Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sanna Stalhammar, Ebba Brink
Summary: This paper explores the application of biocultural diversity in urban greenspace planning using Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as a case study. The findings emphasize the importance of interrelationships, varied group values, participation, and reflexivity in the urban BCD framework and methodology. The research challenges the traditional narrative about favelas and highlights aspects related to popular culture, fitness ideals, and citizen-building in biocultural diversity and nature connectedness.
Article
Urban Studies
Hade Dorst, Alexander van der Jagt, Hens Runhaar, Rob Raven
Summary: The limited uptake of urban Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) innovation is attributed to structural conditions keeping urban development systems locked in their current state, favoring traditional 'grey' development. A transitions studies perspective is suggested for understanding the barriers and opportunities for NBS uptake, with the importance of identifying the state and obduracy of these conditions emphasized.
Article
Geography, Physical
Leandro Ismael de Azevedo Lacerda, Jose Augusto Ribeiro da Silveira, Celso Augusto Guimaraes Santos, Richarde Marques da Silva, Alexandro Medeiros Silva, Thiago Victor Medeiros do Nascimento, Edson Leite Ribeiro, Paulo Vitor Nascimento de Freitas
Summary: This study analyzes the loss of urban forests and changes in land use in Joao Pessoa, Brazil. The use of instruments for integrated urban planning is discussed, showing significant shifts in land use with major impacts on urban areas and herbaceous vegetation, particularly in the loss of arboreal/shrub vegetation. The study highlights the potential application of the proposed framework in other parts of the world to better understand urban-related problems.
JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Aura-Luciana Istrate, Perrine Hamel
Summary: Adopting nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban planning is not common due to lack of knowledge or motivation. Game-based approaches can increase NbS adoption by educating and engaging urban stakeholders. This research develops a conceptual framework for assessing games' purpose and their representation of important concepts in NbS and urban planning. It also provides a database of 'Urban Nature Games' and maps their relevance to urban planning and NbS types.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Ipora Possantti, Guilherme Marques
Summary: This paper presents a novel method for planning the expansion of nature-based solutions in watersheds to enhance downstream urban water security. The method integrates sequential decision making, hydrology modelling, and hydroeconomics into a single modeling framework. The study demonstrates the application of this framework to the Sinos River watershed in Brazil and finds that the optimal expansion schedule of nature-based solutions is influenced by initial land use and future drivers.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Christoph Schunko, Anjoulie Brandner
Summary: The study found that many urban residents have experience with foraging wild foods, with frequency of foraging related to plant species and forms. Those who foraged more frequently had greater nature relatedness, more childhood foraging experiences, and lived on the outskirts of the city.
Article
Urban Studies
Mohammed Abdul-Rahman, Edwin H. W. Chan, Man Sing Wong, Victor E. Irekponor, Maryam O. Abdul-Rahman
Summary: Over the last decade, urban residents have generated 90% of Big Data, making Social Media a key resource for urban planners. A study proposed a framework for mining and analyzing Social Media Big Data using Twitter, demonstrating its high accuracy in studying community challenges.
Article
Urban Studies
Gervaise Debucquet, Allan Maignant, Anne-Laure Laroche, Caroline Widehem, Philippe Morel
Summary: The ongoing confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted urban citizens to reflect on their relationship with nature and develop a greater interest in bringing plants into their homes and adopting sustainable food sources. However, there is limited research on the connection between food behaviors and plant-care activities. To address this gap, a national survey was conducted in France among young urban citizens, revealing their commitment to "edible" cities but low rates of plant purchasers. The study highlights the prevalence of aesthetic/hedonistic expectations for plants in private housing and varying perceptions of plant maintenance tasks and social issues surrounding plants.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Timothy J. Mateer
Summary: Outdoor leisure experiences are an understudied yet effective way to promote connectedness to nature for urban park visitors. Compared to outdoor recreation, outdoor leisure emphasizes eudaimonic sentiments and intrinsic motivation. Awe and solitude, two specific social psychological constructs, are argued to be especially useful in promoting leisure experiences in urban outdoor spaces. The utilization of the recreation opportunity spectrum framework and co-creative processes may provide effective paths for supporting urban park environments conducive to awe, solitude, and leisure.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Megan Maurer, Lisa Zaval, Benjamin Orlove, Valeria Moraga, Patricia Culligan
Summary: This study explores the impact of urban greenspace elements on users' subjective wellbeing, finding that trees are the most important natural element in urban greenspace and play a significant role in users' feelings of wellbeing and connectedness to nature.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryan J. Keith, Lisa M. Given, John M. Martin, Dieter F. Hochuli
