Urban green spaces and health. A review of evidence.

Urban green spaces and health. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2016.

Key points from the document below, reinforce the positive effects of urban green space:

“…there are many public health benefits through diverse pathways, such as psychological relaxation and stress reduction, enhanced physical activity, and mitigation of exposure to air pollution, excessive heat, and noise…”
The evidence shows that urban green space has health benefits, particularly for economically deprived communities, children, pregnant women and senior citizens.
“…The available evidence suggests that there is also a need for small, local green spaces very close to where people live and spend their day, as well as large green spaces, offering formal provisions such as playing fields, and opportunities to experience contact with nature and relative solitude.”
“A city of well‐connected, attractive green spaces that offer safe opportunities for urban residents for active mobility and sports as well as for stress recovery, recreation and social contact, is likely to be more resilient to extreme environmental events…. Such a city is also likely to have healthier citizens, reducing demands on health services and contributing to a stronger economy.”