Green space accessibility helps buffer declined mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from big data in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Given accumulating evidence that highlights the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on public mental health, we examine green space accessibility as a potential mitigator. Based on mobility data from 2 million mobile phone users within London between January 2019 and December 2020, we found that, after the COVID-19 outbreak and during lockdowns, residential neighbourhoods within 800 m of the nearest green space had a higher proportion of green-space travellers (0.9-1.4 percentage points) compared with other neighbourhoods. Next, using multiwave data with a matched sample of 4,998 individuals across towns and cities in the United Kingdom, we demonstrate that individuals who lived close to green spaces experienced much less mental distress than those who lived farther away during lockdown periods. We imply that enhancing green space accessibility for residential neighbourhoods can help citizens become more resilient to future pandemics with mobility restrictions.

Exploring park visitation trends during the Covid-19 pandemic in Hungary by using mobile device location data

“…During the Covid-19 pandemic, when governments significantly restricted people’s movement, the value of locally available urban green spaces dramatically increased. For example, a line of studies has demonstrated the positive impacts of urban green spaces on visitors’ physical and mental health and well-being compared to those who did not visit such amenities 35 – 37 . However, it is well-documented that park visitation trends changed significantly in subsequent phases of the Covid-19 pandemic.…”

“…After lifting restrictions and launching nationwide mass vaccination programs, park visitation has gradually recovered to the pre-pandemic level 20 . To study changes and fluctuations in park visitation trends, researchers worldwide tended to apply new methods, including analyzing mobile device location data 22 , 23 , 37 , 41 – 43 .…”

Revisiting Spatial Justice and Urban Parks in the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Literature Review

“…However, this surge in utilisation revealed discernible inequities, particularly concerning access between white and non-white populations and affluent and low-income neighbourhoods, as elucidated by Jay et al ( 2022) [69]. The bulk of these studies predominantly centred on the United States [18,23,70], the United Kingdom [65], and some European countries such as Germany and France [34]. Nevertheless, disparate access to urban parks during the pandemic was also observed in numerous other countries worldwide [12,27,71].…”

“…One study by Geng et al (2021) found that park visitation rates have increased up to 50% in various European and Asian countries such as Italy, Spain, Sweden, Japan, and South Korea. Moreover, England and Canada have experienced a more substantial increase of up to 100% [27,65]. The Google Mobility Report for 2020 supports this trend, showing a 20.2% increase in park visits during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic baseline period [66].…”

“…For example, Dushkova et al (2021) reported demands for more street greening, natural bushland, and pocket parks among Perth residents in Western Australia [21]. As governments began to lift restrictions on urban parks, the number of visitors gradually increased once more [28,65]. Moore & Hopkins (2021) ascertain that "urban parks were closed and then often overwhelmed on reopening, and that managers faced novel and sometimes unmanageable situations" to comply with safety guidelines [27].…”