Summary: Research suggests that younger children and adolescents living in cities tend to have stronger connections with nature, with 8-11-year-olds showing more connection compared to older peers. Environmental behaviors tend to decrease as age increases. Differences between boys and girls in nature connections and pro-environmental behaviors are inconsistent, but girls are more willing to volunteer for conservation efforts.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yu Liu, Nora Fagerholm, Hans Skov-Petersen, Thomas Beery, Anne Margrethe Wagner, Anton Stahl Olafsson
Summary: Explored the relationship between nature experiences, active mobility, and well-being. Found that frequent trips through green spaces in Copenhagen are related to higher levels of nature connectedness and provide incidental nature experiences.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Sorensen, A. S. Persson, J. Alkan Olsson
Summary: This study examines the gap between data availability and implementation of BGI in urban planning authorities in Sweden, identifying challenges related to data availability, data management, and GIS knowledge. Improvements in data management organization and trans-disciplinary cooperation are necessary to understand and interpret different types of data for efficient planning of BGI. Developing pan-municipal data management systems to bridge sectors and disciplines is essential to ensure efficient management of the urban environment.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Mika Koivisto, Simone Grassini
Summary: The study found that humans may have an innate tendency to respond with positive emotions to nature, while individual factors have a greater influence on the affective responses to urban scenes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Urban Studies
Luca Battisti, Giovanni Giacco, Massimiliano Moraca, Giacomo Pettenati, Egidio Dansero, Federica Larcher
Summary: This study aims to identify the neighborhoods in the city where Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be implemented to maximize their social impact. The authors used the 3-30-300 rule and proposed an index to identify neighborhoods for prioritized NbS implementation. The results highlight 10 neighborhoods in the city with a high need for NbS implementation.
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Yasuhiro Kotera, Miles Richardson, David Sheffield
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the mental health impacts of shinrin-yoku, finding that it can be effective in reducing mental health symptoms in the short term, particularly anxiety. However, more rigorous research and follow-up assessments are needed to verify these results and further investigate the practices of shinrin-yoku.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kirsten McEwan, David Giles, Fiona J. Clarke, Yasu Kotera, Gary Evans, Olga Terebenina, Lina Minou, Claire Teeling, Jaskaran Basran, Wendy Wood, Dominic Weil
Summary: Forest Bathing, a practice that uses mindfulness to engage with nature, has been shown to increase heart rate variability and improve wellbeing. A study comparing Forest Bathing with an established wellbeing intervention found no significant differences between the two, suggesting that Forest Bathing is a feasible social prescription to improve wellbeing. Further research is needed to assess the effects of Forest Bathing in clinical populations in fully powered randomized controlled trials.
Editorial Material
Construction & Building Technology
Miles Richardson, Carly W. Butler
Summary: Biophilic design involves creating built environments that promote human connection with nature, emphasizing the importance of repeated engagement with nature, emotional attachment to natural settings, and interactions between people and nature. These principles support well-being by fostering relationships and responsibility towards human and natural communities.
BUILDING RESEARCH AND INFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Paul D. Barrows, Miles Richardson, Iain Hamlin, William Van Gordon
Summary: This study investigated factors related to pro-nature conservation behavior and found that nature connectedness and nonattachment are significant predictors. These findings are important for understanding the psychological mechanisms behind individuals' engagement in nature conservation and suggest potential strategies for promoting nature's recovery.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Miles Richardson, Iain Hamlin, Carly W. Butler, Rory Thomas, Alex Hunt
Summary: The climate and biodiversity crises highlight the failure in human-nature relationship. Research suggests that increasing levels of nature connectedness can benefit both people and the environment. Engaging in activities involving active sensory interaction with wildlife can improve nature connectedness.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Miles Richardson, Iain Hamlin, Lewis R. Elliott, Mathew P. White
Summary: Climate change and biodiversity loss reveal the failure of the human-nature relationship. Nature connectedness is a crucial factor in assessing pro-environmental behaviors and mental well-being. The analysis explores the association between consumption, technology, affluence, and the human-nature relationship, emphasizing the importance of nature connectedness for human and nature's well-being.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Cumming, Fiona J. Clarke, Mark J. G. Holland, Benjamin J. Parry, Mary L. Quinton, Sam J. Cooley
Summary: My Strengths Training for Life (TM) (MST4Life (TM)) is a positive youth development program aimed at improving well-being and social inclusion in homeless young people. The study found that the program was feasible and acceptable, with young people enjoying and considering it necessary. Both the community-based and outdoor adventure residential phases were successfully implemented as planned.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Caroline Harvey, David Sheffield, Miles Richardson, Rachel Wells
