1. Who, why, when and how do people use urban green spaces? A study of users from 18 parks in France
- Author
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N Cantorregi, J Simos, C Bader, Z Héritage, S Rican, M F Thomas, Z Vaillant, A Roué le Gall, E Faure, M Porcherie, Centre de Recherches sur l'Action Politique en Europe (ARENES), Université de Rennes (UR)-Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Rennes-École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique [EHESP] (EHESP)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique [EHESP] (EHESP), Département des sciences humaines et sociales (SHS), Laboratoire Dynamiques Sociales et Recomposition des Espaces (LADYSS), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (UP1)-Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis (UP8)-Université Paris Nanterre (UPN)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Département Santé Environnement Travail et Génie Sanitaire (DSETGS), Réseau Français des Villes Santé de l’OMS, Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset), Université d'Angers (UA)-Université de Rennes (UR)-École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique [EHESP] (EHESP)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Structure Fédérative de Recherche en Biologie et Santé de Rennes ( Biosit : Biologie - Santé - Innovation Technologique ), Laboratoire d'étude et de recherche en environnement et santé (LERES), Université de Rennes 1 (UR1), Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-Institut d'Études Politiques [IEP] - Rennes-École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique [EHESP] (EHESP)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (UP1)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis (UP8)-Université Paris Nanterre (UPN)-Université de Paris (UP), Université d'Angers (UA)-Université de Rennes 1 (UR1), and Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-Université de Rennes (UNIV-RENNES)-École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique [EHESP] (EHESP)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Structure Fédérative de Recherche en Biologie et Santé de Rennes ( Biosit : Biologie - Santé - Innovation Technologique )
- Subjects
Vision ,Population studies ,Population health ,Qualitative survey ,World health organization ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,11. Sustainability ,Rejuvenation ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Location ,Environmental hazards ,[SDV.EE.SANT]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology, environment/Health ,Equity (economics) ,business.industry ,030503 health policy & services ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Attendance ,Equity ,15. Life on land ,Public relations ,Individual level ,Social justice ,Protective factors ,Thematic map ,Geography ,Food ,Geographic area ,13. Climate action ,Knowledge acquisition ,[SDV.SPEE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Santé publique et épidémiologie ,France ,0305 other medical science ,business ,Sports - Abstract
Introduction Urban green spaces impact the individual and collective health of populations. At the city level, they act as regulators of environmental hazards and constitute collective protective factors. At the individual level, they constitute social spaces for encounters and rejuvenation. But, these functions depend on the use made of these green spaces which can be inequitable. This paper presents the results of the analysis of the use of green spaces in the 6 French cities selected in the WHO French Healthy City Network conducted as part of the GREENH-City research project. Methods Based on park profiles, a qualitative survey was conducted among users of 3 different parks in each of the 6 selected cities with both observations and semi-directive interviews. Thematic analyzes were performed. Observed activities were classified into 8 groups (supervised educational, food, activities i.e. calm, commercial, artistic and cultural, physical non-sport, sports) and related to a specific use (professional/ personal, individual/ collective, authorized/ not and conflictual/ not). The uses described by the individuals interviewed were classified into 4 categories: attendance, utility, opinions and activities. Results 186 observations and 591 recorded and unrecorded interviews with individuals or groups were conducted in the 18 parks. Overall, calm activities are dominant. However, activities and uses differ between cities and within the city depending on the nature of the parks (ancient, new..), their management, their location (more or less central, located in a deprived area or not) and people expectations. Conclusions Park uses are only partially dependent on amenities within the park. The nature of the park itself, its geographical location and its landscape characteristics seem to be decisive for the uses observed. These data are essential to inform public decision-makers and guide the creation and development of green spaces in cities in a vision of social justice. Key messages Urban green spaces can improve population health but their uses may be inequitable. Study of population use of urban green spaces may help to shape local policies towards more equity.
- Published
- 2019