Lessons from a car-free settlement for child-friendly urban mobility

Our study focuses on active and independent mobility of children in a car-free settlement which can be promising for developing policies for a child-friendly urban future and mobility justice for children. The outputs of this study can bridge the gap between vehicle-oriented and non-vehicle-oriented settlements and enable the transfer of good experiences.

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Designing and implementing nature-based intervention, for the health of our community

Do we have the potential to combat childhood obesity rates with nature based programs? How does the design of community-based programming play a role?
Our study, analyzing 4,010 articles, reveals nature-based interventions promote healthy living. Focusing on community engagement and program gaps, our research highlights innovative strategies for healthier children. A collaborative approach offers new hope in addressing this global health challenge.

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Understanding gardening for wildlife in London’s private residential gardens

We wanted to understand the types of gardening for wildlife taking place in London’s private gardens and the influence of demographic factors on the likelihood to garden for wildlife. We sent out a digital questionnaire to ask Londoners about their gardening for wildlife practices and their age, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, occupation, household income, accommodation type, home ownership status, garden type, shared garden or not, dependents, and conservation-organisation membership status.

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The role of greenness during the COVID-19 pandemic

Residing in a neighbourhood with higher greenness within 400 metres was associated with higher residential greenspace visitations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies towards scaling up and optimising residential greenness may constitute important interventions for enhancing population-level resilience during public health emergencies.

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Natural spaces and depression in urban older adults: Exploring types, accessibility, and mediators

Increasing the availability of urban green spaces, even small pocket green spaces, should be considered a promising intervention for reducing depression among older individuals. Beyond 100m, urban green space protection diminishes. WHO recommends that the population have a green space within a 300m radius. However, for older people, this threshold may be too distant.
However, not all green spaces confer mental health benefits; therefore, researchers and professionals should consider the differential effects of different categories of greenery.

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Urban biodiversity helps with mental well-being, but we need to take more notice of it

As urbanisation continues globally, the interest in urban green space as a provider/supporter of mental well-being is still growing. The question has largely moved on from “Will a walk in the park help with mental well-being?” to “Will a walk in any park do?” Previous research suggested that urban green spaces with rich fauna and flora (i.e. rich biodiversity) improved mental well-being. However, the experimental evidence remains limited.

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Exploring the restorative and social value of urban running environments as third places, Manila, The Philippines

We asked runners across Metro Manila to rate their usual running spots, not just based on convenience or safety, but on how these places make them feel. Do they offer a sense of community? Do they reduce stress? Can people connect with others there, even informally? These questions are rooted in the idea of “third places”, spaces that are neither home nor work but still feel like a meaningful part of daily life.

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