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Gripko M, Joseph A. The Role of the Built Environment in Supporting Older Adults' Engagement: A Narrative Literature Review. HERD-HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH & DESIGN JOURNAL 2024:19375867241250320. [PMID: 38738947 DOI: 10.1177/19375867241250320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This literature review aimed to summarize the existing knowledge surrounding the role of the built environment in supporting older adults' physical and social engagement and identify opportunities for future research and design that facilitates older adults' engagement at multiple environmental scales: from interior spaces to neighborhoods. BACKGROUND Physical environments can support or impede older adults' physical and social engagement: willful, motivated involvement in meaningful activity or occupation. Research shows that engagement is a core component of health and well-being and relates to positive health outcomes, including reduced disease risk, better mental health, and improved physical and cognitive function. Thus, designing supportive built environments for engagement can yield significant, positive health and well-being impacts. METHODS A systematized search of five databases, a hand search, and an iterative screening process identified 55 studies for inclusion in this review. Through inductive thematic analysis, this review summarizes findings regarding the built environment's role in physical and social engagement in older age and design strategies to facilitate engagement and support health and well-being. RESULTS Evidence indicates that built environment characteristics can influence older people's physical and social engagement in homes, neighborhoods, and care settings. The thematic analysis of the included studies identified three key themes concerning the relationships of built environment characteristics to older adults' engagement across multiple environmental scales: connection, access, and security. CONCLUSIONS Built environments influence older people's physical and social engagement, significantly affecting their health, well-being, abilities, and longevity. Numerous design strategies can support older adults' engagement, but more research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gripko
- Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Anjali Joseph
- Center for Health Facilities Design and Testing, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
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Lo GH, Patarini JC, Richard MJ, McAlindon TE, Kriska AM, Rockette-Wagner B, Eaton CB, Hochberg MC, Kwoh CK, Nevitt MC, Driban JB. Gardening/yardwork in people with knee osteoarthritis is not associated with symptom or structural progression over 48 months: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Clin Rheumatol 2024; 43:1755-1762. [PMID: 38561590 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-024-06912-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship of gardening/yardwork with symptomatic and structural progression in those with pre-existing radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), an observational study designed to evaluate potential and known biomarkers and risk factors of knee OA. METHODS We conducted a cohort study nested within the OAI, including participants ≥ 50 years old with radiographic OA in at least one knee at the time of OAI enrollment. A participant reported the level of gardening/yardwork activity in a self-administered survey. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association of gardening/yardwork on new frequent knee pain, Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) worsening, medial joint space narrowing (JSN) worsening, and improved frequent knee pain. RESULTS Of 1808 knees (1203 participants), over 60% of knees had KL grade = 2, 65% had medial JSN, and slightly more than a third had frequent knee symptoms. Gardeners/yardworkers and non-gardners/yardworkers had similar "worsening" outcomes for new knee pain (29% vs. 29%), KL worsening (19% vs. 18%), and medial JSN (23% vs. 24%). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the "worsening" outcomes of new knee pain, KL worsening, and medial JSN worsening were 1.0 (0.7-1.3), 1.0 (0.8-1.3), and 1.1 (0.9-1.4), respectively. The gardeners/yardworkers had an adjusted OR of 1.2 (0.9-1.7) for improved knee pain compared with non-gardners/yardworkers. CONCLUSION Gardening/yardwork is not associated with knee OA progression and should not be discouraged in those with knee OA. Key Points • Gardening/yardwork is not associated with knee OA symptomatic or structural progression. • Gardening/yardwork should not be discouraged in people with knee OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace H Lo
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, BCM-285, Houston, TX, USA.
- Medical Care Line and Research Care Line, Michael E. DeBakey Medical Center, Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Julieann C Patarini
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, & Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Richard
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, & Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy E McAlindon
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, & Immunology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea M Kriska
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Charles B Eaton
- Department of Family Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Marc C Hochberg
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - C Kent Kwoh
- University of Arizona Arthritis Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Michael C Nevitt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey B Driban
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Kim J, de Leeuw E, Harris-Roxas B, Sainsbury P. Five urban health research traditions: A meta-narrative review. Soc Sci Med 2023; 336:116265. [PMID: 37820495 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Urban health scholars explore the connection between the urban space and health through ontological perspectives that are shaped by their disciplinary traditions. Without explicit recognition of the different approaches, there are barriers to collaboration. This paper maps the terrain of the urban health scholarship to identify key urban health research traditions; and to articulate the main features distinguishing these different traditions. We apply a meta-narrative review guided by a bibliometric co-citation network analysis to the body of research on urban health retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Five urban health research traditions were identified: (1) sustainable urban development, (2) urban ecosystem services, (3) urban resilience, (4) healthy urban planning, and (5) urban green spaces. Each research tradition has a different conceptual and thematic perspective to addressing urban health. These include perspectives on the scale of the urban health issue of interest, and on the conceptualisation of the urban context and health. Additionally, we developed a framework to allow for better differentiation between the differing research traditions based on (1) perspectives of the urban system as complicated or complex, (2) the preferred locus of change as a function of structure and agency and (3) the geographic scale of the urban health issue that is addressed. These dimensions have even deeper implications for transdisciplinary collaboration as they are underpinned by paradigmatic differences, rather than disciplinary differences. We conclude that it is essential for urban health researchers to reflect on the different urban health approaches and seek coherence by understanding their similarities and differences. Such endeavours are required to produce and interpret transdisciplinary knowledge for the goal of improving health by transforming urban systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhee Kim
- Centre for Primary Health Care & Equity, University of New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Evelyne de Leeuw
- Centre for Primary Health Care & Equity, University of New South Wales, Australia; Chaire d'Excellence en Recherche Canada 'Une Seule Santé Urbaine', École de Santé Publique Université de Montréal ESPUM, Québec, Canada; Healthy Urban Environments (HUE) Collaboratory, Maridulu Budyari Gumal Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise SPHERE, Australia.
| | - Ben Harris-Roxas
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Peter Sainsbury
- School of Medicine Sydney, University of Notre Dame, Australia.
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Wang X, Li G, Pan J, Shen J, Han C. The difference in the elderly's visual impact assessment of pocket park landscape. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16895. [PMID: 37803038 PMCID: PMC10558517 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43522-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
As an important part of urban public open space, pocket parks have become an important activity place for the elderly in the context of the aging society in China. With the pocket parks in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China as research object, this paper set six landscape features to be studied, namely, Height of trees, Green color richness, Stratification of green landscapes, Green space ratio, Leisure facilities, and Water landscape. The elderly respondents with different demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, education level and residential type, were subjected to the picture stimulation experiment whose results were then statistically analyzed. The results indicate that gender and residential type exert certain influence on the elderly's visual impact assessment of pocket park landscape. To be specific, the male elderly prefer the pocket park landscape with 3-6 m high trees, medium green space ratio, and more leisure facilities; the female elderly are in greater favor of pocket park landscapes with 0-3 m high trees, five or more colors, three or more layers; the elderly who live with their families prefer pocket park landscapes with medium green space ratio and more leisure facilities; to the elderly who live alone, pocket park landscapes with trees which are 0-3 m high, five or more colors, and medium leisure facilities are more attractive. This study can provide valuable reference for pocket park design in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- China University of Mining and Technology, No. 1, Daxue Road, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Guanjun Li
- China University of Mining and Technology, No. 1, Daxue Road, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jingyin Pan
- China University of Mining and Technology, No. 1, Daxue Road, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiamin Shen
- China University of Mining and Technology, No. 1, Daxue Road, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chenping Han
- China University of Mining and Technology, No. 1, Daxue Road, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Oyeyemi AL, Kolo SM, Oyeyemi AY, Omotara BA, Yahaya SJ, Sallis JF. Neighborhood environment and quality of life among community-living older adults in Nigeria: The moderating effect of physical activity. Prev Med Rep 2023; 35:102330. [PMID: 37554352 PMCID: PMC10404534 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how neighborhood environments are related to older adults' quality of life (QoL) and physical activity (PA) is important for public health actions on healthy ageing in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined associations of perceived neighborhood environment attributes with QoL among older adults in Nigeria and investigated the moderating effects of PA on these associations. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 353 older adults (mean age = 68.9 ± 9.1 years) selected from 5 high- and low-income communities in Maiduguri, Nigeria. QoL, attributes of the neighborhood environments and PA were self-reported using validated questionnaires. Multi-level models were used to examine the direct associations between neighborhood environment attributes and each of the four domains of QoL (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health), as well as the moderating effects of leisure-time and total PA. Seven of nine neighborhood environment features were positively associated with multiple domains of QoL. Residential density, land-use diversity, land-use mix-access, walking infrastructure, traffic safety and 'overall walkability' were positively related to both or either physical health and environmental health QoL among those who are physically active. In contrast, walking infrastructure, traffic safety, and 'overall walkability' were negatively related to psychological health QoL among those not physically active. Our findings suggest being physically active moderates the association of neighborhood environments with QoL among Nigerian older adults. We suggest that designing age-friendly communities and simultaneously promoting PA may be needed to improve QoL and help prepare the Nigerian society for the predicted increase in the older adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adewale L. Oyeyemi
- Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Sanda M. Kolo
- Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Adetoyeje Y. Oyeyemi
- Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Babatunji A. Omotara
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Shuaibu J. Yahaya
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - James F. Sallis
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
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Marcos-Pardo PJ, Espeso-García A, Abelleira-Lamela T, Machado DRL. Optimizing outdoor fitness equipment training for older adults: Benefits and future directions for healthy aging. Exp Gerontol 2023; 181:112279. [PMID: 37611645 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Regular physical activity is vital for the health and disease prevention of older adults. Outdoor fitness equipment has gained popularity for natural exercise spaces among middle-aged and older individuals. This narrative review demonstrates that these programs have the potential to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and reduce falls, while also enhancing quality of life, alleviating depression and anxiety, and boosting self-esteem. However, our understanding is hindered by limited rigorous experimental studies. Future directions include implementing standardized measurements, conducting long-term studies, and addressing equipment limitations to enable better adjustment of training intensity and promote correct postures on machines. New, more rigorous research is needed to comprehensively understand the psychophysiological and social effects on health. Additionally, suggested modifications could render the machines more effective and safer. The primary objective is to enhance this type of machinery to encourage its use in outdoor spaces, thus aiding adults and older individuals in achieving overall health and enjoying a healthy aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Jorge Marcos-Pardo
- Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; CERNEP Research Center, SPORT Research Group (CTS-1024), University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Active Aging, Exercise and Health/HEALTHY-AGE Network, Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), Ministry of Culture and Sport of Spain, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alejandro Espeso-García
- Injury Prevention in Sport Research Group, Facultad de Deporte, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Tomás Abelleira-Lamela
- Injury Prevention in Sport Research Group, Facultad de Deporte, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado
- Active Aging, Exercise and Health/HEALTHY-AGE Network, Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), Ministry of Culture and Sport of Spain, 28040 Madrid, Spain; School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP/USP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Study and Research Group in Anthropometry, Training, and Sport (GEPEATE), University of Sao Paulo, School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; School of Education and Communication, Algarve University, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Jones CA, Jhangri GS, Yamamoto SS, Hogan DB, Hanson H, Levasseur M, Morales E, Légaré F. Social participation of older people in urban and rural areas: Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:439. [PMID: 37464306 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04127-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although the positive influence of social activity on health is now well-established, a complex relationship exists among social participation, personal, social and the environment. Social participation of older adults was examined in rural and urban settings to identify features of the built-environment and perception of neighborhood specific to the locale. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using cross-sectional data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), we examined social participation and health of older people (65 + yrs) in relation to the built environment and sociocultural contexts for urban and rural areas. A social participation index was derived from responses on the frequency of participating in 8 social activities over the past 12 months. Personal, household and neighborhood indicators were examined to develop multivariable regression models for social participation in urban and rural cohorts. RESULTS No meaningful differences were seen with the frequency of social participation between rural and urban settings; however, the type of community-related activities differed in that a greater proportion of urban participants reported sports and educational/cultural events than rural participants. Service club activities were greater for rural than urban participants. Different neighborhood features were statistically significant factors in explaining social participation in rural than in urban locales, although transportation was a significant factor regardless of locale. Trustworthiness, belonging and safety were perceived factors of the neighborhood associated with higher social participation for rural participants. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS The relationship between home and health becomes stronger as one ages. Social and physical features of built environment specific to urban and rural settings need to be considered when implementing appropriate social activities for older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Allyson Jones
- Dept of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-50 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada.
