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Green Spaces: Mental and Physical health enhancers
It is proven that with the presence of Green open spaces, human health and wellbeing can be vastly improved mentally, physically and even socially. One study indicates that Open Green spaces play a role in Improving mental health, due to the proximity they offer with natural context which is beneficial for human . With very immediate and specific benefits such as the reduction with blood pressure, muscle tension and feelings of fear and anger, as well as the increase of self-esteem.5 The study also indicates that the presence of greenery, even when just observed from a bedroom window, is able to reduce symptoms of attention deficit disorder in children, increase their ability to communicate with others, as well as reduce depression6. Open public spaces for walking,
cycling, playing and other outdoor activities, especially when including an increased amount of green texture, can improve safe mobility and basic services for women, the elderly and children, in addition to low-income populations, which in this case promotes health equity and creates safer communities.
WA Department of Sport and Recreation, (2009) states that Green Spaces help enhance social outcomes. As they encourage social interaction and development of social skills, improve social networks and social wealth, as well as increase community cohesion. One study found that it is three times more likely for people who use public open spaces to achieve recommended levels of physical activity than people who do not.7
Zaha Hadid’s Beko Masterplan in Belgrade
