Relationship between Urban Green Space and Health and Well-Being in Bristol

Research Proposal
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Green Space in Towns and Cities: Relationship between Urban Green Space and Health and Well-Being in the Neighbourhoods in Bristol
Abstract
Parks and green spaces are critical elements for any town and or city where people want to live. These parks and green spaces contribute to the renaissance of the urban areas through the regeneration and improvement in areas of economic performance, enhancing and supporting the environment’s ecology and biodiversity, enabling opportunities for lifelong healthy living, and fostering cohesion and pride from the local communities (DTLR, 2002). The realization of such noble opinions requires a renewed and powerful policy framework, management, and funding for the production of new, exciting, and diverse parks that are of high-quality and green spaces that measure up to the need and aspirations of the local communities (DTLR, 2002). These green spaces are part of the healthy, livable and economically viable, clean, and attractive towns and cities. They also bear economic interests as they make towns more attractive to new business (Timmermans, Cilliers, & Slijkhuis, 2012). Green spaces are free spaces that can be utilized by the entire population these spaces represent the perceptions, attitudes, ideas, and beliefs of the population and provide a hosting ground for different activities and platform for performing scheduled tasks. This proposal is focused on Bristol City and aims at investigating the relationship between urban green space and the health and well-being in the neighbourhoods. Therefore, it will look at the differences in provision of space, quality, and usage in different neighbourhoods of varying socioeconomic status (Timmermans, Cilliers, & Slijkhuis, 2012).
Problem Statement
One of the aspects that significantly impact the health and well-being of an individual especially in an urban area is the access to high-quality local green spaces. This need is perceived in several dimensions that include offering exercise opportunities, opportunities for participating in sports, and social interaction that result into better physical and mental health (HM Governement, 2010). There are different factors that influence the access to green spaces and one of the factors is the socioeconomic differences. Different socioeconomic group have unequal access to the green spaces. For example, a study conducted in Spain indicated an association between living close to the green spaces and birth weight or gestational age for individuals with low levels of education. Moreover, other authors indicated that individuals with greater access to green spaces were unlikely to experience health deprivations compared to those who did not. Therefore, green spaces promote good health and is influenced by the socioeconomic differences associated with the health and well-being of an individual (Kihal-Talantikite, Padilla, Lalloué, Gelormini, Zmirou-Navier, & Deguen, 2013).
The Bristol City Council has recognized the importance and impact of access to green spaces on the health and well-being of an individual (CABE Space, 2009). Therefore, this research will be conducted to investigate the inherent relationships between urban green spaces and the health and well-being of neighborhoods in the city. The research will also focus on exploring the differences that exist in green space provision, quality, and use in neighbourhoods with different socioeconomic status, as they have been associated with differences in the health and well-being of individuals. This research will pay attention to the utilization of the green spaces by residents and the recognition of the possible health benefits and the perception of residents regarding the nature and quality of the local green spaces. It will also consider the features that encourage or deter the use of green spaces that are locally available and possible measures to promote use of local green spaces and the residents’ health and well-being.
Background
In the last three years, research conducted on parks, green spaces and other open spaces has continued to flourish. Today, considerable scholarly knowledge and work on green spaces on factors such us design, use, value, environmental equity, and health impacts of the green spaces exist that are helpful in highlighting the importance of accessing these spaces (Byrne & Sipe, 2010). Urban green spaces are important contributors to development that is sustainable. Development of the spaces should take into consideration all societal factors that are economic, political, cultural, managerial, social, and planning in order to construct new or improve the already existing facilities and services within these urban spaces (Haq, 2011).
While green spaces can be defined in a number of different ways, social scientists, ecologists, and planners define urban green spaces as public and private spaces in urban areas that are covered with vegetation and are directly or indirectly available for users (Haq, 2011). Urban green space has become an indispensable element that the determine the quality of life for people living in urban areas. These green spaces are environmental and ecological assets for any city with their importance being recognized in architecture (van Leeuwen, Nijkamp, & Vaz, 2010).
In Bristol, well over 25 million visits to parks and the green spaces are made by 83% of the total Bristol’s population on a yearly basis, therefore, making it the most utilized leisure facility in Bristol. The parks and green spaces are part and parcel to the culture and life of the city. These spaces provide breathing space that is important for proper functioning of the modern community as they offer relaxing environments that are away from the stresses of the urban world (Bristol City Council, 2008). Green spaces have been considered to have positive health impact since time in memorial. In Britain, during the industrial revolution period, philanthropists that were wealthy constructed parks to benefit the health of the public and hospital gardens were valued due to their healing properties (Gladwell, Brown, Wood, Sandercock, & Barton, 2013).
According to the mayor of Bristol, the city’s green spaces are one of its greatest assets and given their health benefits, that investment in maintenance and upgrades is a high priority to promote the health of the city’s population (Ferguson, 2012). However, research indicates that different equality groups have minimal access and, therefore, less satisfied with the green spaces (Wilkinson, 2008). Evidence exists of the benefits of green spaces to the physical and mental health. This evidence indicates that populations exposed to the most green environments report the lowest levels of health inequalities that are related to income deprivation (Grant, Bird, & Marno, 2012). However, these green spaces are not equally available in the UK. For example, poor neighbourhoods have no green spaces or if they are present, they are often vandalized and individuals here are associated with poor health and well-being indicated a connection between the two parameters (Grant, Bird, & Marno, 2012).