| | - Gian S Jhangri
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Shelby S Yamamoto
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - David B Hogan
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Heather Hanson
- Alberta Health Services Provincial Seniors Health and Continuing Care, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mélanie Levasseur
- School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Research Centre on Aging, Estrie Integrated University Health and Social Services, Centre-Sherbrooke Hospital University Centre, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Ernesto Morales
- Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - France Légaré
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Centre De Recherche Sur Les soins et Les Services de Première Ligne de S'Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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Adamu Z, Hardy O, Natapov A. The Impact of Greenspace, Walking, and Cycling on the Health of Urban Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of London. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6360. [PMID: 37510592 PMCID: PMC10379965 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Vulnerability to COVID-19 has been linked to public health issues like obesity and physical fitness, which consecutively can be linked to access to urban greenspace. However, the value of greenspaces remains contentious in the literature and unclear in practice. In view of very high COVID-19 mortality rates, we use data from London boroughs to explore the impact of green infrastructure in terms of the size, accessibility, and support of physical activity and healthy lifestyles (e.g., walking and cycling). Results show no significant relationship between the availability of greenspace and the probability of being obese or dying from COVID-19. Cycling once, thrice, or five times weekly was found to improve healthy weight, as does cycling once a month. However, the probability of dying from COVID-19 during lockdowns is correlated to the frequency of walking or cycling as a result of decreased social distancing, while the frequency of walking and cycling is determined by availability and access to greenspace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zulfikar Adamu
- School of The Built Environment and Architecture, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK
| | - Oliver Hardy
- School of The Built Environment and Architecture, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK
| | - Asya Natapov
- School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, Sir Frank Gibb Building, RT 1.02, West Park, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK
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Mierzejewska L, Sikorska-Podyma K, Szejnfeld M, Wdowicka M, Modrzewski B, Lechowska E. The Role of Greenery in Stress Reduction among City Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20105832. [PMID: 37239559 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20105832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cities, as places of social interactions and human relationships, face new challenges, problems, and threats, which are sources of stress for residents. An additional cause of stress in recent years has been the COVID-19 pandemic; it was urban dwellers who were most exposed to the virus and most affected by it. Chronic stress has led to the serious erosion of physical health and psychophysical well-being among urban dwellers, and so there is a need to seek new solutions in terms of building the resilience of cities and their residents to stress. This study aims to verify the hypothesis that greenery reduced the level of stress among urban dwellers during the pandemic. The verification of this hypothesis was achieved based on a literature analysis and the results of geo-questionnaire studies conducted involving 651 residents of Poznan-among the largest of Polish cities, where the share of green areas in the spatial structure is more than 30%. According to the analysis, the interviewees experienced above-average stress levels that went up during the pandemic, and the source was not so much the virus but the restrictions imposed. Green areas and outdoor activities helped in reducing this stress (being surrounded by and looking at greenery, garden work, or plant cultivation). Residents perceive a post-pandemic city as one that is more green, in which priority is given to unmanaged green areas. It has also been pointed out that a response to the reported need for urban re-construction towards stress resilience may be a biophilic city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Mierzejewska
- Department of Spatial Planning and Urban Design, Faculty of Human Geography and Planning, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
| | - Kamila Sikorska-Podyma
- Department of Spatial Planning and Urban Design, Faculty of Human Geography and Planning, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marta Szejnfeld
- Department of Spatial Planning and Urban Design, Faculty of Human Geography and Planning, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Wdowicka
- Department of Spatial Planning and Urban Design, Faculty of Human Geography and Planning, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
| | - Bogusz Modrzewski
- Department of Spatial Planning and Urban Design, Faculty of Human Geography and Planning, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
| | - Ewa Lechowska
- Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, 90-136 Łódź, Poland
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Bolouki A. Neurobiological effects of urban built and natural environment on mental health: systematic review. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 38:169-179. [PMID: 35112526 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although rapid global urbanization improves people in many ways, it also increases the prevalence of major mental disorders in urban communities. Exposure to natural surroundings, whether real or virtual, on the other hand, has been found to reduce arousal and stress. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the existing literature on how brain function changes when exposed to natural and urban settings. As a highly effective technique for determining human brain activity, this review considers literature using neuroimaging techniques, i.e., electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). SCOPUS and PubMed were searched for peer-reviewed literature published prior to September 2021. Twenty-six sources were included, returning 263 papers; 18 empirical articles published from 1991 to 2021 were included in the final synthesis. EEG findings were generally consistent with those obtained from fMRI/NIRS data. Natural settings were linked to greater alpha EEG values and fewer demands on information processing and stronger functional connectivity in fMRI/NIRS studies, which indicate feelings of relaxation and restoration. These findings offer a better understanding of the functional activities during environmental exposures and also imply that nature exposure improves cognitive functions and mental health.
