Individuals with access to public green spaces, such as gardens and parks, have an enhanced contact with nature. Quality green spaces have been are considered by UK government officials as ‘vital element of a civilised urban environment’ (National Audit Office, 2006). The integration of public green spaces into the built environment through urban regeneration and strategy can lead to improvements in quality of place, improved quality of life and community cohesion (Forest Research, 2018). Francis et al. (2012, p1570) suggest that this may enrich the development of supportive relationships by providing spaces for healthy social interaction although this may be subjective to the location of their study. Areas with larger acreage of high quality greenspace have been known to produce lower depressive symptoms than areas lacking in these built environment conditions (Satcher et al., 2012).
The positive associations between high quality public open spaces (POS) and improvements in mental health may appeal to planners and developers (Francis et al., 2012). The North East of England already has many assets including its access to great outdoor environments (PHE Health Assets Profiles, 2018), but with Newcastle undergoing large scale regeneration, it is important for the open spaces of Newcastle to be protected. The Development and Allocations Plan (2018) outlines that a higher quality and wider variety of open space is often more valuable to communities than a greater quantity of provision (Newcastle City Council, 2018). Public open space quality is significantly and positively associated with the reduction of psychological distress and quality appears to be more important for mental health than POS quantity (Francis et al., 2012). Literature also suggests that POS and greenspace positively contribute to the recovery of people living with mental illness (Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010; Maas et al., 2010; Thompson, 2011). According to Miles et al. (2012), the ways in which individuals use their environment matters.
The increase of POS and greenspace suggests an increase in physical activity whilst also providing users with a sense of identity, safety and security which simultaneously improves the mental health of individuals (Satcher et al., 2012). Alternatively, the Urban Parks Foundation (2001) found that there were only 18% of parks in the UK were described as being in a good condition. This can encourage problems such as anti-social behaviour and drug-taking which can reduce the accessibility of such spaces leading to psychological stressors regarding risk (Forest Research, 2018). The Environment and Social Justice Review (Lucas et al., 2004) argued that urban greenspace quality can act as an indicator as to whether an area is a good place to live, concluding that good POS and greenspace quality, design and interpretation can help to make individuals feel welcome and reduce perception of threats in an unfamiliar environment.
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