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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Restorative urban wildness for people, biodiversity and urban ecosystems health

What if urban health went beyond human wellness? Through our more-than-One Health conceptualization, we explored urban wild spaces as places where the health and flourishing of humans, animals, and ecosystems intertwine. This approach provides new insights into designing cities that are not just green, wild, but interconnected as restorative habitats for human and non-human health.

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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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Perceptions of design professionals regarding vertical greenery in buildings – A case of Delhi

Our study provides valuable insights by examining the obstacles and viewpoints regarding vertical greenery systems in Delhi. It highlights the technical challenges as significant adoption barriers among built environment professionals. Emphasizing the pivotal role of vertical greenery in climate change mitigation, this research advocates for further scholarly investigation and evidence-based policy formulation. This deepened understanding supports the seamless integration of vertical greenery systems into urban landscapes, fostering sustainability and resilience.

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The Emerald Isle or a Green Desert? Gardens as sites for city greening 

To create cities where both nature and humans thrive, the research outlines how city gardens are interconnected with the surrounding countryside and coast. A hands-on approach is needed to bring more nature into gardens through combining disciplines such as 1) environmental psychologists (unearthing different types of gardeners) 2) the horticultural industry (the know-how) and 3) the marketing/advertising industry (the storytellers). Aggregated actions of domestic gardeners could help policy-makers push for improved biodiversity restoration.

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