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Yan L, Chen Y, Zheng L, Zhang Y, Liang X, Zhu C. Intelligent Generation Method and Sustainable Application of Road Systems in Urban Green Spaces: Taking Jiangnan Gardens as an Example. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3158. [PMID: 36833855 PMCID: PMC9965984 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This paper takes the garden road system as the research object and proposes a method of generating paths for classical gardens based on parametric design. Firstly, by studying the distribution characteristics of roads, the data on the curvature, angle, and view area of roads were collected. Secondly, the obtained data were transferred to the parameterized platform, and a method of intelligent generation was used for calculation. Finally, the road system was optimized by the genetic algorithm for better application in modern landscape design. According to the current situation, the road system plan generated by the algorithm inherits the characteristics of classical garden roads. This method can be applied to the courtyard, the community park, the urban park, and other objects. This research not only identifies the characteristics of landscape cultural heritage, but also produces an innovative, intelligent design tool. It provides new methods for the parameterized inheritance and application of traditional landscape heritage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Yan
- Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
- Shanghai Total Architectural Design & Urban Planning Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yile Chen
- Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Liang Zheng
- Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Shanghai GOODLINKS International Design Group, Shanghai 200051, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- Shanghai Pudong Architectural Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Chun Zhu
- Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
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Vooren NJEV, Janssen LMS, Drewes HW, Baan CA, Bongers IMB. How to collaborate for health throughout the project timeline - a longitudinal study reflecting on implemented strategies in three projects for a healthy living environment. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:67. [PMID: 36627586 PMCID: PMC9831012 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When improving the health of local and regional populations, cross-sector collaboration between different policy domains, non-governmental organisations and citizens themselves is needed. Previously, enabling factors and strategies have been identified to improve cross-sector collaboration for health. However, few longitudinal studies have been conducted to understand how the implementation of strategies for cross-sector collaboration changes throughout the collaboration process. The aim of this study is therefore to learn more about the different strategies that were implemented throughout three cross-sector collaboration projects for a healthy living environment. METHODS The realist evaluation approach was used to understand how the implemented strategies worked, in which context, why and with what outcomes. Project partners were asked to reflect on their implemented strategies at two different moments in the project timelines, and quarterly updates with project leaders were held. In addition two reference panels were organised for data triangulation. RESULTS Three key insights for successful cross-sector collaboration throughout projects for a healthy living environment were identified, namely 1. Investing in trust among the partners and faith in the project has a positive influence on continuing the collaboration throughout the project; 2. Making stakeholders actively participate throughout the project requires additional strategies after the onset of the project, and 3. Defining roles, tasks, and other prerequisites at the start of the project helps in pursuing the project over time, but needs re-examination throughout the project. These key insights were based on multiple examples of implemented strategies, linked to context, mechanisms and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the different strategies that can be employed as the collaboration in projects for a healthy living environment progresses. We found that 'trust' does not merely include the relationships built between the partners, but at the onset of projects can also be based on faith in the project itself. In addition, as it can be difficult to foresee the right investments and strategies at the onset of the project, frequent reflection moments to choose fitting strategies might benefit regional partners in their cross-sector collaboration for health.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. J. E. van Vooren
- Department of Quality of Care and Health Economics, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Tilburg University, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, PO Box 90153, Tilburg, 5000 LE The Netherlands
| | - L. M. S. Janssen
- Department of Quality of Care and Health Economics, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - H. W. Drewes
- Department of Quality of Care and Health Economics, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - C. A. Baan
- Tilburg University, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, PO Box 90153, Tilburg, 5000 LE The Netherlands
| | - I. M. B. Bongers
- Tilburg University, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, PO Box 90153, Tilburg, 5000 LE The Netherlands
- Mental Health Care Institute Eindhoven, de Kempen, PO Box 909, Eindhoven, 5600 AX The Netherlands
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Honey-Rosés J, Zapata O. Green Spaces with Fewer People Improve Self-Reported Affective Experience and Mood. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1219. [PMID: 36673974 PMCID: PMC9858984 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Calm and quiet green spaces provide health benefits for urban residents. Yet as cities become more densely populated, increasing public users to green spaces may reduce or moderate these benefits. We examine how increased pedestrian density in a green street changes self-reported wellbeing. We use a between subject experimental design that added public users as confederates in randomly selected periods over three weeks. We collect data on mood and affective response from pedestrians moving through the green street (n = 504), with and without our public user treatment in randomly selected periods. Mood and affective response are improved when experiencing the green street with fewer people. We find that an increased number of public users in the green space has a negative effect on mood, especially among women. We provide experimental evidence that self-reported wellbeing in urban green spaces depends on social context, and that there are gender inequities associated with changes in affective response. Although we only measure immediate impacts, our results imply that the health benefits of green spaces may be limited by the total number of users. This research contributes additional evidence that greener cities are also healthier cities, but that the benefits may not be equally shared between women and men and will depend on the social context of use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Honey-Rosés
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Oscar Zapata
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8, Canada
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Seyler BC, Luo H, Wang X, Zuoqiu S, Xie Y, Wang Y. Assessing the impact of urban greenspace on physical health: An empirical study from Southwest China. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1148582. [PMID: 37026143 PMCID: PMC10070954 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1148582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction As the world becomes increasingly urbanized and human-nature contact declines, urban greenspace's impact on human health has garnered growing interest across academic disciplines. Various definitions and multiple indicators of greenspace have been utilized, with most studies finding an overall positive association between greenspace and health. Nevertheless, studies directly comparing how different greenspace indicators impact different disease types have been limited. Moreover, to verify the robustness of conclusions drawn, studies should compare multiple measures of greenspace across various spatial scales. Thus, a more comprehensive analysis is necessary to help inform future study design, especially in determining which greenspace indicators would be most useful in data-limited areas. Methods Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, is West China's largest and most urban city, being typical of other large cities in lower to middle-income countries (LMICs). With twenty county-level jurisdictions spanning various degrees of urbanization, Chengdu's landscape heterogeneity and large population make it ideal for studying greenspace's impact on public health. This study took Chengdu as a case study to assess the association and potential impact of three traditional measures of greenspace (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Enhanced Vegetation Index, and Fractional Vegetation Cover) and urban ratio (% of population being urban) on hospitalization rates and medical expenses paid for three major disease categories (circulatory system diseases, neoplasms, and respiratory system diseases). Results and discussion We found greenspace did have a significant impact on public health, but this relationship differed by disease type. Greenspace exhibited significant positive association with respiratory diseases, but insignificant negative associations with the other disease categories. Urban ratio showed significant negative association with greenspace abundance. The higher the urban ratio (e.g., less greenspace), the more money was paid on medical expenses. This relationship was found not only in terms of urban ratio being positively correlated with medical expenses, but also in that all three greenspace indicators were negatively correlated with medical expenses. Consequently, in future health outcome studies, urban ratio could be an acceptable negative indicator of greenness in LMICs where urban ratio is likely to imply less greenness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnabas C. Seyler
- Department of Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Shude International, Chengdu Shude High School, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Luo
- School of Software Engineering, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Province Informationization Application Support Software Engineering Technology Research Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiuli Wang
- West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Xiuli Wang
| | - Sophia Zuoqiu
- Department of Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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15
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Lee J, Kang M, Lee S, Lee S. Effects of Vegetation Structure on Psychological Restoration in an Urban Rooftop Space. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:260. [PMID: 36612582 PMCID: PMC9819547 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Connectedness to nature has been recognized as an important factor for well-being, with rooftop green spaces being used for stress reduction in modern cities. This study aimed to examine psychological and physiological responses to three different vegetation models on an urban rooftop. An analysis of psychological parameters indicated that the existence of vegetation in rooftop spaces could have positive effects on mood states, and the size of the effect was greater in a structured vegetation design than in a monotonous one. An analysis of the physiological parameters of heart rate variability and systolic blood pressure indicated that greater restorative effects are elicited from the use of vertical elements, such as shrubs and trees, added to grassy areas than from concrete environments. However, a fully enclosed vegetation with trees was not associated with higher parasympathetic activities than a half-open vegetation model. Based on these findings, an open and structured vegetation design that includes both grass and shrubs may have more potential for stress reduction than a monotonous vegetation model. A larger volume of vegetation was not necessarily linked to higher psychological and physiological benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juyoung Lee
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Hankyong National University, 327 Chungang-ro, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Minji Kang
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Hankyong National University, 327 Chungang-ro, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungku Lee
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Seoul National University, 1, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyong Lee
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Hankyong National University, 327 Chungang-ro, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
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Wang K, Sun Z, Cai M, Liu L, Wu H, Peng Z. Impacts of Urban Blue-Green Space on Residents' Health: A Bibliometric Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16192. [PMID: 36498264 PMCID: PMC9737146 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Urban blue-green space (UBGS), as an important component of the urban environment, is found to closely relate to human health. An extensive understanding of the effects of UBGS on human health is necessary for urban planning and intervention schemes towards healthy city development. However, a comprehensive review and discussion of relevant studies using bibliometric methods is still lacking. This paper adopted the bibliometric method and knowledge graph visualization technology to analyze the research on the impact of UBGS on residents' health, including the number of published papers, international influence, and network characteristics of keyword hotspots. The key findings include: (1) The number of articles published between 2001 and 2021 shows an increasing trend. Among the articles collected from WoS and CNKI, 38.74% and 32.65% of the articles focus on physical health, 38.32% and 30.61% on mental health, and 17.06% and 30.61% on public health, respectively. (2) From the analysis of international partnerships, countries with high levels of economic development and urbanization have closer cooperation than other countries. (3) UBGS has proven positive effects on residents' physical, mental, and public health. However, the mediating effects of UBGS on health and the differences in the health effects of UBGS on different ages and social classes are less studied. Therefore, this study proposes several future research directions. First, the mediating effect of UBGS on health impacts should be further examined. Furthermore, the interactive effects of residents' behaviors and the UBGS environment should be emphasized. Moreover, multidisciplinary integration should be strengthened. The coupling mechanism between human behavior and the environment should also be studied in depth with the help of social perception big data, wearable devices, and human-computer interactive simulation. Finally, this study calls for developing health risk monitoring and early warning systems, and integrating health impact assessment into urban planning, so as to improve residents' health and urban sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhihao Sun
- School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Wuhan Natural Resources Conservation and Utilization Center, Wuhan 430014, China
| | - Meng Cai
- School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lingbo Liu
- School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Center for Digital City Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Center for Geographic Analysis, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Center for Digital City Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhenghong Peng
- School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Center for Digital City Research, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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17
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Guo W, Jiang L, Cheng B, Yao Y, Wang C, Kou Y, Xu S, Xian D. A study of subtropical park thermal comfort and its influential factors during summer. J Therm Biol 2022; 109:103304. [PMID: 36195380 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Outdoor thermal comfort is significantly relevant to human's quality of life. Thus, it has been frequently studied by investigators. This study explored people's thermal responses to environments and the subjective factors that might affect thermal comforts with respect to two urban parks in Xindu, a satellite city in the Chengdu Plain (CDP). CDP is located at the southwest of China, which has a subtropical climate. The environment from each of the two parks was studied using current micrometeorology and hoped-for landscape changes (tree canopies, artificial canopies, non-canopying plants, and water surfaces); subjective factors included gender, age, body mass index, clothing isolation, and physical activities. It was found that canopies were the most preferred objective cooling elements, while individual thermal perceptions varied subjectively by age. The highest proportion of volunteers voted for tree canopies as their favourite thermal adjusting element. It was observed that those aged above 55 showed low thermal sensitivity. The remaining group's neutral temperatures (indicated by physiologically equivalent temperature, PET) were close, at approximately 25 °C. This study provides significant direction for future urban planning and landscape design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- Department of Architecture, Deyang Installation Technician College, Deyang, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Bin Cheng
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China.
