September 13, 2021 5:05 am
Published by Steve Dana
Most of us know that spending time in nature can provide a sense of peace and groundedness. But when you delve into the research, it’s easy to see that access to it can in fact be a major boon to physical, emotional, and mental well-being alike. This is especially true in urban and suburban settings. Because there, the environment can sometimes be overwhelmingly developed. A study conducted by Denmark’s University of Aarhus that ran from 1985 to 2013 found that in the context of childhood, “Exposure to green space is comparable to family history and parental age when predicting mental health outcomes. Only socioeconomic status was a slightly stronger indicator.” And of course, that ties together with physical and emotional health outcomes. It’s clear, when opportunities to commune with nature are intentionally provided, the people who live and work in those areas thrive. Let’s talk about why! Here are a few of the health benefits of green spaces … #1 Green Spaces Benefit Moods and Attitudes According to an article published by the National Recreation and Park Association, “investigators have found evidence of lower frustration and increased brain activity, resembling meditation, when moving in green space versus being in retail […]
August 10, 2021 1:40 pm
Published by Steve Dana
Last month we talked about the social benefits of green spaces. This month, we’re back for another installment in the series: The Environmental Benefits of Green Spaces! It might seem obvious that Mother Nature likes green spaces, but just how do they make a tangible difference in supporting our natural environment? Let’s explore that! #1 Green Spaces Reduce Flooding While it might seem like rainwater should hit the ground and be worked back into the ecosystem, this isn’t always a good thing in our modern world. When rainwater flows off of streets, it takes nitrates, petroleum products, and debris with it. This can then end up in bays, estuaries, and other bodies of water where it shouldn’t be. But have no fear, green spaces are here! Because they encourage the planting of more trees, green spaces play a key role in reducing the volume of pollutants that make their way into our bodies of water. You see, trees capture that water before it hits the ground. And of course, this is a win-win for all! The trees are absorbing fresh water that hasn’t collected any pollutants yet, and they’re helping out their nearby watery areas, too. #2 Advantages Of Green […]
July 9, 2021 4:52 pm
Published by Steve Dana
Last month, we discussed the overall importance of incorporating green spaces into your landscape architecture. This month, we’re diving even deeper into the topic, to talk about the social benefits of green spaces! Keep reading to learn about three major ways green spaces contribute to healthy community connection. #1 Green Spaces Invite Us to Gather Our technological world increasingly encourages us to disconnect from nature and one another. Beautiful green spaces do the opposite! They welcome neighbors to share in a spring picnic, parents to engage in nature learning with their children, and fitness seekers to walk or jog amongst the trees with a friend. Humans are meant to connect face to face, and when we do so, we see the positive outcomes in our communities. According to an article by Build Healthy Places Network, “An increasing body of evidence shows that the time people spend in urban green spaces promotes human connection, thereby enriching how we perceive the value of these spaces and each other.” And when we value something, we take better care of it. So you see, having an easy and inviting place to meet up with friends, coworkers, and neighbors doesn’t just accommodate our own social […]
June 9, 2021 4:58 pm
Published by Steve Dana
The dictionary defines green space as “community space consisting of land (such as parks) rather than buildings.” But, outside of textbook definitions, green space can mean many different things in many contexts and to many different people. A green space can be a place of respite in the midst of a busy string of errands; it can be a charming spot where meet cutes occur; it can be childhood memories of days spent running, playing, laughing. For those reasons and many more, green spaces are important. Let’s talk about that! Green Spaces Provide Social, Environmental, and Health Benefits Yes, green spaces offer them all! In fact, the positive impacts they bring to a community socially, environmentally, and healthfully are so numerous that we’ve got a dedicated post planned for each category. For now though, here are some insightful factoids to remember: More social activities are observed in common spaces that have trees compared to treeless spaces of the same size. Older adults who have more exposure to green common spaces report a stronger sense of unity among residents within their neighborhood. Social relationships have been shown to affect mental health, health behavior, physical health, and mortality risk. Urban vegetation […]
February 10, 2021 11:30 am
Published by Steve Dana
Building a people-friendly streetscape can attract more people to an area, make it safer and improve its value. Here are some factors to consider: