Why Nature Is Good For Us
Escrito por Daniella Di Prizio | 21 mayo 2010
“Urban Greening Resources”, a guide prepared by Dr. Patricia Novick, Director of Health Programs at Erie Neighborhood House with support from The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, is an in-depth discussion of the positive effects of green space on the well being of individuals and society. The term “green space” can encompass everything from a planned community-built garden to a small open gathering space with a few trees. Research has found that men and women of all ages are attracted to green space areas; leading to a stronger sense of community, including more support for one another and a sense of belonging. Green space also leads to an increase in safety because of the higher levels of surveillance and elimination of some of the psychological precursors to crime.
Moreover, in communities in which gardens were developed and maintained, there was an improvement in physical health and psychological wellness; especially in low income, minority communities. Research also suggests a trend of increased capital within the community and its surrounding businesses. On an individual level, people are more able to cope with stress, regardless of socio-economic status, if they are exposed to green space and are less susceptible to depression. Constant contact with nature is supportive of continued cognitive, social and emotional development for people of all ages.
There are a multitude of manuals that facilitate the creating and maintaining of green space. Dr. Novick will be presenting her research on green space at Just Metropolis in San Francisco in mid June and at the Institute for the Advancement of Science in Health (IASH) in mid-October, also in San Francisco.