| | - Yanfeng Yao
- School of Manufacture Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Chunlu Wang
- College of Humanities, Ningbo University of Finance & Economics, China
| | - Yining Kou
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University Jingjiang College, China
| | - Sheng Xu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Deqing Xian
- China Southwest Geotechnical Investigation & Design Institute Co., Ltd., China
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18
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Song C, Ikei H, Miyazaki Y. Seasonal Differences in Physiological Responses to Walking in Urban Parks. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12154. [PMID: 36231455 PMCID: PMC9566432 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to assess seasonal differences in physiological responses to walking in urban parks. In total, 51 Japanese male university students participated in this research. During each season, the participants walked for 15 min in an urban park and a city area, which was used as the control site. Heart-rate variability and heart rate were used as physiological indicators. The mean values of each indicator in a comparison between walking in an urban park and a city area were compared according to each season. In addition, to show the physiological effect of walking in an urban park, differences (between walking in an urban park and walking in a city area) were calculated. Then, differences according to each season were compared. The results showed that the participants had increased parasympathetic nervous system activity in all seasons except summer. Moreover, they had decreased sympathetic nervous system activity in spring and fall and decreased heart rate in all seasons. Compared with walking in urban parks in summer, walking in urban parks in spring, fall, and winter had a greater relaxation effect on parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activities; hence, the physiological effects of walking in urban parks vary based on season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chorong Song
- Department of Forest Science, Kongju National University, 54 Daehak-ro, Yesan-eup, Yesan-gun 32439, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea
| | - Harumi Ikei
- Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa 277-0882, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Miyazaki
- Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa 277-0882, Chiba, Japan
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Jiang J, Xia Z, Sun X, Wang X, Luo S. Social Infrastructure and Street Networks as Critical Infrastructure for Aging Friendly Community Design: Mediating the Effect of Physical Activity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11842. [PMID: 36231144 PMCID: PMC9565500 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Establishing an age-friendly environment at the community level is essential for promoting healthy aging. This study focused on the relationship between older adults and the community environment through their levels of satisfaction within it. We measured their physical activity (PA) in the community environment and three variables of community-level satisfaction: community environment (SCE), community social infrastructure (SSI), and community street networks (SSN). We analyzed 108 older adult participants in Suzhou using mediation analysis and multiple linear regression to investigate the relationship between physical activity and the community environment. The results of the mediation effect model showed that SCE, SSI, and SSN all affected the physical functions of older adults via the total amount of physical activity (TPA); SSI and SSN affected older adults' physical functions by affecting the total duration of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA). In addition, SSI and SSN are related to the types of community facilities, street space quality, and accessibility. Our study provides valuable insights into optimizing aging-friendly neighborhoods through moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PAs at both the facility and street space levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Jiang
- School of Architecture, Soochow University, No. 199 Ren-ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhengwei Xia
- School of Architecture, Soochow University, No. 199 Ren-ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xiaodi Sun
- School of Architecture, Soochow University, No. 199 Ren-ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xuanxuan Wang
- School of Architecture, Soochow University, No. 199 Ren-ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Shixian Luo
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University-Matsudo Campus, Chiba 271-8510, Japan
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Characteristics of Physical Activities and Environmental Factor Preferences of Older Adults in Rural Resettlement Community in Ningbo, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2022:5414384. [PMID: 36124242 PMCID: PMC9482504 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5414384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
As physical mobility declines, older adults become increasingly dependent on their living environment. The relationship between physical activities and community environments for older adults has been studied to help promote physical and mental health and increase social connections among older adults, thereby improving their quality of life and health status. This study analyzed the daily outdoor physical activities of older adults in Nanyu New Village, China, using behavior mapping and questionnaire research for data collection, and conducting a comprehensive analysis of the spatial, temporal, and environmental elements of the physical activities. This research showed that the physical activity choices of older adults in rural resettlement neighborhoods vary significantly by time, gender, and space. In decreasing order, surrounding support, site security, space convenience, beautiful landscape, and diverse facilities influence the outdoor physical activities of older adults. This study provides new insights into the ongoing debate on age-friendly communities and provides a useful reference for the design of age-friendly retrofitting of outdoor environments in rural resettlement communities.
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The Association between Active Mobility and Subjective Wellbeing during COVID-19 in MENA Countries. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10091603. [PMID: 36141215 PMCID: PMC9498887 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10091603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To augment the international scientific approach to raising public mental health through active lifestyle among adults, we added the evidence of the association between physical activity and subjective wellbeing in the Middle East and North Africa region by emphasizing the mediator—COVID-19. This study aimed to identify the correlations between active mobility and subjective wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample from Tabriz, Iran, which has not yet been tackled in previous study. Methods: We finalized an online survey (N = 603) from adults between 5 June and 15 July 2021. This group reported their individual and socio-economic characteristics and their perception features and location (e.g., home, work) during COVID-19. The paper developed three ordinal logistic regression (OLR) models to examine the association between active mobility types such as commute, non-commute, frequency of active travel to parks and services per week, and different subjective wellbeing including: 1- life satisfaction, 2- feeling energetic, and 3- peaceful mind while controlling for socio-economic variables (e.g., age, gender, education, job, and income) and objective commute distance. We also incorporated the most relevant objective (street length, land-use mix, number of intersections, and building and population density) and subjective (perceived distance to different services, perceived walking places, and perceived facilities attractiveness) factors. Results: Positive response relationships between four types of physical activity levels and subjective wellbeing scores were demonstrated in all of the three developed models (with significant levels of 0.05, and 0.1) with appropriate model fits, which confirmed the existing literature. However, these relationships showed different patterns (varied significant levels) for each type of subjective wellbeing. In addition, the factors including street length (p value: 0.004), perceived walkable places (p value: 0.021, 0.068, 0.017, and 0.025) (positively), population density, and perceived distance to shopping malls (p value: 0.076, <0.0001, and 0.059 (negatively) were associated with different indicators of subjective wellbeing. Conclusion: As for the implication of our study, special actions by urban authorities such as increasing mixed-use and creating attractive places will be required to enhance the walkability of the neighborhoods. Moreover, notifying the adults regarding the benefits of physical activity is much more needed.
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Jarosz E. Direct Exposure to Green and Blue Spaces is Associated with Greater Mental Wellbeing in Older Adults. JOURNAL OF AGING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/26892618.2022.2109792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Jarosz
- Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- SYNYO Research, Vienna, Austria
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23
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Tranquillity in Urban Classical Chinese Gardens and Modern Parks: The Effect of Natural and Contextual Features. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14159555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Parks and green spaces are an integral part of many urban areas. Such spaces offer a variety of psychological, physical and social benefits promoting a stronger sense of community and allowing people to cope better with everyday stress. These parks are often designed to provide tranquillity for people, and it is now an emerging area of policy in the promotion of quality of life. Tranquillity is considered a natural asset. Although they are vital, tranquil spaces are under threat, and it is, therefore, important to identify and understand such places so that they can be further planned and managed for the benefits that they provide. This study conceptualises the understanding of tranquillity and determines the extent to which a tranquil environment can be achieved. The study identified six parks referred to as “modern parks (MPs)” and “classical Chinese gardens (CCGs)”. Three parks each are located in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Questionnaires were used to ascertain the importance of tranquil areas and the contribution of park components towards tranquillity. This study investigates the contribution of park elements that include both natural and contextual features. Furthermore, park characteristics and park elements were similarly identified. There were clear differences between natural and contextual features in terms of their potential contribution towards park users’ perceived tranquillity. There is also a striking importance and potential contribution of contextual features within classical Chinese gardens in relation to perceived tranquillity. This study concludes that there is the need to continue to enhance the quality of park spaces with regard to fostering tranquillity in urban areas.
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Biophilic Experience-Based Residential Hybrid Framework. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148512. [PMID: 35886362 PMCID: PMC9320315 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
There has been increasing academic interest in biophilic design in response to recent environmental and climate change issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic. However, discussions of the utilization of digital technology in providing universal access to nature, and opportunities to experience more diverse nature, are lacking. This study aimed to compare and analyze major theoretical systems for biophilic experiences in a residential environment, and to propose a hybrid framework that combines physical and digital design techniques for comparison and analysis. This paper discusses framework application strategies in line with scales of residential environments. Based on a systematic literature review, this study integrated and derived key elements of biophilic experience for a better quality of life in a modern residential environment and proposed a hybrid framework and strategy based on this. As a result, a hybrid framework of 15 integrated factors for three biophilic experiences was derived, and various strengths and potential opportunities were identified in terms of application depending on the scales. At the unit scale, it was found that the well-being and health of residents improved; at the building scale, the potential for sustainability was highlighted; at the complex scale, there was a contribution to higher residential competitiveness in multi-dimensional aspects. In particular, the biophilic experience-based hybrid framework in this study provided insights into addressing the weaknesses and threats discussed in the existing biophilic design.
