The post discusses the relationship between health and place as well as key areas of urban design that can influence health. It is highlighted within the blog poor living conditions and lack of adequate green space contribute to poor health.
The stress theory model as developed by Kagan and Levi, suggests a deeper relationship between the physical environment and human well-being. It illustrates how the physical environment forms the foundations of modern society promoting health and/or disease (Dilani, 2009).
It has been shown in various pieces of research that physical activity has declined over the past few decades (Koohsari et al, 2015). Some researchers go on to suggest that this is due to a place being designed around the car, and a lack of adequate active transport routes. Providing walkable neighbourhoods, with good access to amenities and recreational spaces are suggested to encourage people to use active transport methods as opposed to the car. Boarnet suggests urban designs that facilitate physical activity will provide the most substantial health benefits (Boarnet et al, 2001).
Dilani highlights the important relationship between a person’s well-being and the characteristics of the surrounding environment (Dilani, 2009). Additionally, Dilani suggests that psychosocially supportive design can help facilitate high-quality environments alongside engaging a person on a social and mental level (Dilani, 2009). The main aim of the approach is to stimulate the mental state and promote positive psychological emotions such as pleasure or creativity (Dilani, 2009).
As you have indicated in your post it is essential as urban designers that we consider the quality of housing, green infrastructure and consider the potential and importance of city agriculture. In addition to these elements, Jackson suggests that landscapes supporting environmental functions should be considered alongside access to natural light, and open green space (Jackson, 2003). Studies suggest natural environments and their impact on senses positively influence well-being as well as being aesthetically pleasing (Dilani, 2009). Sensory gardens are often used in care homes to stimulate customers and encourage physical activity. Such elements should be incorporated in a variety of spatial scales and settings.
There is significant research to link urban design as a key tool in influencing human health and wellbeing (Jackson, 2003). Health in physical environments has been quite topical in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting why we should design environments with a greater emphasis on wellbeing. Though these are things we consider in the field of urban design, various other disciplines can offer further expertise into how we can achieve the best conditions for humans. Dilani highlights the importance of different professions to come together in order to create physical environments to meet fundamental human needs (Dilani, 2009). By working with other professions, we can provide more holistic interventions, encouraging physical activity and promoting good mental health (Boarnet et al, 2001).
References
1. Koohsari et al (2015) Health & Place. Public open space, physical activity, urban design and public health: Concepts, methods and research agenda.Volume 33. pp 75-82.
2. Dilani, A. (2009) Psychosocially Supportive Design: A Salutogenic Approach to the Design of the Physical Environment. 1st International Conference on Sustainable Healthy Buildings. Korea.
3. Jackson, L. (2003) The relationship of urban design to human health and condition. Landscape and Urban Planning. Volume 64. Issue 4. pp 191-200.
4. Boarnet, M. et al (2001) Walking, Urban Design, and Health Toward a Cost-Benefit Analysis Framework. Volume 27. Issue 3. pp 341-358.
The post discusses the relationship between health and place as well as key areas of urban design that can influence health. It is highlighted within the blog poor living conditions and lack of adequate green space contribute to poor health.
The stress theory model as developed by Kagan and Levi, suggests a deeper relationship between the physical environment and human well-being. It illustrates how the physical environment forms the foundations of modern society promoting health and/or disease (Dilani, 2009).
It has been shown in various pieces of research that physical activity has declined over the past few decades (Koohsari et al, 2015). Some researchers go on to suggest that this is due to a place being designed around the car, and a lack of adequate active transport routes. Providing walkable neighbourhoods, with good access to amenities and recreational spaces are suggested to encourage people to use active transport methods as opposed to the car. Boarnet suggests urban designs that facilitate physical activity will provide the most substantial health benefits (Boarnet et al, 2001).
Dilani highlights the important relationship between a person’s well-being and the characteristics of the surrounding environment (Dilani, 2009). Additionally, Dilani suggests that psychosocially supportive design can help facilitate high-quality environments alongside engaging a person on a social and mental level (Dilani, 2009). The main aim of the approach is to stimulate the mental state and promote positive psychological emotions such as pleasure or creativity (Dilani, 2009).
As you have indicated in your post it is essential as urban designers that we consider the quality of housing, green infrastructure and consider the potential and importance of city agriculture. In addition to these elements, Jackson suggests that landscapes supporting environmental functions should be considered alongside access to natural light, and open green space (Jackson, 2003). Studies suggest natural environments and their impact on senses positively influence well-being as well as being aesthetically pleasing (Dilani, 2009). Sensory gardens are often used in care homes to stimulate customers and encourage physical activity. Such elements should be incorporated in a variety of spatial scales and settings.
