City know-how: Different types of greenspace and the mental health of young people

City know-how

Neighbourhood greenspace and mental health in young people living in London: Does the type of greenspace matter? These findings are inconclusive but suggest that some spaces could be more ‘beneficial’ than others.

For the attention of:

Policymakers for city and town planning and development, urban planners, urban designers, public health practitioners.

The problem

The evidence suggests that there is a link between greenspace and health. However, most studies to date use a generic measure of greenspace quantity or greenness, not distinguishing between different types of greenspace or vegetation. To be able to inform policy and planning, ‘what works best’ and for whom needs to be understood.

What was done and why

To add more nuance to their understanding, researchers investigated the role of different types of greenspace in the mental health and well-being of youth living in London. They distinguished between ‘any green land cover’, ‘parks and gardens’, ‘natural and semi-natural urban greenspaces’, and ‘outdoor sports facilities’, and calculated proportions in 500m around adolescents’ postcodes. They then linked these exposures to mental health and well-being outcomes in 10- to 15-year-old adolescents.

What this study adds

This study adds to an evolving stream in the literature, not only assessing the role of mere quantity of (any) greenspace but distinguishing between different types of greenspace. In this study, findings were inconclusive, however, interesting patterns were identified. For example, parks and gardens and outdoor sports facilities seemed to be more ‘beneficial’ than natural and semi-natural urban greenspaces. Overall, however, no clear conclusions can be drawn, and further studies are needed to shed light on the nuances of associations.

What this means for city policy and practice

This study is only one contribution to an evolving stream in the literature. More studies are needed to shed light on the nuances of the associations of greenspace with health in general, and with mental health in adolescents in particular. It is important to remember that there are many types of greenspace and many different demographics. Ideally, at some point, there will be a better idea of ‘what works for whom’ to make more informed policy and planning decisions

Read the paper

‘Types of greenspace and adolescent mental health and well-being in metropolitan London‘ by Marie Mueller, Emily Midouhas and Eirini Flouri.

About City Know-how

Bristol Health Partners’ SHINE Health Integration Team (HIT) is a network partner for the Cities & Health journal, published by Routledge.

SHINE HIT, which supports healthy and inclusive neighbourhoods for people, publishes regular, bite-sized ‘City Know-How’ updates to help translate research knowledge into policy and practice. Find out more about the City Know-How series.