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Ho HC, Cheng W, Song Y, Liu Y, Guo Y, Lu S, Lum TYS, Chiu R, Webster C. Spatial uncertainty and environment-health association: An empirical study of osteoporosis among "old residents" in public housing estates across a hilly environment. Soc Sci Med 2022; 306:115155. [PMID: 35750005 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Built environment can influence physical conditions of older adults (e.g. osteoporosis). However, traditional methods using 2-dimensional circular buffer as a spatial structure to measure neighbourhood effect may create bias in health estimation, especially for the hilly and compact environment across low-income neighbourhoods (e.g. public housing estates). METHODS We evaluated the environmental influences on self-reported osteoporosis among "old residents" (age≥65) in Hong Kong (n = 2077). Twelve public housing estates across hilly neighbourhoods in Hong Kong were selected as study sites. A cross-validated approach was developed to evaluate four spatial structures (2D circular, 2D service area, 3D circular, 3D service area). To determine problems of spatial uncertainty, we compared odds ratios (OR) and differences in effect sizes from models using different spatial structures. When all adjusted models achieve significant results based on 95% confidence intervals (CI) and with all positive/negative ORs, this study reported to have reached "a result with consistency". Results from the 3D service area were then used to explain the environment-health relationship. RESULTS Different spatial structures can yield different results. Particularly, circular buffers overestimated environmental effects on self-reported osteoporosis. Overestimated measures were related to walkability and accessibility but not greenery. Specifically, results from the 3D service area showed that more public space and health facilities within a walkable distance (500 m) from a location of subject's residence were negatively associated with self-reported osteoporosis (adjusted ORs: 0.44 [0.29, 0.66]; 0.94 [0.90, 0.99]). However, more major transport facilities at the immediate distance from residence (200 m) was positively associated with self-reported osteoporosis (adjusted OR: 1.11 [1.01, 1.23]). CONCLUSIONS Physical conditions (e.g. osteoporosis) of older adults living in a hilly neighbourhood could be driven by walking behaviours. It is necessary to include local terrain and road network to define a walkable neighbourhood for environment-health estimations to minimize spatial bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Chak Ho
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yimeng Song
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, Unites States
| | - Yuqi Liu
- Department of Urban Planning, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingqi Guo
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Shiyu Lu
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Terry Yat Sang Lum
- Sau Po Centre on Ageing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Rebecca Chiu
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chris Webster
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Rodriguez-Loureiro L, Casas L, Bauwelinck M, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Gadeyne S. Long-term exposure to objective and perceived residential greenness and diabetes mortality: A census-based cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153445. [PMID: 35093349 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residing close to green spaces might reduce diabetes mellitus (DM) risk; however, evidence for diabetes mortality is limited. Moreover, individual and neighbourhood social factors may determine DM risk. Exposure to green spaces may also depend on socioeconomic position (SEP). This study examined the associations between residential greenness and diabetes-related mortality, and the role of the social environment in these associations. METHODS We used the 2001 Belgian census linked to mortality register data for the period 2001-2014. We included individuals aged 40-79 years old and residing in the five largest Belgian urban areas at baseline. Exposure to residential greenness was assessed with surrounding greenness using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 500-m of residence (objective indicator), and perceived neighbourhood greenness (subjective indicator). We conducted mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards models to obtain hazard ratios (HR) for diabetes-related mortality per interquartile range (IQR) increments of residential greenness. We assessed effect modification by social factors through stratification. RESULTS From 2,309,236 individuals included at baseline, 1.2% died from DM during follow-up. Both residential greenness indicators were inversely associated with diabetes-related mortality after adjustment for individual social factors. After controlling for neighbourhood SEP, the beneficial association with surrounding greenness disappeared [HR 1.02 (95%CI:0.99,1.06)], but persisted with perceived neighbourhood greenness [HR 0.93 (95%CI:0.91,0.95)]. After stratification the inverse associations with perceived neighbourhood greenness were strongest for women, the lowest educated, and individuals residing in least deprived neighbourhoods. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that an overall positive perception of neighbourhood green spaces reduces independently the risk of diabetes-related mortality, regardless of the neighbourhood social environment. Nevertheless, neighbourhood SEP may be a strong confounder in the associations between diabetes-related mortality and greenness indicators derived from satellite images. Perception factors not captured by objective measurements of green spaces are potentially relevant in the association with DM, especially among disadvantaged groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Rodriguez-Loureiro
- Interface Demography, Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Lidia Casas
- Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Gouverneur Kinsbergencentrum, Doornstraat 331, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IMDO), University of Antwerp, Campus Groenenborger, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mariska Bauwelinck
- Interface Demography, Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wouter Lefebvre
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Vanpoucke
- Belgian Interregional Environment Agency (IRCELINE), Gaucheretstraat 92-94, 1030 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Gadeyne
- Interface Demography, Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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The Landscape of the Spa Parks Creation through Components Influencing Environmental Perception Using Multi-Criteria Analysis. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The improvement of the landscape of spa parks should result from the planned directions of development and the most important tasks of the spatial policy of spa towns. Their proper management significantly impacts the region’s economic growth: the labour market, the size and type of new financial investments, and the natural environment. The basis of activity in the areas of spa parks is the balancing of elements of the natural, cultural and historical background. Parks are health protection zones, health ecosystems—separated from the spa zone to protect healing and environmental values. These areas should be characterized by rational landscaping. The spatial layout of park areas should consider the appropriate zones (healing, silence, recreation). The leading element that allows separating sub-areas in parks is the layout of alleys and greenery. The attractiveness of parks is also influenced by factors related to spa activities. The article aims to indicate the main criteria affecting the perception of the landscape of spa parks. Their meaning was determined by information entropy. A selection of criteria defining the landscape assessment and influencing the perception of spa greenery, which helped determine how to shape and develop the spa park, was presented. Data obtained from actual field measurements on factors influencing the reception and perception of spa parks were considered. The multi-criteria method of comparative analysis allows one to quickly and transparently determine the hierarchy of the most advantageous variables from the adopted criteria. The study confirmed that the smaller the sum of adverse elements affecting the shaping of the park spatial, the better residents’ and patients’ perception of the park.
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Wu J, Li X, Li S, Liu C, Yi T, Zhao Y. Spatial Heterogeneity and Attribution Analysis of Urban Thermal Comfort in China from 2000 to 2020. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095683. [PMID: 35565078 PMCID: PMC9105431 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Research on urban thermal environments based on thermal comfort can help formulate effective measures to improve urban thermal and human settlement environments, which is of great significance for improving urban quality, urban climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. Taking 344 municipal administrative districts in China as study areas, the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) of each city in the last 20 years was calculated to evaluate thermal comfort. We then analyzed the thermal comfort and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of each city during a typical heat wave. Finally, the driving forces of the potential socioeconomic, natural, and landscape factors influencing thermal comfort were analyzed using geographic detectors. The results show that the thermal comfort index had similar spatial patterns and differentiation characteristics in different years, and the interannual variation was not obvious. Cities in the typical heat wave period were mainly distributed in East and Northwest China. The driving factor in the contribution rate of the same index in different years was basically the same and was not affected by the change in years, and the highest contribution rate was the natural factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiansheng Wu
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.L.); (S.L.); (C.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.)
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-180-2870-3688
| | - Xuechen Li
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.L.); (S.L.); (C.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Si Li
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.L.); (S.L.); (C.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Chang Liu
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.L.); (S.L.); (C.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Tengyun Yi
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.L.); (S.L.); (C.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yuhao Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.L.); (S.L.); (C.L.); (T.Y.); (Y.Z.)
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Lu S, Oh W, Ooka R, Wang L. Effects of Environmental Features in Small Public Urban Green Spaces on Older Adults’ Mental Restoration: Evidence from Tokyo. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095477. [PMID: 35564870 PMCID: PMC9100600 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to small public urban green spaces (SPUGS) has been demonstrated to have mental benefits for older adults. However, studies on identifying the objective environmental features of SPUGS and their effects on mental restoration for older adults remain limited. This study employed a multilevel regression model to investigate the restorative and vitalizing effects of the environmental features of 11 SPUGS in Tokyo. Onsite measurements were conducted in Kita-Ku, and 202 older adults were surveyed. The results showed that: (1) The fitting curve of the green view index and Restoration Outcome Scale (ROS) score showed an inverted U shape—both green view index and boundary enclosure had a strong impact on the mental restoration of older adults; (2) The colorfulness index showed the strongest relationship with the vitalizing effect. (3) The sky view factor and number of seats only influenced the ROS score, while the results of revitalization suggest that large areas of water should be avoided. (4) Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) was also confirmed to have negative effects on the mental restoration of older adults in autumn. These empirical findings can be used as a resource to promote the mental health of older adults in the design of SPUGS in high-density Asian countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Lu
- Department of Architecture, School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
| | - Wonseok Oh
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan; (W.O.); (R.O.)
| | - Ryozo Ooka
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan; (W.O.); (R.O.)
| | - Lijun Wang
- Department of Architecture, School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
- Correspondence:
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Rapidly Quantifying Interior Greenery Using 360° Panoramic Images. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13040602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many people spend the majority of their time indoors and there is emerging evidence that interior greenery contributes to human wellbeing. Accurately capturing the amount of interior greenery is an important first step in studying its contribution to human well-being. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of interior greenery captured using 360° panoramic images taken within a range of different interior spaces. We developed an Interior Green View Index (iGVI) based on a K-means clustering algorithm to estimate interior greenery from 360° panoramic images taken within 66 interior spaces and compared these estimates with interior greenery measured manually from the same panoramic images. Interior greenery estimated using the automated method ranged from 0% to 34.19% of image pixels within the sampled interior spaces. Interior greenery estimated using the automated method was highly correlated (r = 0.99) with interior greenery measured manually, although we found the accuracy of the automated method compared with the manual method declined with the volume and illuminance of interior spaces. The results suggested that our automated method for extracting interior greenery from 360° panoramic images is a useful tool for rapidly estimating interior greenery in all but very large and highly illuminated interior spaces.
