Can the presence of green space in urban environments reduce the frequency of violent crime? To ascertain the evidence on this topic, we conducted an in-depth literature review using the PRISMA checklist. The search parameters included US articles written in English and published since 2000. More than 30,000 potential paper titles were identified and ultimately, 45 papers were selected for inclusion. Green spaces typically comprised tree cover, parks and ground cover. Criminal behaviors typically included murder, assault, and theft. The majority of the research reviewed involved quantitative methods (e.g., comparison of green space area to crime data). We extracted multiple mechanisms from the literature that may account for the impact of green space on crime including social interaction and recreation, community perception, biophilic stress reduction, climate modulation, and spaces expressing territorial definition. Recommendations are made for future research, such as meta-analysis of existing data and the development of grounded theory through qualitative data-gathering methods. By providing evidence that access to nature has a mitigating impact on violence in urban settings, city governments and communities are empowered to support these interventions.

Objective: The primary goal of this research was to evaluate a physical full-scale, high-fidelity mockup of a mental and behavioral health (MBH) inpatient room and bathroom. Background: There is minimal research on design for MBH and no published research using mockups to evaluate a MBH design proposal. To address this gap, an interdisciplinary team developed an ideal Patient-Centered MBH Patient Room, which was built as a mockup at a Veterans Administration (VA) facility and evaluated by patients and staff in situ. Method: The mock-up was evaluated using a structured mixed methods process that incorporates feedback using Feedback Forms and facilitated Listening Sessions. Our two primary hypotheses were that the design, as represented by the mock-up, would be positively evaluated and that there would be a difference between staff and patient perceptions, with patients rating the design higher than staff. Results: Quantitative analysis confirmed our hypotheses, revealing an overall positive response, with a difference between patients and staff. Contrary to hypothesis, staff consistently rated the design higher than patients. Qualitative analysis found mixed reception of the design and three primary themes: safety, homeyness/deinstitutionalization, and positive distraction/nature. Conclusions: Physical mock-ups may be an effective tool for evaluation of a proposed design; however, staff perceptions of the environment may differ from those of patients. One drawback of using a physical high-fidelity mock-up is the expectation that the mock-up perfectly represents the proposed design. With this project, even small unfinished details were distracting to the participants and may have negatively affected the evaluation.

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Introduction: Nature engagement (NE) provides myriad psychological and physiological benefits, many of which begin in childhood and continue into adulthood. Research suggests children who have positive experiences with nature are more likely to continue engaging with nature and have more proenvironmental attitudes (PEAs) as adults. Among the benefits of NE are reduced stress, improved sleep, and improved cognitive performance, all essential criteria for healthy undergraduate life. College students in particular, because of high levels of stress, may benefit from NE, and the frequency and type of their engagement may be impacted by childhood experience.Objective: This study aimed to better understand the potential correlation between university undergraduates' past NE in their middle childhood years (MCYs) and current NE; past NE and undergraduate PEA; and undergraduate NE and stress levels. We chose to examine the middle childhood and undergraduate years because little research has been conducted on the relationship of NE between these two age groups.Methods: We used a survey of undergraduate students (n = 309) enrolled at a US university to explore the frequency and types of NE during MCYs, their family and neighborhood demographics, and current levels of NE, PEA, and stress in their undergraduate lives.Results: Although results indicated a large decrease in NE from middle childhood to undergraduate years for most participants, we found a significant positive correlation between NE during MCYs and undergraduate NE. We found a positive correlation between MCYs NE and undergraduate PEA as well as undergraduate NE and

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