Are the sidewalks around your home wide enough? Is transportation sufficiently accessible? How many nearby parks do you have? Aesthetics, building density, green spaces… In addition to pollution, many lesser-known factors affect health, as noted in a report on the health of residents of Ile-de-France published on March 28 by the Regional Health Observatory. For the Institute, the aim of this work is to put ‘healthy urban planning’ back at the heart of its concerns. Overview:
The layout of your neighborhood encourages you to walk.
Do you want to go for a walk? Wander the streets or discover new places just a few bus or subway stops away? Want to bike along the banks of a nearby waterway?
If so, it’s because your habitat is real.walking distance“. Specifically, the way your neighborhood encourages you to go out. And physical activity (mainly walking) partly determines your health.
The diagnosis reveals several very specific factors of urban planning. For example, he insists on the importance of public transport when it allows easy access to shops, cultural sites or sports complexes. The report is also interested in the beauty of the buildings, which can encourage you to continue your wanderings. Or the beauty of a natural element. who doesn’t appreciate their walk when it takes place by the river? The study also highlights more specific but no less important elements, such as the width of the sidewalks you walk on, which allow you to move around more freely.
Do you have a green space near your home?
The amount of green space is also important. The report highlights numerous research findings that have demonstrated a positive relationship between accessibility.different types of green spaces” and health status, “measured by various indicators: general health, mental health, obesity, birth weight, child development and mortality“.
The research thus argues in favorphysical, psychological, social, economic and environmental benefits» green areas. For what ? Because the latter change your behavior, allow you to go out into nature more often if you are in the city center and allow you to preserve biodiversity. The report also notes that “all” green spaces do not have the same impact, be it a small garden or a large garden.
.fig-i-59012c2f085452a27a9a356608364a9a.fig-placeholder::before {padding-top:71.428571428571%}
<div class=”fig-media__container fig-placeholder
fig-i-59012c2f085452a27a9a356608364a9a fig-lazy fig-placeholder–with-dimensions” data-module=”fig-photo” data-context=”was @visible” data-modal-image=’
Analyzing the causal mechanisms of the effects of urban green spaces on health and well-being. The regional health observatory, according to A. Roué-Le Gall diagram in Milvays and Roué-LeGall (2015)
Specifically, spaces can be, for example, synonymous with running, relaxing in the sun, playing games with family or meeting friends. All of these situations can help you reduce stress and maintain good physical condition. It is also alongside ecosystems that we must look to understand the benefits of parks and gardens; green spaces allow “temperature and water regulation“, regulation of pollution or conservation of biodiversity;
What about your social environment?
After all, it is the social environment that must be taken into account. Do you feel safe in your neighborhood? If so, you will naturally tend to walk there more regularly and longer. Do you have local businesses or local services? They will encourage you to shop on foot and eat healthier. Are there places of social cohesion around your home? Associations and other structures that create social connections reduce stress and combat loneliness.
It is therefore imperative for the Observatory to consider urban planning as “fundamental action leverfor good health, the report states. He notes, however, that the field of research is “full explorationand that there is still much research to be done.
Source: Le Figaro
I am John Sinkler, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in writing about entertainment-related topics and have been doing so for several years now. My work has been featured on multiple platforms and I’m proud to say that it’s gained recognition from many people in the industry. Aside from working at Buna Times, I also write freelance articles for other publications.