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Urban green spaces are vital for older people's health. However, most studies have only focused on their relationship with single-dimensional health outcomes. This study introduced a theoretical model to explore how perceptions of green spaces influence older people's multidimensional health, mediated by the use of these spaces. Using a literature review, interviews, and surveys, we developed and refined a measurement scale for older people's perceptions of urban greenery. Using data from 513 seniors in Fuzhou's urban parks, structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between their multidimensional health, usage, and perceptions of green spaces. The results showed that older people's positive evaluations of green spaces, especially those with facilities, significantly increased their usage. This increased usage positively influences their physical, mental, and social health, with the most pronounced benefits for social health. The total impact of green space perception on multidimensional health was beneficial and significantly impacted social health, even though the direct impacts of quality perception on physical health and facility perception on social health were minimal. These findings enhance our understanding of the impact of green spaces on the health of older individuals and provide a theoretical basis for developing urban green spaces that maximize health advantages for older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green spaces are vital for older people’s health. However, most studies have only focused on their relationship with single-dimensional health outcomes. This study introduced a theoretical model to explore how perceptions of green spaces influence older people’s multidimensional health, mediated by the use of these spaces. Using a literature review, interviews, and surveys, we developed and refined a measurement scale for older people’s perceptions of urban greenery. Using data from 513 seniors in Fuzhou’s urban parks, structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between their multidimensional health, usage, and perceptions of green spaces. The results showed that older people’s positive evaluations of green spaces, especially those with facilities, significantly increased their usage. This increased usage positively influences their physical, mental, and social health, with the most pronounced benefits for social health. The total impact of green space perception on multidimensional health was beneficial and significantly impacted social health, even though the direct impacts of quality perception on physical health and facility perception on social health were minimal. These findings enhance our understanding of the impact of green spaces on the health of older individuals and provide a theoretical basis for developing urban green spaces that maximize health advantages for older people.

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the decline in human green space use and nature-based recreation in Western countries. While some evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased recreational mobility in urban green spaces, it is unclear whether the pandemic led to nationwide changes in green space use in both densely and less densely populated neighborhoods, as well as whether social inequalities in green space use were reinforced or attenuated by the pandemic. To address these questions, we used daily nationwide aggregated mobility data from more than 2 million cell phone subscribers in 14,331 geographical grids across Norway to examine potential changes in mobility in green spaces as measured by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) during the pandemic. Additionally, we controlled for weather conditions, holiday periods, and neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics. The results from linear mixed model analyses showed a 9.4% increase in recreational visits in the greenest spaces during the pandemic. Notably, this increase was most prominent in neighborhoods of low socioeconomic status (SES) and was observed in both high- and low-population density neighborhoods, although the increase was somewhat stronger in neighborhoods with low population density. Our study findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in increasing nationwide green space use in Norway and potentially narrowing the gap of green inequalities, thus highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting green spaces as a public health resource, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

• Surveyed 2253 German residents after the 2022 summer of record-breaking heat. • High perceived availability of neighbourhood green spaces. • Majority find green spaces accessible, but few use them for heat relief. • Residents may not recognize the cooling potential of green space during heat events. • Strong support for more parks and street trees as a heat mitigation strategy. Urban green spaces are recognized as essential elements of cities. They offer multiple benefits, including mitigating the urban heat island effect and its negative impact on public health. They also present opportunities for people to interact, recreate, and connect with nature. To explore attitudes towards urban green spaces, we surveyed 2253 German adults after the hot summer of 2022 to identify their preferences, frequency of use, and perceived benefits of green spaces. We were particularly interested in their perceptions and views of urban green spaces as an adaptation measure against heat stress. Our findings reveal that most respondents have a green space within a 15-minute walk from their home, with over 80% indicating there is plenty of nearby green space that is easy to access and well-maintained. Health and well-being emerged as primary motivators for visits, with many prioritizing relaxation over physical activity or social interaction. Despite their positive attitudes toward green spaces, fewer than 20% of respondents frequented them on very warm days, suggesting that many residents may not recognize the cooling potential of green spaces during heat events. However, over 70% of respondents supported prioritizing efforts towards establishing more parks and shaded green spaces, and over 80% supported planting more trees along streets as a heat mitigation and adaptation strategy. As climate change intensifies, it is vital for planners, policymakers, and emergency managers to understand and incorporate perceptions about green spaces in the decision-making process, ensuring that they are effectively promoted and utilized as urban heat mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We examined the impact of the pandemic on nationwide recreational green space use. • We used aggregated cellphone mobility data from 14,331 geographical grids in Norway. • Mobility time series data were combined with registry data and remote sensing data. • Recreational visits to green spaces increased by 9.4% during the pandemic. • Recreational visits to green spaces in low SES neighborhoods increased by 18.1%. