Outdoor blue spaces, human health and well-being: A systematic review of quantitative studies

Abstract

Although encouraging, there remains relatively few studies and a large degree of heterogeneity in terms of study design, exposure metrics and outcome measures, making synthesis difficult. Further research is needed using longitudinal research and natural experiments, preferably across a broader range of countries, to better understand the causal associations between blue spaces, health and wellbeing.

The role of humidity in determining scenarios of perceived temperature extremes in Europe

“…In this work we wanted to include the effect of humidity on the temperature perceived by the human body under moderate to extreme conditions, also considering the different spatial distribution of the two projected involved parameters (temperature and humidity) under future scenarios. Reliable information on the projections of such a human health related index is important to define changes in the location and size of European regions subject to dangerous conditions and to help experts systematically exploring the impact that green and blue infrastructures (Gunawardena et al 2017) can have on human health and wellbeing (Gascon et al 2017, Grellier et al 2017. To this end, high resolution regional climate simulations from the EURO-CORDEX EUR11 effort have been investigated in a multi-model and multi-scenario framework.…”

Impact of airport green atmospherics on mental health value, image, and loyalty among visitors and workers

“…The survey questionnaire included the description of the study, the questions for research variables, and the questions regarding personal characteristics. To evaluate research variables, the measures were employed from the exiting studies (Gascon et al, ; Han & Hyun, ; Hennig‐Thurau, ; Lee et al, ; Moon et al, ; Oliver, ; Pietilä et al, ; Vujcic et al, ; Xu et al, ). Multiple items and 7‐point Likert scales were used.…”

“…Green physical surroundings of a building/place are irrefutably a core aspect of NBS (Gascon et al, ; Han et al, ; Lafortezza et al, ; Liang et al, ). An airport's green atmospherics that visitors and workers are likely to perceive/feel can be green spaces/areas for resting/waiting for flights, various living plants (e.g., flowers, trees, potted plants) in cafés/restaurants/shopping places, green interior décor, surrounding natural environment (e.g., ocean, river, lake, natural park, forest), fresh air (e.g., dust free, natural scent), and comfortable weather (e.g., temperature, humidity; Han, ; Hwang & Choi, ; Moon et al, ; Moon, Yoon, & Han, ; Pietilä et al, ).…”

“…Mental health value has often been examined in the recent tourism/business literature due to its criticality in influencing customer/employee behaviors (e.g., Ariza‐Montes et al, ; Cleary, Lees, & Sayers, ; Gascon et al, ; Hwang & Lee, ; Liang et al, ; Lin & Niu, ; Su & Swanson, ). Evidence in these studies revealed that patrons/workers often perceive mental health value when they are exposed to natural environment and green spaces, and that such mental health value elicits their positive decision/behavior for the place/company.…”

“…NBS indicates human activities to preserve, manage, and recover ecosystems and the greater natural environment for efficiently alleviating societal challenges (Han & Hyun, ). NBS is especially of importance as it offers long‐lasting sustainable solutions delivering considerable health‐related benefits (e.g., well‐being, physical/mental health) to occupants in a building/place (Gascon et al, ; Lafortezza et al, ).…”