Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective

Bratman, Gregory N.; Anderson, Christopher B.; Berman, Marc G.; Cochran, B.J.; Vries, S. de; Flanders, Jon; Folke, Carl; Frumkin, Howard; Gross, James J.; Hartig, Terry; Kahn, Peter H.; Kuo, Ming; Lawler, Joshua J.; Levin, Phillip S.; Lindahl, Therese; Meyer‐Lindenberg, Andreas; Mitchell, Richard; Ouyang, Zhiyun; Roe, Jenny; Scarlett, Lynn; Smith, Jeffrey R.; Bosch, Matilda van den; Wheeler, Benedict W.; White, Mathew P.; Zheng, Hua; Daily, Gretchen C.

doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax0903

Cited by 1,225 publications

(933 citation statements)

References 248 publications

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“…Good public spaces support desirable behaviors and inappropriate public spaces provide the opportunity for increases in criminal behavior, which can be economically costly to society [11,98]. Additionally, safe, accessible green spaces enhance physiological and psychological human health and well-being [99][100][101]. 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.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Green Space on Violent Crime in Urban Environments: An Evidence Synthesis

Shepley

Sachs

Sadatsafavi

et al. 2019

IJERPH

118

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Green Space on Violent Crime in Urban Environments: An Evidence Synthesis

Shepley

Sachs

Sadatsafavi

et al. 2019

IJERPH

118

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Theory-led investigations of virtual nature may be useful for advancing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying benefits to health from nature contact. A multiplicity of possible mechanisms have been proposed, but the majority of these assume direct rather than indirect (e.g., virtual) nature contact [4,21,52]. A recent review has attempted to explain the benefits and risks of human-nature interactions by accounting for dose-response relations, exposure (referring to the amount of contact that an individual or population has with nature), experience (includes interaction and dose), and natural features [4].…”

Section: Theory-based Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A multiplicity of possible mechanisms have been proposed, but the majority of these assume direct rather than indirect (e.g., virtual) nature contact [4,21,52]. A recent review has attempted to explain the benefits and risks of human-nature interactions by accounting for dose-response relations, exposure (referring to the amount of contact that an individual or population has with nature), experience (includes interaction and dose), and natural features [4]. More generally, contemporary conceptual frameworks [4,42] can help generate additional testable hypotheses beyond the traditional approaches of the Stress-Reduction Theory [93] and Attention-Restoration Theory [94].…”

Section: Theory-based Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the positive effects associated with nature interactions, accumulating evidence suggests that opportunities for nature experiences are decreasing globally [4]. According to the United Nations (UN), more than 55% of the world's population is currently living in urban environments, and the number is expected to increase to 68% by 2050 [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enable, Reconnect and Augment: A New ERA of Virtual Nature Research and Application

Litleskare

MacIntyre

Calogiuri

2020

IJERPH

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Being exposed to natural environments is associated with improved health and well-being, as these environments are believed to promote feelings of "being away" from everyday struggles, positive emotional reactions and stress reduction. Despite these positive effects, humanity is becoming increasingly more distanced from nature due to societal changes, such as increased urbanization and the reduced accessibility of natural environments. Technology is also partly to blame, as research suggests that people replace nature contact with increased screen time. In this cross-section between nature and technology, we find technological nature which is progressing towards a point where we may be capable of simulating exposure to real nature. Concerns have been raised regarding this technology, as it is feared it will replace real nature. However, research suggests that virtual nature may have a more positive impact on society than a mere replacement of real nature, and this review propose several areas where virtual nature may be a beneficial addition to actual nature (Enable), help people reconnect with the real natural world (Reconnect) and "boost" human-nature interactions (Augment). Based on the current research and theoretical framework, this review proposes guidelines for future research within these areas, with the aim of advancing the field by producing high quality research.

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“…This indicates that very little of the open space is used as shaded pathways, alleyways, or walkways with trees and green spaces. Studies indicate that such spaces enhance the levels of neighborhood satisfaction are and hence critical for its residents to be active in their community [50].…”

Section: Connectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Neighborhood Satisfaction and Social Capital in a Multi-Cultural Setting of an Abu Dhabi Neighborhood

2020

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Behavioral research studies propose that urban open spaces contribute to enhance sociability in urban areas. The urban areas in the city of Abu Dhabi are less appealing to attract vibrant activity and social life. This study investigates the role of the built environment in the enhancement of neighborhood satisfaction and social capital in a residential neighborhood of Abu Dhabi. A total of 145 residents were surveyed for their perception, attitude, and behavior. Regression analyses to predict the role of the built environment of the open space, as well as the ethnicity of respondents, on measures of neighborhood satisfaction and social capital were performed. Spatial data and audit tools were used to assess the lack of suitable built-environment in the study area. Results indicate that improvements to the built environment can improve both the social capital and neighborhood satisfaction of the urban residents of Abu Dhabi. Implications of this study include recommendations to enhance the experience of urban spaces in arid regions like Abu Dhabi. Recommendations include adding landscape elements, providing a comfortable walking environment, adding attractive locations and destinations, and a clean and safe environment with attractive buildings or homes.Sustainability 2020, 12, 3200 2 of 16 neighborhood [12]. However, the perception of availability, use, and attractiveness of such spaces in the middle east, particularly in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is limited at best.Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates in the UAE federation system. The developed land of Abu Dhabi covers 972.45 km 2 of the emirate. As of 2014, the urban population was estimated to be 1.14 million, while the rural population was 493,253, and 81% of the total population was made up of expatriates (SCAD) [13]. In 2007, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) introduced the Vision Abu Dhabi 2030. One of the vision goals introduced in the charrette was to create a livable city by developing a good open space network [14]. Although the city launched many community facilities and public realm guidelines, implementation remains slow and limited. At present, there are no specific policies and regulations to improve the public spaces in the existing residential blocks. Additionally, there is very little understanding of what type of open space is preferred by the residents, and what kind of retrofit would enhance the social capital of the neighborhood. With the World Expo 2020 to be hosted in the UAE, all emirates, including Abu Dhabi, are involved in new development and redevelopment of the urban area. Outcomes from this can help recommend appropriate design and policy approaches that can improve the livability of these urban areas and improve the social sustainability of the neighborhoods.Therefore, this study examines the relationship between the built environment (walkable open spaces) and the multi-cultural setting impact neighborhood satisfaction. This study also investigates the relationship of the built e...

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Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective

Cited by 1,225 publications

References 248 publications

The Impact of Green Space on Violent Crime in Urban Environments: An Evidence Synthesis

The Impact of Green Space on Violent Crime in Urban Environments: An Evidence Synthesis

Enable, Reconnect and Augment: A New ERA of Virtual Nature Research and Application

Assessing Neighborhood Satisfaction and Social Capital in a Multi-Cultural Setting of an Abu Dhabi Neighborhood

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