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the decline in human green space use and nature-based recreation in Western countries. While some evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased recreational mobility in urban green spaces, it is unclear whether the pandemic led to nationwide changes in green space use in both densely and less densely populated neighborhoods, as well as whether social inequalities in green space use were reinforced or attenuated by the pandemic. To address these questions, we used daily nationwide aggregated mobility data from more than 2 million cell phone subscribers in 14,331 geographical grids across Norway to examine potential changes in mobility in green spaces as measured by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) during the pandemic. Additionally, we controlled for weather conditions, holiday periods, and neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics. The results from linear mixed model analyses showed a 9.4% increase in recreational visits in the greenest spaces during the pandemic. Notably, this increase was most prominent in neighborhoods of low socioeconomic status (SES) and was observed in both high- and low-population density neighborhoods, although the increase was somewhat stronger in neighborhoods with low population density. Our study findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in increasing nationwide green space use in Norway and potentially narrowing the gap of green inequalities, thus highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting green spaces as a public health resource, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dearth of socio-perceptual information on urban green spaces is not only limiting for ecosystem service research, but also for effective planning and management of these spaces. Previous studies have assessed perceived CES at single urban parks or across wider spans in rural areas but citywide coverage is missing. This paper explores perceptions of cultural ecosystem services (CES) and various uses of urban green spaces in the case study city of Berlin in relation to the values people place on these CES. Results indicate spatial differentiation of CES across an urban-rural gradient whereby: (1) the density of CES perceived decreased from the inner to the outer edges of the city and (2) recreational, social and cultural heritage and identity services were concentrated more heavily in the inner-city, while perceived biodiversity and spiritual, inspirational, and nature experience and educational services exhibited a more scattered pattern. We also uncovered two distinct clusters of CES-one that is more recreation and social-based and one that is more immaterial and nature-based. CES and their associated uses demonstrated complex relationships that should be explored in further research, though the study indicates that recreation as an indicator is too coarse for assessments at this level. Further research could more pointedly elaborate the potential of such mapping for planning, design and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green space (UGS) provision across cities is often assessed from per capita quantities. However these aggregate measures say little about the actual use of UGS because they ignore the relative location of UGS and citizens. Spatial accessibility approaches consider this relative location but mostly assume that benefits happen within close proximity of residences. We challenge this assumption for three European cities comparatively, based on similarly acquired survey data. We study which factors influence how far people travel to their most used UGS, as defined by users themselves. We find that travelled distances (1.4–1.9 km) and inter-city differences are surprisingly high compared to the few hundred meters set in policy targets and accessibility analyses. We identify socio-demographic effects and a role for perceived rather than objective quality of local UGS. More than a spatial interaction trade-off between proximity and size, our results suggest that UGS visits are part of a more complex set of activities, further away from residences and with a diversity of sizes and proximities. Our results call for a re-evaluation of UGS analytical practices and provision policies beyond aggregate and accessibility perspectives, towards multi-scalar and spatially varying measures. • Distances travelled to the most used green space far exceed accessibility recommendations. • Age, occupational status, education and nationality have key effects on distances travelled. • Urban green space size and their provision in proximity seldom impact the distance travelled. • Perception of local green space provision matters more than objective measures of the provision. • Large variations across our 3 cities call for further comparative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Socio-demographic factors affect self-rated health restoration in campus green spaces. • Frequency and duration of use positively affect students' self-rated restoration. • Companionship is significant to the felt health benefits of campus green spaces. There is increasing awareness of the benefits of campus green space in promoting student's health. However, information on how campus green spaces benefit students' health is insufficient or limited to guide the planning or management process. As a result, the present study collected 897 valid responses to examine the differences in campus green space usage patterns among students with varying individual characteristics and to assess the interrelationships between students' socio-demographic characteristics, perceived naturalness, patterns of use, and self-rated restoration and health using a structural equation model. The findings indicated that there were gender disparities in the presence of companions and frequency of use of campus green space, as well as discipline differences in companion presence. Additionally, gender, age, and discipline had distinct associations with perceived naturalness, patterns of use and self-rated restoration and health. Perceived naturalness positively contribute to patterns of use and self-rated restoration and health, while the frequency of use positively contributed to self-rated restoration and health. Moreover, students' perceived health can be improved in part through the mediating effect of the self-rated restoration. The study findings demonstrated how campus green spaces benefit students' health and provided valuable information for campus green space managers and designers. Therefore, we propose that presenting diverse natural elements, manipulating them in natural forms, providing feelings of wildness or friendliness, and eatablishing vast, high-quality, and diverse green spaces to promote students' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's access to green spaces in urban areas is highly associated with their physical and psychological wellbeing. In the last two decades, children's access to urban outdoors has reduced, and concerns about children's physical health have increased. The number of overweight and obese children has considerably risen from both developing and developed countries. Turkey is a developing country, where studies about childhood obesity and its relationship with access and use to urban green spaces are limited. Therefore, this study first investigates the relationship between children's visits to urban green spaces and age, gender, proximity, quality and physical health; Second, it also investigates obesity prevalence in school children (aged six to eighteen) and identifies the relationship between physical fitness and availability of green spaces close to children's living arrangements, visits to green spaces, regular physical activity in green spaces and socioeconomic status (SES). This study includes 2668 student from 24 state schools in 4 different districts of Istanbul. In each region, two schools from each education level (primary, secondary and high school) were retrieved. Physical fitness indicators (weight and height) were measured, and children were asked to take part in questionnaires about their green space use. This study identified that children were more likely to visit green areas, if they were existed within proximity to their homes and quality of urban green spaces was an essential factor for visits. Visiting green spaces were significantly correlated with age, and younger children were more likely to visit compared to older children. A quarter of children (25.67 %) were overweight or obese. Gender [0.82; p= 0.038), and age [Age<10 was 2.06; p= 0.000 and Age 10−14 was 1.93; p = 0.000) were statistically significant variables for overweight and obesity. It was identified that odds of children who lived in gated communities, being overweight or obese were 29 % [1.29; p= 0,048] higher then children living in traditional neighbourhoods. Children visiting urban green spaces for physical activity were 29 % [0.71; p= 0.032) less likely to be under the risk of being overweight or obese. The study identified obesity prevalence is higher in younger children, which might indicate a growing number of overweight and obese children and needs monitoring in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]