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Generating Inclusive Health Benefits from Urban Green Spaces: An Empirical Study of Beijing Olympic Forest Park. BUILDINGS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings12040397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Nature proximity contributes to improving many people’s health. In urban areas, how to increase the gaining of health benefits from urban green space (UGS) has gradually become a topic of concern for urban planners and public health practitioners. However, studies that can make causal inferences and evidence from developing countries and societies are still limited, and little has been done to address the issue of equity. Using data gathered in face-to-face surveys from 997 visitors to the Beijing Olympic Forest Park, we applied the instrumental variable approach to analyze park visit benefits to human physical and mental health, and explore ways that can help motivate visits and enhance equitable use. The results show that the overweight had more frequent visits, indicating that people with less-than-ideal health status might feel the urgency in improving their health and choose to engage in more recreation. In this sense, UGS showed a tendency to provide means for a certain group of people to proactively improve health. The study also solidifies the mid-term stress-relieving effect of park recreation that increased with visiting frequency, and found that visits to different types of UGS should all be beneficial, and do not have to be to large green parks. While distance is a decisive factor in encouraging UGS visits, route friendliness was found to have a complementing role, implying that creating routes to UGS that are more conducive to non-motorized travel (walking and cycling) could be seen as an important instrument. Both the incentives to park visitation and stress-relieving effect are more pronounced in elder groups, indicating higher potentials of such an approach in cities with an aging population. In terms of equity, differences in knowledge and income levels associated with use levels indicated inequitable use. To promote inclusiveness, the policy could start by increasing people’s recognition of health benefits derived from UGS recreation through for example publicity programs. The study could bring implications for planning practitioners to leverage health potentials from increased and equitable use of UGS. Limitations of the study includes: (1) given the nature of cross-sectional data, the possibility of two-way causality cannot be ruled out, and (2) the study was conducted in one park and only park visitors were surveyed. In the future, researchers could consider conducting multi-period surveys, and to look at the city level to include all kinds of recreational UGS, and, if possible, to cover all residents.
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Perceived Environmental Attributes: Their Impact on Older Adults' Mental Health in Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063595. [PMID: 35329282 PMCID: PMC8949010 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In Malaysia, the population of older adults will increase in the coming years. In this context, there is a requirement to build an age-friendly environment to enable the elderly to age healthily. Many studies have shown that a built environment that allows older adults to age in place improves their mental health. However, person-environment analysis that considers mental well-being has remained rare for older adults living in Malaysia. This study examines the relationship between Malaysian seniors’ perceptions of their surroundings at home and in the neighborhood and their mental health. Using stratified sampling, 510 seniors aged 60 and over were interviewed. The results showed that accessibility (p-value 0.033, 95% CI for coefficients 0.006, 0.146), environmental qualities (0.015, 0.014, 0.129) and neighborhood problems (0.000, −0.299, −0.146) were significant determinants of elderly people’s mental health. With respect to respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, female elderly (0.000, 0.616, 0.782), older adults with an elementary education (0.000, 0.263, 0.685) or a college degree (0.026, 0.019, 0.294), being married (0.005, 0.047, 0.259), the ability to drive (0.000, 0.993, 1.315), the number of dependents in the family (0.003, −0.060, −0.012), and homeownership (0.000, −0.602, −0.271) were significantly related to mental well-being.
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Abstract
Peri-urban and urban green are considered among the basic priorities of the local government’s regional policy agenda, in line with the principles of spatial planning. This agenda is promoted at both the national and European levels through a variety of technical and institutional measures. Green spaces in urban and suburban areas are directly linked to the quality of life of urban residents and their environment. In this context, the purpose of this study is to investigate and identify the characteristics and factors that influence the residents of a small Greek city in terms of the value they attach to urban and suburban green spaces. These factors are identified through the residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) using the contingent valuation method (CVM). In general, the analysis aims to document the value of environmental economic methods as a tool in the management of natural heritage. According to the research, income and knowledge of environmental issues (global and local) as well as the benefits of green spaces (urban and suburban) are the key factors that drive residents to place a higher value on them. Future work may explore whether or how the COVID-19 pandemic affected city residents’ willingness to pay for green spaces.
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Strategic Assessment of Neighbourhood Environmental Impacts on Mental Health in the Lisbon Region (Portugal): A Strategic Focus and Assessment Framework at the Local Level. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Scientific evidence shows that each place/environment generates specific conditions with associated impacts on the mental health and well-being of the population. A holistic, multilevel and integrated environmental approach to mental health enhances the understanding of this phenomena, supporting the local decision-making processes to improve spatial planning of neighbourhood environments. The aim of this study is to develop a strategic assessment framework, based on four municipalities in the Lisbon Region (Portugal), that explores policy and planning initiatives capable of generating favourable neighbourhood environmental conditions for mental health while also detecting risks. Using baseline results of significant statistical associations between individuals’ perceptions of their neighbourhood environment and their mental health in the Lisbon Region, a Strategic Focus on Environmental and Mental Health Assessment framework (SEmHA) was built, by applying the methodology “Strategic Thinking for Sustainability” in Strategic Environmental Assessment, developed by Partidário in 2012. Taking into account the promotion of the population’s mental health, four critical decision factors of neighbourhood environments were identified: (1) public space quality (e.g., improving sense of place), (2) physical environment quality (e.g., low levels of noise exposure), (3) professional qualification and creation of economic activities (e.g., attracting new economic activities), and (4) services and facilities (e.g., improving access to health and education services). The proposed strategic focus and assessment framework contributes to ensuring that interventions in neighbourhood environments truly achieve community mental health benefits and reduce inequalities, thus helping policy makers to assess impacts at the local level.
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Slawsky ED, Hajat A, Rhew IC, Russette H, Semmens EO, Kaufman JD, Leary CS, Fitzpatrick AL. Neighborhood greenspace exposure as a protective factor in dementia risk among U.S. adults 75 years or older: a cohort study. Environ Health 2022; 21:14. [PMID: 35033073 PMCID: PMC8760791 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00830-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that greenspace may confer neurocognitive benefits. This study examines whether residential greenspace is associated with risk of dementia among older adults. METHODS Greenspace exposure was computed for 3047 participants aged 75 years and older enrolled in the Gingko Evaluation of Memory Study (GEMS) across four U.S. sites that prospectively evaluated dementia and its subtypes, Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and mixed pathologies, using neuropsychiatric evaluations between 2000 and 2008. After geocoding participant residences at baseline, three greenspace metrics-Normalized Difference Vegetative Index, percent park overlap within a 2-km radius, and linear distance to nearest park-were combined to create a composite residential greenspace measure categorized into tertiles. Cox proportional hazards models estimated the associations between baseline greenspace and risk of incident all-cause dementia, AD, and Mixed/VaD. RESULTS Compared to low residential greenspace, high residential greenspace was associated with a reduced risk of dementia (HR = 0.76 95% CI: 0.59,0.98) in models adjusted for multiple covariates. After additional adjustment for behavioral characteristics, Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 status, and other covariates, the association was slightly attenuated (HR = 0.82; 95% CI:0.63,1.06). Those exposed to medium levels of greenspace also had 28% lower risk (HR = 0.72; CI: 0.55, 0.95) of dementia compared to those with low greenspace in adjusted models. Subtype associations between high residential greenspace and AD were not statistically significant. Greenspace was not found to be significantly associated with mixed/vascular pathologies. CONCLUSIONS This study showed evidence for an association between residential greenspace and all-cause dementia among older adults. Future research with larger sample size, precise characterization of different dementia subtypes, and assessment of residential greenspace earlier in life may help clarify the role between exposure to greenspace and dementia risk.
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The influence of social and economic environment on health. One Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822794-7.00005-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Coleman CJ, Yeager RA, Riggs DW, Coleman NC, Garcia GR, Bhatnagar A, Pope CA. Greenness, air pollution, and mortality risk: A U.S. cohort study of cancer patients and survivors. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106797. [PMID: 34332301 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest that living in areas of high surrounding greenness may be associated with a lower cardiopulmonary mortality risk. However, associations of greenness with specific causes of death in cancer patients and survivors has not been examined and it is unknown whether this relationship is affected by area levels of fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5). This study evaluated associations between greenness and PM2.5 on causes of death in a large, U.S.-based cohort of cancer patients and survivors. METHODS Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data were used to generate a cohort of 5,529,005 cancer patients and survivors from 2000 to 2016. Census-tract Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) during May-October from 2003 to 2016 was population-weighted to act as a county-level greenness measure. County-level PM2.5 exposure was estimated from annual concentrations averaged from 1999 to 2015. Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to estimate the association between greenness, PM2.5, and cause-specific mortality while controlling for age, sex, race, and other individual and county level variables. FINDINGS An IQR increase in greenness was associated with a decrease in cancer mortality for cancer patients (Hazard ratio of 0.94, 95% CI: 0.93-0.95), but not for cardiopulmonary mortality (0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-1.00). Inversely, an increase in 10 μg/m3 PM2.5 was associated with increased cardiopulmonary mortality (1.24, 95% CI: 1.19-1.29), but not cancer mortality (0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.00). Hazard ratios were robust to inclusion of PM2.5 in models with greenness and vice versa. Although exposure estimates were constant over most stratifications, greenness seemed to benefit individuals diagnosed with high survivability cancers (0.92, 95% CI: 0.90-0.95) more than those with low survivability cancers (0.98. 95% CI: 0.96-0.99). INTERPRETATION Higher levels of greenness are associated with lower cancer mortality in cancer patients. The evidence suggests minimal confounding between greenness and PM2.5 exposures and risk of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carver J Coleman
- Department of Economics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, United States
| | - Ray A Yeager
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Daniel W Riggs
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Nathan C Coleman
- Bates White LLC, 2001 K St NW, North, Tower Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006, United States
| | - George R Garcia
- Department of Economics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, United States
| | - Aruni Bhatnagar
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, United States
| | - C Arden Pope
- Department of Economics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, United States.
