Effect of Urban Green Space on Urban Populations.

Authors

Jack Mensinger, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

2020

Document Type

Article

Citation

Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2020.

Comments

Copyright 2020 Jack Mensinger

Abstract

As the world's population continues to urbanize, population density increases and people endure the ever-increasing speed of the urban environment. The need to focus on mental and physical health becomes ever more critical as daily routines may not fulfill urban residents' basic needs. The bulk of work studying the relationship between green space, mental, and physical wellness, have had a narrow scope in their assessment of the benefits of green space. Previous studies focused either on the human interaction or the spaces utilities as a corridor and a habitat for flora and fauna. We utilized a systematic literature review to combine information about designing green spaces for ecological purposes and combined the information with phycological studies on urban resident health, wellness, and interaction with green spaces. A map of the subject city (Lincoln, Nebraska) detailing all green spaces with a quality assignment shows the distribution of green spaces around the city was created utilizing ArcMap. The map shows a well-distributed network of green spaces. Green spaces have a significant impact within a 3 km radius around the zone. The literature review also revealed a host of benefits connected to green space exposure, such as an increase in physical wellness, heart health, and perceived quality of life for those exposed to the green space.