Summary: This research examines the relationships between nature connectedness, pro-nature conservation behavior, life satisfaction, and mindfulness in children aged 9-11 years. It also assesses the impact of a three good things in nature writing intervention. The results show that both the nature writing and control groups experienced increases in nature connectedness, mindfulness, and life satisfaction. However, only the nature writing group showed significant increases in pro-conservation behavior over time.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kirsten McEwan, Harriet Collett, Jean Nairn, Jamie Bird, Mark A. Faghy, Eric Pfeifer, Jessica E. Jackson, Caroline Cook, Amanda Bond
Summary: This pilot study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of online forest bathing in adults with Long-COVID. The results showed that online forest bathing significantly improved well-being and symptom severity in these patients, suggesting it can be considered as an accessible and inexpensive adjunct therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria E. White, Iain Hamlin, Carly W. Butler, Miles Richardson
Summary: Feeding garden birds is a popular way to connect with wildlife in urban environments in the UK. A study investigated the impact of a brief birdwatching activity on wellbeing, anxiety, and nature connection. Participants who rated their feelings of joy had the greatest decrease in anxiety, suggesting that activating a sense of joy enhances the psychological benefits of watching garden birds.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael J. O. Pocock, Iain Hamlin, Jennifer Christelow, Holli-Anne Passmore, Miles Richardson
Summary: The current biodiversity crisis and rising concern about people's well-being and mental health require us to understand the benefits of activities supporting people's engagement with nature. The study conducted a 1-week randomized controlled experiment to test the impact of nature-focussed activities on people's connectedness to nature and well-being. The results showed that citizen science and nature noticing activities had significant positive effects on nature connectedness, happiness, sense of worthwhile life, and satisfaction with life. The findings highlight the potential of citizen science to enhance people's engagement with nature and promote pro-nature conservation behaviors.
Review
Engineering, Industrial
Miles Richardson, Andrew Thatcher
Summary: Environmental institutions have recognized the importance of the human-nature relationship for a sustainable future, which requires changes in both systems and human behaviors. Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE), as a discipline focusing on relationships, interfaces, and systems, can play a significant role in facilitating these changes. However, despite its potential, HFE has so far made limited contributions to the human-nature relationship due to its outdated paradigm. To create sustainable communities and establish a new relationship with nature, HFE needs to shift its focus from fitting tasks to humans to refitting humans to nature.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kirsten McEwan, Vanessa Potter, Yasuhiro Kotera, Jessica Eve Jackson, Sarah Greaves
Summary: This research aimed to assess the impact of an urban nature connection intervention called "ParkBathe" on adolescents' nature connection and wellbeing. The results revealed statistically significant improvements in anxiety, rumination, scepticism, nature connection, and social connection after the intervention. Participants expressed enjoying the social aspects of being part of a group and being present in the moment by noticing nature, which immediately calmed and relaxed them. This study suggests that urban forest bathing can improve nature connection and wellbeing in adolescents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
David Sheffield, Carly W. Butler, Miles Richardson
Summary: This paper investigates the impact of manipulations and field interventions on nature connectedness in adult populations and finds that the short-term effects are moderately positive and similar for immediate and sustained increases. There are no differences in effect size between different types of contact, quality, or timing of engagement.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Isabelle Leboeuf, Kirsten McEwan, Stephane Rusinek, Eva Andreotti, Pascal Antoine
Summary: This research examines the role of self-criticism in the attentional processing of emotional stimuli, namely, critical and compassionate facial expressions, and how Compassion Focused-Imagery (CFI) plays a role in broadening attention in the processing of emotional stimuli.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Xuezheng Zong, Xiaorui Tian, Xianli Wang
Summary: Climate change has caused longer fire seasons and more intense wildfires worldwide, leading to significant economic and environmental impacts. A study conducted in Southwest China evaluated the effectiveness of different fuel treatment designs in mitigating wildfire risk under varying fire severity conditions. The results showed that fuel treatments were effective in reducing risk under low and normal fire severity scenarios, but their effectiveness was limited under high fire severity conditions.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jian Peng, Xiaoyu Wang, Huining Zheng, Zihan Xu
Summary: This study developed an index system to evaluate the trade-off between grain production service and water purification service in the Dongting Lake Basin. The results showed that converting cropland with high nitrogen output into forest land can minimize this trade-off.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Francois Chiron, Romain Lorrilliere, Carmen Bessa-Gomes, Piotr Tryjanowski, Joan Casanelles-Abella, Lauri Laanisto, Ana Leal, Anskje Van Mensel, Marco Moretti, Babette Muyshondt, Ulo Niinemets, Marta Alos Orti, Pedro Pinho, Roeland Samson, Nicolas Deguines
Summary: In cities, green areas play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, and the heterogeneity of land cover is an important factor. The relationship between area and heterogeneity affects the richness of bird species in urban green areas, with urban avoider species benefiting from large and heterogeneous patches.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Aleksandra Lis, Karolina Zalewska, Pawel Iwankowski, Katarzyna Betkier, Paulina Bilska, Viktoriia Dudar, Aleksandra L. Lagiewka