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The Influence of Street Microenvironment on the Walking Activities of Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study Based on the Structural Equation Model and Manipulated Photos. SOCIAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci10120451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence of an association between the built environment and walking activity, but knowledge of street microenvironmental factors and older adults’ walking is limited and inconsistent. We used a socio-ecological model as the theoretical framework for this study, aiming to investigate longitudinally the important influences of the street microenvironment on older people’s walking by manipulated street photographs and whether there are different groups of older people with different environmental preferences, and to determine the influence of environmental factors in the socio-ecological model. The clustering analysis method was used to divide the samples into four groups, and those four subgroups were put in a comparative analysis regarding their street environments by methods of semantic differential (SD). The preferences of various subgroups were checked by the variance analysis and post hoc tests, and the structural equation model (SEM) was applied to discuss the relations of correlation and influence among each factor. The results showed that “parking on the sidewalk” was rated the lowest in the pre-intervention photos, and “shaded” and “hedge” were rated the highest in the post-intervention photos, and the environmental requirements were different for the older, poorer and higher income and education subgroups. There was a significant positive relationship between residential status and architectural interventions as well as self-efficacy and physical condition. These findings suggest that when developing environmental interventions to promote walking among older adults, priority should be given to those factors that need to be improved most. In addition, attention should be paid to the differences in walking needs among different groups of older adults, with particular attention on the impact of self-selected living environments on street-level environmental interventions.
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India-Aldana S, Rundle AG, Zeleniuch-Jacquotte A, Quinn JW, Kim B, Afanasyeva Y, Clendenen TV, Koenig KL, Liu M, Neckerman KM, Thorpe LE, Chen Y. Neighborhood Walkability and Mortality in a Prospective Cohort of Women. Epidemiology 2021; 32:763-772. [PMID: 34347687 PMCID: PMC8969891 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a paucity of prospective cohort studies evaluating neighborhood walkability in relation to the risk of death. METHODS We geocoded baseline residential addresses of 13,832 women in the New York University Women's Health Study (NYUWHS) and estimated the Built Environment and Health Neighborhood Walkability Index (BEH-NWI) for each participant circa 1990. The participants were recruited from 1985 to 1991 in New York City and followed for an average of 27 years. We conducted survival analyses using Cox proportional hazards models to assess the association between neighborhood walkability and risk of death from any cause, obesity-related diseases, cardiometabolic diseases, and obesity-related cancers. RESULTS Residing in a neighborhood with a higher neighborhood walkability score was associated with a lower mortality rate. Comparing women in the top versus the lowest walkability tertile, the hazards ratios (and 95% CIs) were 0.96 (0.93, 0.99) for all-cause, 0.91 (0.86, 0.97) for obesity-related disease, and 0.72 (0.62, 0.85) for obesity-related cancer mortality, respectively, adjusting for potential confounders at both the individual and neighborhood level. We found no association between neighborhood walkability and risk of death from cardiometabolic diseases. Results were similar in analyses censoring participants who moved during follow-up, using multiple imputation for missing covariates, and using propensity scores matching women with high and low neighborhood walkability on potential confounders. Exploratory analyses indicate that outdoor walking and average BMI mediated the association between neighborhood walkability and mortality. CONCLUSION Our findings are consistent with a protective role of neighborhood walkability in obesity-related mortality in women, particularly obesity-related cancer mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra India-Aldana
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, 5 Fl., New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Andrew G. Rundle
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Anne Zeleniuch-Jacquotte
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, 5 Fl., New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - James W. Quinn
- Columbia Population Research Center, Columbia University
| | - Byoungjun Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Yelena Afanasyeva
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, 5 Fl., New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Tess V. Clendenen
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, 5 Fl., New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Karen L. Koenig
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, 5 Fl., New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Mengling Liu
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, 5 Fl., New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Lorna E. Thorpe
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, 5 Fl., New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, 5 Fl., New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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The Ethics of Plant Flourishing and Agricultural Ethics: Theoretical Distinctions and Concrete Recommendations in Light of the Environmental Crisis. PHILOSOPHIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/philosophies6040091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Many activities towards plants are directly related to environmental crisis issues. However, our actions towards plants are little theorized in philosophy and ethics. After a brief presentation of the history, state of the art, and current issues of plant ethics, I critically illustrate how the theoretical threads of current ethics should be clarified, and, more importantly, contextualised, to promote the application of concrete measures. Particular attention is paid to the ethics of plant flourishing as applied to different fields and types of plants. The treatment of wild and ornamental plants is, thus, explicitly distinguished from that of improved agricultural varieties, themselves distinguishable according to modes of cultivation. I thus propose and discuss several recommendations and concrete courses of action to promote an ethics of plants, while pointing out its limitations.
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Barcın Güzeldere HK, Aksoy M. Anthropometric measurements and food consumption analysis of older people according to place of residence and gender: A cross-sectional study. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2021; 45:236-244. [PMID: 34620323 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The older population across the world is rapidly increasing, raising the importance of a healthy and independent aging process and the factors affecting it. This study aimed to examine the food consumption habits and anthropometric measurements of older people according to their gender and the place of residence. METHODS A total of 121 healthy participants aged over 80 years who lived in rural (n:70) and urban (n:51) areas in the Aegean Region of Turkey were included in the study. A questionnaire was administered to determine the demographic data and nutritional status of the participants. Three-day food consumption was recorded and then analyzed using BeBiS 8.1. The participants' adherence to the Mediterranean diet and their Healthy Eating Index-2015 values were calculated based on their food consumption. The circumferences of the waist, hip, upper-mid arm and calf of the participants were measured by the researcher using an inelastic measuring tape. Weight, fat, muscle, water and basal metabolic rate were measured using the TANITA BC730 body impedance analyzer. RESULTS The mean weight, body mass index, circumferences of waist, hip and upper-mid arm,fat-free mass and basal metabolic rate were higher in the rural men than the urban ones (p < 0.05). The urban women had a higher waist-to-hip ratio than the rural ones (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the participants' adherence to the Mediterranean diet and their Healthy Eating Index values according to gender or the region they lived in. Nutrient intake was compared with the daily recommendations in the Turkish Nutrition Guide. It was found that the urban men consumed more carbohydrates, fats, vitamins A and C, and sodium. In contrast, energy, protein, fiber, vitamins E, D, B1, B2, B6 and B12, folic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc were consumed at lower amounts than recommendations. On the other hand, the rural men consumed more carbohydrates, fats, vitamins A, C and B2, folic acid, sodium and zinc. Similarly, the urban and rural women were found to have a higher intake of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins A and B2 and sodium and lower intake of other nutrients than recommendations. CONCLUSION Old age is one of the most sensitive periods in a person's life cycle. Place of residence during this period may physiologically affect food intake, physical activity, and therefore, anthropometric measurements. Healthcare providers should take into account that place of residence may alter older individuals' nutritional status and anthropometric measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Kübra Barcın Güzeldere
- Istanbul Medeniyet University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetic, Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey; Istanbul Medipol University, Institute of Health Science, Nutrition and Dietetic, Kavacık, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Contextual influences on chronic illness: A multi-level analysis in the twin cities of Ramallah and Al Bireh in the occupied Palestinian Territory. Health Place 2021; 72:102677. [PMID: 34592679 PMCID: PMC8633762 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The features of the urban environment can support human health as well as harm it, but less is known about such influences in the context of middle eastern countries. The association between green space and the political classifications of the urban environment and the risk of chronic illness was investigated in a novel setting, the twin cities of Ramallah and Albireh in the occupied Palestinian territory. We used a generalised multi-level regression analysis to link the 2017 census data with Geographic Information System data. We modelled individuals at level one (n = 54693) and areas of residence at level two (n = 228), adjusting for individual demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The proportions of ‘mixed’ trees in residential areas had a significant inverse association with the risk of chronic illness. On the political dimension, only living in a refugee camp had a significant positive association with chronic illness; however, this was largely explained and rendered non-significant when green space variables were entered into the models. Our ability to differentiate between several types of green space was important, as findings demonstrated that not all types were associated with reduced risk of chronic illness. Our results from a middle eastern setting add to the largely Western existing evidence, that trees in urban settings are important and beneficial to human health. Researchers and policymakers should pay more attention to the health consequences of refugee camps but also the role of trees in benefiting individuals' health in such a disadvantaged context. The study explored the urban political and environmental impacts on health in the Palestinian context. Living in a refugee camp is positively associated with the risk of chronic illness, over and above individual characteristics. Residential areas mixed trees are inversely associated with chronic illness, and explained the association with refugee camps. Not all types of green space are associated with a reduced risk of chronic illness.
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Use of Urban Green Spaces in the Context of Lifestyle Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tokyo. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13179817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020 drastically changed urban lifestyles. Workers were forced to minimize commuting to their workplaces, older adults were banned from using meeting facilities, and children were prohibited from going to school. The consequent lack of exercise, accumulated stress, and reduced well-being are likely to have become problems, which may be improved by using urban green spaces (UGS). This study clarified the characteristics of users of UGS in Tokyo during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on telecommuters, older adults, and families with children. An online questionnaire survey was conducted among Tokyo residents, and 3085 responses were obtained. A binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted with the use and evaluation of UGS as the objective variables. The results showed that older adults and families with children who had been using UGS before the pandemic and telecommuters who newly started using UGS during the pandemic used UGS differently. Older adults and families with children tended to use small parks and appreciated human connections. Telecommuters often used greenways, temples, and shrines, valuing stress-reducing functions. Given that a changing lifestyle brings new UGS users new preferences, urban planners should consider that UGS require change with the time.
