Urbane Grünräume und Gewässer – Ressourcen einer integrierten, gesundheitsförderlichen Stadtentwicklung der Zukunft?!

Availability of open data for spatial public health research

“…The physical environment has a major impact on health, particularly on a small-scale level. This refers to the mental, physical and social components [ 48 ]. The land use mix, i.e.…”

Socioeconomic Differences in Walking Time of Children and Adolescents to Public Green Spaces in Urban Areas—Results of the German Environmental Survey (2014–2017)

“…In Germany, there are also currently no standard indicators, but some orientation values exist. A quick and direct reachability with an orientation value of a five minute walk approximately has emerged as a criterion on how urban green spaces should be designed [ 5 ]. The Federal Institute of Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development recommends an accessibility to nearby urban green spaces (≥1 ha) at a distance of 300 m (≈500 m on foot) and an accessibility to larger urban green spaces (≥10 ha) at a distance of 700 m (≈1000 m on foot).…”

“…Urban green spaces—as part of the concept of environmental health [ 4 ]—play an important role in this context. They provide areas for physical activities, stress reduction, relaxation, and social interaction, and hence offer a high potential for beneficial effects on health and well-being, for both adults and children [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Empirical evidence on the effects of urban green spaces on children’s health shows that they are positively associated with physical activity [ 9 , 10 ], reduced obesity [ 11 ], intellectual and behavioural development [ 12 ] and a lower risk of a wide range of mental disorders later in life [ 13 ].…”

“…Additional beneficial health effects of urban green spaces are discussed in the context of ecological and climate regulation. Urban green spaces can substantially reduce noise and air pollution [ 5 , 18 , 19 ]. Moreover, they can have a cooling effect on the neighbouring development and contribute to a significant lowering of the urban heat island effect by providing shade, fresh air lanes and reducing the temperature on hot days [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Moreover, they can have a cooling effect on the neighbouring development and contribute to a significant lowering of the urban heat island effect by providing shade, fresh air lanes and reducing the temperature on hot days [ 20 , 21 ]. With the development of an increasing number of hot days and tropical nights as a result of climate change, easily reachable urban green spaces become more important, especially for vulnerable population groups such as children; they provide opportunities to escape from the heat [ 5 ].…”