Sari Kovats, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine & Dan Osborn, University College London
The management of urban built environments for multiple benefits as diverse as public health, economic growth and climate change adaptation, creates significant challenges for both evidence and policy. This session will present research that aims to understand the relationships and trade-offs between urban greenspace, and mental health, physical activity and other health-related outcomes such as wellbeing.
Decision-makers need a better understanding of the benefits and risks of managing, developing and preserving urban green space in a complex policy environment. We will present research on green infrastructure relevant to planning, human health and wellbeing, with respect to social capital, public health endpoints (e.g. obesity, physical activity and mental health), air quality, control of climate hazards (flooding, heatwaves), the economy and engaging young people and other groups in society (such as harder to reach or less often heard ones) with the natural environment.
The research has been undertaken through NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, a collaboration between Public Health England and academic partners including the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the University of Exeter, and in association with the Green open Spaces for Health project, a collaboration between the Sussex Community Development Association, the University of Sussex and UCL (sponsored by the South Downs National park Authority and East Sussex County Council)
Speakers:
Introduction by Sari Kovats and Dan Osborn
- Dr Peninah Murage, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- Dr Ian Alcock, European Centre for Environment and Human Health
- Dr Sian De Bell, European Centre for Environment and Human Health
- Dan Osborn, University College London
This session is scheduled for Day 2, 22 May 2019, 10.30am-12pm.