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Fletcher DH, Likongwe PJ, Chiotha SS, Nduwayezu G, Mallick D, Uddin Md N, Rahman A, Golovátina-Mora P, Lotero L, Bricker S, Tsirizeni M, Fitch A, Panagi M, Ruiz Villena C, Arnhardt C, Vande Hey J, Gornall R, Jones L. Using demand mapping to assess the benefits of urban green and blue space in cities from four continents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 785:147238. [PMID: 33940421 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The benefits of urban green and blue infrastructure (UGI) are widely discussed, but rarely take into account local conditions or contexts. Although assessments increasingly consider the demand for the ecosystem services that UGI provides, they tend to only map the spatial pattern of pressures such as heat, or air pollution, and lack a wider understanding of where the beneficiaries are located and who will benefit most. We assess UGI in five cities from four continents with contrasting climate, socio-political context, and size. For three example services (air pollution removal, heat mitigation, accessible greenspace), we run an assessment that takes into account spatial patterns in the socio-economic demand for ecosystem services and develops metrics that reflect local context, drawing on the principles of vulnerability assessment. Despite similar overall levels of UGI (from 35 to 50% of urban footprint), the amount of service provided differs substantially between cities. Aggregate cooling ranged from 0.44 °C (Leicester) to 0.98 °C (Medellin), while pollution removal ranged from 488 kg PM2.5/yr (Zomba) to 48,400 kg PM2.5/yr (Dhaka). Percentage population with access to nearby greenspace ranged from 82% (Dhaka) to 100% (Zomba). The spatial patterns of pressure, of ecosystem service, and of maximum benefit within a city do not necessarily match, and this has implications for planning optimum locations for UGI in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Fletcher
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - Patrick J Likongwe
- AFRICITY project manager and PhD Scholar, Environmental Science (Urban Ecosystem Services), LEAD, P/Bag 07, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Sosten S Chiotha
- LEAD Southern and Eastern Africa, Mulunguzi, Fishing Flies Road, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Gilbert Nduwayezu
- School of Engineering, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Dwijen Mallick
- Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), House 10, Road 16A, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Nasir Uddin Md
- Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), House 10, Road 16A, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Atiq Rahman
- Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), House 10, Road 16A, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Polina Golovátina-Mora
- Faculty of Social Communication-Journalism, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Laura Lotero
- Facultad de Ingeniería Industrial, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Stephanie Bricker
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Mathews Tsirizeni
- LEAD Southern and Eastern Africa, Mulunguzi, Fishing Flies Road, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Alice Fitch
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Marios Panagi
- University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | | | - Christian Arnhardt
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | | | - Richard Gornall
- University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Laurence Jones
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
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Chang HT, Wu CD, Wang JD, Chen PS, Su HJ. Residential green space structures are associated with a lower risk of bipolar disorder: A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 283:115864. [PMID: 33857883 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although many researchers have identified the potential psychological benefits offered by greenness, the association between green space structures and mental disorders is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to identify associations between green space structures and the incidence of bipolar disorder. To this end, we investigated 1,907,776 individuals collected from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. After a follow-up investigation from 2005 to 2016, among those with no history of bipolar disorder, 20,548 individuals were further found to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. A geographic information system and landscape index were used to quantify three indices of green space structures: mean patch area (area and edge), mean fractal dimension index (shape), and mean proximity index (proximity). Additionally, greenness indices, the normalized difference vegetation index, and the enhanced vegetation index were used to confirm the association between greenness and incidence of bipolar disorder. These five indices were used to represent the individual's exposure according to the township of the hospital that they most frequently visited with symptoms of the common cold. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to select variables by considering their collinearity. Subsequently, the frailty model for each index was used to examine the specific associations between those respective indices and the incidence of bipolar disorder by adjusting for related risk factors, such as socioeconomic status, metabolic syndrome, and air pollution. A negative association was identified between the mean patch area and the mean proximity index, and the incidence of bipolar disorder. In contrast, a positive association was found between the mean fractal dimension index and the incidence of bipolar disorder. We observed similar results in sensitivity testing and subgroup analysis. Exposure to green spaces with a larger area, greater proximity, lower complexity, and greener area may reduce the risk of bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ting Chang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Da Wu
- Department of Geomatics, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 350, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Der Wang
- Department of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University, College of, Medicine, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Po-See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of, Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, Yunlin, 64000, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Jen Su
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
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Validating Circular Performance Indicators: The Interface between Circular Economy and Stakeholders. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13162198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The development and application of appropriate Circular Economy indicators is an issue that concerns both the scientific and the business community, as well as decision makers. The existing gap between research, policy and practice could be bridged by using a dynamic indicators selection approach that combines both expert and participatory practices. This study aims to develop such a novel approach for the selection of indicators based on views and needs of practitioners, whilst considering the complex interdependencies of the indicators and determining their importance. Twenty circularity indicators for the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems nexus are selected and ranked by different stakeholders. The interrelationships of the indicators are identified using the Interpretive Structural Model, resulting in six levels of importance. Cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis further enabled the classification of the twenty indicators into four categories based on their driving and dependence power. The results indicate that seven indicators—one related to regeneration of natural environment principle, four related to keep resources in use, and two related to design out negative externalities—are the driving indicators to Circular Economy. The approach can be applied to other sets of indicators as well, enabling their prioritization and implementation with other systems.
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Zhang P, Jin Y, Gao Z, Ma X. From Green Spaces to Squares: Mapping the Distribution of Taijiquan Organizations in London. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168452. [PMID: 34444200 PMCID: PMC8394250 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Contributing to Taijiquan studies, this research uses spatial analysis tools in ArcGIS 10.3 and SPSS 23.0 to map out the spatial distributional pattern of the Taijiquan organizations in London, and then explores factors attributing to the spatial distribution of Taijiquan culture. The result shows that the distribution of Taijiquan organizations in London generally presents a spatial distribution structure of "dense center + sparse periphery"; the spatial distribution is unbalanced, showing a cohesive distribution; the directional distribution tends to be obvious in areas that are proximate to urban traffic arteries and afforestation in London. Through multivariate hierarchical regression analysis, the study explores the influential factors for the spatial distribution of Taijiquan organizations in London. The results show that: population size, economic level, and education level have little influence on the spatial distribution of Taijiquan organizations; however, the population density of people over 65 years old, the accessibility of public service facilities such as green spaces, and public urban traffic has a significant impact on the spatial distribution of Taijiquan organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- School of Wushu, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Yan Jin
- School of Foreign Languages, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Zhan Gao
- School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 1FS, UK;
| | - Xiujie Ma
- School of Wushu, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China;
- Chinese Guoshu Academy, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-(0)28-8501-5753
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Adesina MA, Oladele RI, Olufadewa II, Onothoja OF, Oladipo DR, Iyiola OP, Ekott MB, Nwachukwu PC, Baru A, Akinloye SJ. Addressing the high burden of noncommunicable diseases in Nigeria: a commentary. JOURNAL OF HEALTH RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/jhr-02-2020-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this study describes how individuals; healthcare providers and the government can reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis commentary paper combines extensive literature searches and experience from public health physicians.FindingsNoncommunicable diseases are chronic diseases. They result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors. NCDs are divided into four classes: cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.Practical implicationsNoncommunicable diseases are responsible for about a quarter of total deaths in Nigeria. These deaths are unnecessary as most NCDs can be prevented if the risk factors are dealt with. Dealing with these risk factors involves everyone (Individuals, government, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary researchers, policymakers, government, etc.).Originality/valueMajor risk factors for NCDs are tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. The solution to NCDs, therefore, lies in dealing with these factors, which, fortunately, are modifiable since they have to do with lifestyle practices. There is evidence to support the claim that a reduction of the risks of NCDs can be achieved by engaging in healthy lifestyle practices.
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Investigating the Association between Outdoor Environment and Outdoor Activities for Seniors Living in Old Residential Communities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147500. [PMID: 34299950 PMCID: PMC8307385 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many seniors live in old residential communities (ORCs) with low-quality outdoor environment (OE), which hinders the residents’ outdoor daily activities (ODAs). This paper empirically investigates the association of OE on ODAs for seniors living in ORCs. A questionnaire was designed and distributed in six central districts of Nanjing city. A total of 258 questionnaires was finally collected, of which 60.08%, 29.46%, 9.69%, and 0.78% respondents were scattered into four age groups (61–69, 70–79, 80–89, and ≥90), respectively. Based on reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, the results show that: (1) social activities are mainly associated with noise; (2) leisure activities are significantly associated with road accessibility, slip-resistance measures, greenery, and staff; (3) utilitarian-type activities are significantly associated with stairway accessibility, slip-resistance measures, greenery, and seating; (4) there is a significant association between nature-exposure activities and layout, greenery, and poor air quality. The findings could guide Chinese officials when renewing ORCs by addressing the most important outdoor environmental factors associated with ODAs.
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Yuan Y, Huang F, Lin F, Zhu P, Zhu P. Green space exposure on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:1783-1797. [PMID: 32951189 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01710-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the launch of the "Global Age-Friendly Cities project", increasing emphasis has been placed on the effects of green spaces on health in the elderly. The previous literature has shown that green spaces are beneficial to a range of health-related outcomes in adults. However, associations of greenness with mortality and cardiovascular outcomes are less certain, which may differ depending on the age class. This review aimed to synthesize current evidence from observational studies to assess relationships of green space exposure with mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in older individuals. METHODS Five databases were searched. Qualitative evaluation and meta-analyses of included studies were conducted. This review is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020160366. RESULTS Of the 8,143 records identified, we finally included 22 studies. In a narrative systematic review, we observed that the majority of studies showed reductions in the risk of all-cause mortality and total cardiovascular disease. Further meta-analyses which included eight cohort studies, indicated that greater greenness exposure (per 0.1 unit increase of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)) was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality (pooled hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99 (0.97, 1.00)) and stroke mortality (pooled HR (95% CI) = 0.77 (0.59, 1.00)) in older individuals. CONCLUSIONS This review supports increasing green space exposure in terms of the prevention of death and cardiovascular outcomes in older individuals. Effective measures to increase or preserve greenspaces should therefore be considered as important public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Yuan
- The Shengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Institute of Clinical Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Feng Huang
- The Shengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Institute of Clinical Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fan Lin
- The Shengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Institute of Clinical Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Pengyi Zhu
- School of Economics, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Pengli Zhu
- The Shengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
- Fujian Provincial Institute of Clinical Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China.
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