Summary: Appleton's prospect-refuge theory suggests that the presence of dense vegetation, topography, and people in a park can influence the safety and privacy felt by visitors in different ways. This study aimed to understand the relationship between observation point height, vegetation location, presence of other people, and perceived privacy and safety. The results showed that flat or lower ground without the presence of others was considered the safest, while landscapes higher up with dense vegetation and no other people were rated highest in terms of privacy. The findings have practical implications in terms of providing privacy without compromising safety.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jianting Zhao, Guibo Sun, Chris Webster
Summary: This study developed a geospatial database to document the locations and urban environments of pandemic-induced street experiments on a global scale, and conducted quantitative analysis based on spatial and temporal visualizations. The study aims to enhance comparability of built environment indicators between cities and provide a robust foundation for future research on tactical urbanism.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Huaqing Wang, Louis G. Tassinary
Summary: This study investigated the influence of urban greenspace spatial morphology on non-communicable diseases and found that neighborhoods with more connected, aggregated, coherent, and complex-shaped greenspace had a lower prevalence of these diseases. Such associations were mediated by air pollution and physical inactivity. The results suggest that the spatial morphology of designed urban greenspace plays a significant role in neighborhood health.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Chiwei Xiao, Yi Wang, Mingyan Yan, Jeffrey Chiwuikem Chiaka
Summary: Regional integration initiatives, such as cross-border transportation corridors, have significant impacts on land use changes and landscape patterns. This study examines the China-Laos Railway as a case study to evaluate the extent and significance of these impacts. Using land-use data and geospatial analysis, the study quantifies and compares the effects of the railway on land use changes within a buffer zone along the corridor.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Review
Ecology
Astrid Zabel, Mara-Magdalena Hausler
Summary: Developing a green infrastructure is an important environmental policy goal in many countries around the world. Different countries have different requirements on the spatial allocation of conservation sites for green infrastructure. Price-type and procedural instruments are commonly used, but the utilization of incentive mechanisms that internalize the benefit of clustering is relatively low. There is a need for more studies on incentive mechanisms and green infrastructure policies in the global South.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Timothy Fraser, Olivia Feeley, Andres Ridge, Ava Cervini, Vincent Rago, Kelly Gilmore, Gianna Worthington, Ilana Berliavsky
Summary: This study examines the inequality of social infrastructure in Boston, finding significant racial and income disparities in access. These disparities have implications for the health and resilience of neighborhoods.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Yutian Lu, Running Chen, Bin Chen, Jiayu Wu
Summary: The inequitable distribution of urban green spaces has become a significant concern, with variations found between cities in different development stages, and socioeconomic factors playing a crucial role in the spatial equity of urban green spaces.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Di Chen, Jie Yin, Chia-Pin Yu, Shengjing Sun, Charlotte Gabel, John D. Spengler
Summary: Observational and experimental studies have shown that exposure to greenness is beneficial for long-term health and well-being. However, more evidence is needed regarding the short-term health impacts of nearby nature in urban areas. This study used immersive virtual reality technology to investigate how transitions between built and natural environments affect urban residents. Results showed that transitioning from built to natural environments led to reductions in negative mood and transient anxiety, while transitions from natural to built environments had the opposite effect. Additionally, participants showed more emotional responses to nature through physiological measures. The study also highlighted the influence of contextual factors, such as physical health conditions, stress levels, experience with nature, and growth environments, on stress recovery. Overall, this study provides empirical evidence supporting the promotion of nearby nature in urban built environments.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Daniele Codato, Francesca Peroni, Massimo De Marchi
Summary: This study examines climate justice in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR), highlighting the multiple injustices caused by oil extraction activities. Using spatial analysis, the study shows that the EAR has been a major producer of oil since 1972, leading to environmental impacts such as oil spills and pollution. The results emphasize the need to include these territories in climate justice discussions and promote the rights to a non-toxic environment.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jingli Yan, Wendy Y. Chen, Zixiao Zhang, Wenxing Zhao, Min Liu, Shan Yin
Summary: Vegetation barriers are an effective strategy in urban planning to mitigate traffic-induced air pollution and reduce exposure. This study uses field measurements and numerical modeling to show that constructing vegetation barriers with short bushes can effectively reduce PM2.5 pollution in open-road environments, while higher coverage of tall bushes may worsen the pollution.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2024)