There is significant research to link urban design as a key tool in influencing human health and wellbeing (Jackson, 2003). Health in physical environments has been quite topical in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting why we should design environments with a greater emphasis on wellbeing. Though these are things we consider in the field of urban design, various other disciplines can offer further expertise into how we can achieve the best conditions for humans. Dilani highlights the importance of different professions to come together in order to create physical environments to meet fundamental human needs (Dilani, 2009). By working with other professions, we can provide more holistic interventions, encouraging physical activity and promoting good mental health (Boarnet et al, 2001).
References
1. Koohsari et al (2015) Health & Place. Public open space, physical activity, urban design and public health: Concepts, methods and research agenda.Volume 33. pp 75-82.
2. Dilani, A. (2009) Psychosocially Supportive Design: A Salutogenic Approach to the Design of the Physical Environment. 1st International Conference on Sustainable Healthy Buildings. Korea.
3. Jackson, L. (2003) The relationship of urban design to human health and condition. Landscape and Urban Planning. Volume 64. Issue 4. pp 191-200.
4. Boarnet, M. et al (2001) Walking, Urban Design, and Health Toward a Cost-Benefit Analysis Framework. Volume 27. Issue 3. pp 341-358.
Your writing on salutogenic environments is very interesting! As a sidenote, I appreciate how you include both physical and mental health and wellbeing, in your definition of health, as I find mental health and wellbeing are sometimes overlooked.
Taking time outdoors, as you mention, can relieve anxiety, and offer valuable space for exercising and leisure. People depended heavily on parks and gardens during the pandemic, when most indoor amenities were shut or unsafe to access. It’s no wonder, thus, that the popularity of green spaces has increased dramatically all through COVID-19, as nature’s effects on our health are vital for our survival and our adaptation to the lockdowns’ measures.
However, it is important to consider that people’s access to green spaces is not equal everywhere. This issue, I believe, has been particularly well highlighted by the pandemic as people in the UK residing in impoverished areas have had less access to public green spaces than those living in wealthier areas (Fitzgibbons, 2020). Although there is a need for more green infrastructure in poorer neighbourhoods, there is also a need for these to be of higher quality. On top of affecting children, low-quality green spaces affect older and disabled people, women, ethical minorities… Here are just a couple of statistics highlighted by Sultan (2021), consultant in Public Health at Birmingham City Council, that show the extent of this inequal access to green spaces in the UK: “29% of people living with a long-illness or disability had not visited a natural space in [April 2021]”; “40% of people from ethnic minority backgrounds live in the most green-space deprived areas.” Quality of spaces is important as it not only aids biodiversity conservation, but it also allows for places to become safer and more accessible. Generally, to allow for these types of spaces, green spaces need to include “lighting, adequate seating, signs, indications of management such as cut grass, and lack of graffiti and litter” (Wood, et al., 2018). As a result, it seems that urban planners and designers need to remember that, while increasing the square metres of green spaces in poorer communities may help, the quality of these need to remain high.
– Fitzgibbons, J. (2020) Not All Green Space is Created Equal – or Equally Accessible to All. Available at: https://thecityfix.com/blog/not-all-green-space-is-created-equal-or-equally-accessible-to-all/ (accessed 09 January 2022).
– Wood, et al. (2018) Not All Green Space Is Created Equal: Biodiversity Predicts Psychological Restorative Benefits From Urban Green Space. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02320/full (accessed 09 January 2022)
– Sultan, H. (2021) NEWS: Report finds severe inequalities in access to parks and greenspaces in communities across the UK. Available at: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/news-report-finds-severe-inequalities-in-access-to-parks-and-greenspaces-in-communities-across-the-uk/ (accessed 09 January 2022).
It’s a very interesting blog post, and the topics we’ve been talking about this semester are all connected.
These themes are also consistent with our design mission. Measures such as creating walkable (bicycle able) communities, connectivity (smaller cul-de-sacs and wider roads), the impact of residential density (need for consistency), well-designed walkable areas (high-quality public areas supporting higher levels of walking and physical activity) are exactly what we need to consider now.
The urban environment and modes of transport are increasingly being linked to physical activity participation and population health outcomes. Much of the research has been based on either health or urban design paradigms, rather than on collaborative approaches. Previous health reviews in the urban design area have been constrained to perceptions of the neighborhood or walking behaviors, consequently limiting the understanding of built environment influences on physical activity modalities.
The link between green space and health and well-being has greater health outcomes. It improves mental health, increases physical activity, enhances social cohesion, and improves air quality. Green Spaces associated with stress reduction and recovery; Green Movement; Strengthen social exchanges and reduce crime; Reduced pollution, improved immune system, noise buffering, and vitamin D exposure. I have read a report about forest tree therapy. It is the same as adding trees and breathing space in cities. The human body can slowly self-regulate in a relatively natural environment.
References:
Badland, H. and Schofield, G., 2005. Transport, urban design, and physical activity: an evidence-based update. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 10(3), pp.177-196.