presence of trees, plants and open spaces in public spaces can create a sense of tranquility and allow people to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. For example, Central Park, located in the center of New York City, provides a good place for city dwellers to relax and get close to nature.; secondly, green spaces provide venues for a variety of outdoor activities, promoting physical activity and encouraging healthy lifestyles, thus improving physical health. For example, the Luxembourg Gardens, the one of the most successful parks in existence, it contains many walking paths filled with hundreds of user-friendly moveable chairs. It is easily accessible and has a wide range of activities: people come to walk, play chess, sit and read a book, sit in the café, or take their children or grandchildren to one of the many children’s attractions. Activities organized by the park include tennis, outdoor concerts, pony rides, puppet theatre and toy sailboat rentals, making this a public place full of endless activities; then there is the impact on social cohesion and community participation, with green spaces providing a healthy place for people to communicate and interact.; and lastly, green spaces also play a role in improving the environment. Green public spaces contribute to environmental sustainability by improving air quality, reducing the heat island effect and supporting biodiversity. In summary green public spaces provide a range of benefits including improved physical and mental health, connection to nature, social interaction and environmental sustainability. These spaces play a vital role in improving the quality of life and wellbeing in cities.
Public spaces, especially green spaces, play a vital role in promoting wellbeing by providing opportunities for socializing, physical activity and connecting with nature, and the design and accessibility of public spaces should be prioritized in urban planning and decision-making.
References
1. Stephanie, Y., S., Cheung., Danyang, Lei., Faye, Y., F., Chan., Hendrik, Tieben. (2022). Public Space Usage and Well-Being: Participatory Action Research With Vulnerable Groups in Hyper-Dense Environments. Urban planning, 7(4) Available from: 10.17645/up.v7i4.5764
2. James, Law. (2022). Why Public Space Matters. Available from: 10.1093/oso/9780197543733.001.0001
3. Rosa, Reyes-Riveros., Adison, Altamirano., Francisco, de, la, Barrera., Daniel, Rozas-Vásquez., Lorena, Vieli., Lorena, Vieli., Paula, Meli. (2021). Linking public urban green spaces and human well-being: A systematic review. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 61, 127105-. Available from: 10.1016/J.UFUG.2021.127105
4. Helen, Lawton, Smith. (2023). Public Spaces, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Connecting Disabled Entrepreneurs to Urban Spaces. Land, 12(4), 873-873. Available from: 10.3390/land12040873
5. Antonietta, Di, Giulio., Marlyne, Sahakian., Manisha, Anantharaman., Czarina, Saloma., Rupali, A., Khanna., Srikanth, Narasimalu., Dunfu, Zhang. (2022). How the consumption of green public spaces contributes to quality of life: evidence from four Asian cities. Consumption and Society, 1(2), 375-397. Available from: 10.1332/smtk9540
6. Family Fun Vancouver (2021) New Playground Alert: Creekside Park Playground, Family Fun Vancouver. Available at: https://www.familyfuncanada.com/vancouver/creekside-park-playground/ (Accessed: 15 October 2023).
7. What would the ultimate child-friendly city look like? (2018) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/28/child-friendly-city-indoors-playing-healthy-sociable-outdoors (Accessed: 15 October 2023).