In the UK, individuals living in disadvantaged areas are less likely to receive the benefits of green spaces and parks. Per the United Kingdom report on green spaces conducted by the Department of Transport in 2002, in among the most deprived authorities in the country, 40% of the parks were deteriorating and 88% of the present parks were assessed as being in poor condition due to factors associated with socioeconomic differences (Grant, Bird, & Marno, 2012).
A link exists between the quality of the environment (green spaces), health inequalities, and outcomes. Rise in diseases is associated with reduced activity. Differences in access to proper housing, employment, education and training, open space and affordable nutritious food are linked with health inequalities between different groups and areas in the UK. For example, the life expectancy in Southmead is shorter by nine years compared to that of Henleaze in the neighbouring ward a factor that has been associated with poor facilities in Southmead (Bristol Public Health, 2010).
The growth of urban areas has significantly transformed landscapes and has had a significant effect on the ecological system that comprises the landscapes. This has resulted into the creation of special types of landscapes within these modern urban settings. The pursuit of well-being has risen in urban areas and this is reflected with the increased interest in urban nature that has increased environmental awareness on the importance of green urban spaces (Priego, Breuste, & Rojas, 2008). Cities are not socially homogenous and are often divided into socially and culturally differentiated units. Due to these differences, individuals in cities have different behavioral patterns and perceptions regarding urban green spaces and their importance and impact to their health and well-being (Priego, Breuste, & Rojas, 2008).
Matsuoka and Kaplan (2008) identified two groups of dimensions that are critical in determining the perception and importance of green spaces. These are the nature needs, which are linked to the physical features of the nature setting in urban areas (contact with nature, aesthetic preference, and play and recreation). The other is the human-interaction need that includes social interaction issues, citizen participation, and community identity. Another was later identified that is nature needs that involve recreation and play. These determine the perception of the need and importance of green spaces (Priego, Breuste, & Rojas, 2008).
Green spaces have a proven track record in the reduction of the impact of deprivation, delivering better health and well-being for individuals and the creation of a strong community. The presence of such green spaces is associated with a decrease in the risk of developing health problems such as depression and lung disease. Moreover, research has revealed that proximity to a green space significantly reduces the life expectancy gap between the rich and poor indicating a socioeconomic factor (CABE Space, 2010).
This research will be based on Bristol City and will focus on identifying the differences in the provision of green spaces in the city, quality and use in different neighborhoods depending on the socioeconomic status to establish their differential impact on the health and well-being of individuals. During the research, investigations will be done to determine the use of these green spaces by the residents and whether they recognize their importance in their health and well-being. Moreover, the research will also investigate the perception of residents regarding their green spaces in reference to nature and quality including the features that promote and discourage the use of the spaces. Finally, research will look at the existing measures employed to promote the use of the green spaces and the residents’ opinions and provide recommendations on means of developing and promoting the uses of the spaces to promote the health and well-being of the residents.
Research Objectives
The main objective of this research is to explore the differences in green space provision, quality, and use in neighborhoods of different socioeconomic status as they have been strongly correlated with health and well-being differences. The minor objectives will be investigating and providing evidence on the use of green spaces by Bristol City’s residence and the recognition of the importance in promoting their health and well-being. In addition, it will explore the residents’ perceptions of the nature and quality of the city’s green spaces. The research will also look into the main features that encourage or discourage the utilization of the city’s green spaces. Finally, it will explore the relevant measures that can be employed to promote the use of local green spaces in Bristol and the health and well-being its residents.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between urban green space and health and well-being in neighborhoods in Bristol and exploring differences in green space provision, quality and use in neighborhoods of different socioeconomic status. The research also aims at providing evidence of the residents’ use of local green spaces and whether there is recognition of health and wellbeing benefits. It will also provide evidence of the residents perceptions of the nature and quality of local green spaces; the features that either encourage or discourage use of local green spaces; and measures that can be taken to promote the use of local green space and the health and wellbeing of residents.
Limitations of the Study
The limitations expected in this study include resistance from the participants in availing information, the extent of generalization of the results, and the research design. The participants’ resistance will be addressed by first providing them with information of the importance of the study and the possible future benefits for the individual and the city. In addition, this will be dealt with by ensuring that only the participants who have consented to take part in the research are involved. To make the results generalizable, a wide range of scholarly articles will be used and incorporate a multidisciplinary team and individuals from other areas. Finally, the research design will be dealt with by using a technical team of highly qualified researchers who are experienced in conducting such research.
Research Questions
The main research questions that will guide the research include:
* What are socioeconomic differences in space provision, quality, and use of green spaces in different neighborhoods of the city?
* Do Bristol City residents use the local green spaces?
* Do Bristol City residents recognize the health and well-being benefits of using local green spaces?
* What is the perception of Bristol City’s residents of the nature and quality of the local green spaces?
* What are the main features that encourage the use of the local green spaces?
* What are the main features that discourage the use of local green spaces?
* Which relevant measures can be employed to promote the use of local green spaces and the health and well-being of the city’s residents?
Research Methodology
Given the objectives of the study, both qualitative and quantitative research methods would be employed. The quantitative approach will be relevant for collecting statistical data and measuring variables in the research that will be effective in meeting the study’s objectives (Wisker, 2007). The qualitative approach will be effective in providing meanings, describing, and understanding concepts, perceptions, ideas, issues, and other intangible aspects of the study (Wisker, 2007). Combining the two approaches will allow the triangulation of finding from the differen...