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Association between Urban Greenspace and Health: A Systematic Review of Literature

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  • Vincenza Gianfredi

    (School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Maddalena Buffoli

    (Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Department, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Andrea Rebecchi

    (Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Department, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Roberto Croci

    (School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Aurea Oradini-Alacreu

    (School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Stirparo

    (School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Alessio Marino

    (School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy)

  • Anna Odone

    (Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 20158 Milan, Italy)

  • Stefano Capolongo

    (Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Department, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Carlo Signorelli

    (School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

The current review aimed to explore the association between urban greenspaces and health indicators. In particular, our aims were to analyze the association between publicly accessible urban greenspaces exposure and two selected health outcomes (objectively measured physical activity (PA) and mental health outcomes (MH)). Two electronic databases—PubMed/Medline and Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE)—were searched from 1 January 2000 to 30 September 2020. Only articles in English were considered. Out of 356 retrieved articles, a total of 34 papers were included in our review. Of those, 15 assessed the association between urban greenspace and PA and 19 dealt with MH. Almost all the included studies found a positive association between urban greenspace and both PA and MH, while a few demonstrated a non-effect or a negative effect on MH outcomes. However, only guaranteeing access is not enough. Indeed, important elements are maintenance, renovation, closeness to residential areas, planning of interactive activities, and perceived security aspects. Overall, despite some methodological limitations of the included studies, the results have shown almost univocally that urban greenspaces harbour potentially beneficial effects on physical and mental health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincenza Gianfredi & Maddalena Buffoli & Andrea Rebecchi & Roberto Croci & Aurea Oradini-Alacreu & Giuseppe Stirparo & Alessio Marino & Anna Odone & Stefano Capolongo & Carlo Signorelli, 2021. "Association between Urban Greenspace and Health: A Systematic Review of Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5137-:d:553289
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