Not all types of nature have an equal effect on urban residents’ well-being: A structural equation model approach

Allard-Poesi, Florence; Matos, Lorena B.S.; Massu, Justine

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102759

Cited by 25 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…We found forest outside park to have a larger effect size than forest inside park on COVID-19 mortality rates after accounting for other covariates. This finding aligns with previous studies of stronger health-promoting effect outside park areas (Reid et al, 2017; Allard-Poesi et al, 2022). The difference in forest exposure inside and outside park may explain the stronger effect of forest outside park .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Population-weighted greenspace exposure tied to lower COVID-19 mortality rates: A nationwide dose-response study in the United States

Yang

Lü

Jiang

2022

Preprint

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The COVID-19 outbreak has caused enormous deaths and profound social and economic disruption globally. Accumulating evidence suggests exposure to greenspace may reduce the risk of COVID-19 mortality. Greenspace exposure enhances immune functioning, reduces inflammation, and replenishes gut microbiota may protect against the risk of mortality among those with COVID-19. However, previous studies often fail to distinguish the health effect of different types of greenspace, explore the dose-response association and optimal buffer distance, and consider the spatial dynamics of population distribution and geographic locations of greenspace.This study examined the associations among ratio of different types of greenspaces, population- weighted exposure to different types of greenspaces, and COVID-19 mortality rates using a negative binomial generalized linear mixed effects model across 3,025 counties, adjusted for socioeconomic, demographic, pre-existing chronic disease, policy and regulation, behavioral, and environmental factors. The population-weighted measure gave proportionally greater weight to greenspace near areas of higher population density.Exposure to forest and pasture was negatively associated with COVID-19 mortality rates, while developed open space has insignificant or positive associations with mortality rates. Forest outside park has the largest effect size across all buffer distances, followed by forest inside park. The optimal exposure buffer distance is 1km for forest outside park, with 1 unit of increase in exposure associated with a 9.9% decrease in mortality rates (95% confidence interval: 6.9% -12.8%). The optimal exposure buffer distance of forest inside park is 400m, with 1 unit of increase in exposure, associated with a 4.7% decrease in mortality rates (95% confidence interval: 2.4% - 6.9%).Greenspaces, especially nearby forest, may be effective at lowering the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients. Our findings suggest that policymakers and planners should prioritize forestry within walking distance of residential clusters to mitigate mortality rates during current and future respiratory pandemics.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Population-weighted greenspace exposure tied to lower COVID-19 mortality rates: A nationwide dose-response study in the United States

Yang

Lü

Jiang

2022

Preprint

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“…As we did not find a significant difference between both conditions, our results suggest that other factors, such as visual appeal of the natural environment or specific needs for restoration, (additionally) affect how people respond to nature with human-made structures (Twedt et al, 2019; see also Allard-Poesi et al, 2022). Future studies should systematically vary quality and quantity of human-made structures in natural environments to study under which conditions human structures may hinder (or even facilitate) well-being, and thereby provide valuable information for urban and landscape planners.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

Into the wild … or not: Virtual nature experiences benefit well-being regardless of human-made structures in nature

Reese

Mehner

Nelke

et al. 2022

Front. Virtual Real.

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Immersive nature experiences increase human well-being. There is now an increasing number of studies suggesting that virtual nature experiences—e.g., within a virtual reality (VR) environment—can evoke comparable benefits. In the current study using VR, we tested whether human-made structures within nature settings hinder such effects of virtual nature experience on well-being. To do so, 67 participants were led through a VR nature surrounding that was either wild and untouched by humans, or was characterized by few inconspicuous human structures (i.e., paths, buildings, walls, bridges). Before and after the intervention, we measured subjective vitality and after the intervention, we assessed perceived restorative outcome as two indicators of well-being. Results revealed that both virtual nature experiences improved participants’ subjective vitality. Across both groups, participants reported relatively high—and similar—levels of restoration. These findings suggest that (virtual) nature experiences can be beneficial for well-being even when human-made structures interfere. Thus, irrespective of how pristine the environment is, the beneficial effects of immersive VR nature experiences provide opportunities for well-being when physical nature is inaccessible.

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“…Cleary et al [18] claim that mental health is associated with the perception of local urban green space. However, a study by Allard-Poesi et al [19] found that compared with city parks or public gardens, residents sensed that undomesticated nature was more closely linked to wellbeing, suggesting that the degree of the domestication of the nature around residents is negatively related to their wellbeing. Rasidi et al [20] surveyed urban residents' views on "how the design of urban green space affects their own social interactions" and the results indicated that the diversity of subspaces, such as vegetation density, animal populations, undulating topography, and water bodies, was a key factor for residents' social interaction behavior.…”

Section: Literature Review 21 Urban Residents and Nature Connectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Urban Residents Perceive Nature Education: A Survey from Eight Metropolises in China

et al. 2022

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“Nature education” has become a striking trend in the field of environmental and sustainable development education in mainland China in recent years, which is considered to be a powerful force to realize the 11th goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, namely, “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. Chinese urban residents’ perceptions of “nature education” are fundamental to the success of “nature education” but we still know very little about it. This study aims to gather insights on the awareness, attitudes, and behaviors towards nature and nature education. In this paper, online questionnaires and random sampling methods were used. An online questionnaire survey was conducted among urban residents in eight representative cities in China, namely, Beijing (n = 313), Shanghai (n = 314), Guangzhou (n = 307), Shenzhen (n = 308), Chengdu (n = 206), Xiamen (n = 207), Hangzhou (n = 203), and Wuhan (n = 206). This study implied that Chinese urban residents are willing to accept nature education. There is a strong sense among the Chinese public in cities that living in harmony with nature, improving wellbeing through healthy and sustainable actions, and enjoying and protecting nature are desirable actions. However, respondents were slightly less likely to consider the emotional benefits and the development of social and functional (technical) skills as important elements of participating in nature education. The results also confirm that Chinese urban residents’ perceptions of nature education can be positively predicted by the individual’s relationship with nature and the individual’s experience related to nature education. These are important key messages for nature education organizations to communicate. The results of the study put forward some questions worthy of in-depth consideration for the development of China’s nature education, which can provide a foundation and direction for the further development of nature education in China.

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Not all types of nature have an equal effect on urban residents’ well-being: A structural equation model approach

Cited by 25 publications

References 62 publications

Population-weighted greenspace exposure tied to lower COVID-19 mortality rates: A nationwide dose-response study in the United States

Population-weighted greenspace exposure tied to lower COVID-19 mortality rates: A nationwide dose-response study in the United States

Into the wild … or not: Virtual nature experiences benefit well-being regardless of human-made structures in nature

How Urban Residents Perceive Nature Education: A Survey from Eight Metropolises in China

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