By Tara Zupancic Director, Habitus Research Realizing the Health Benefits of Green Spaces in a...

by Tara ZupancicDirector, Habitus Research

Realizing the Health Benefits of Green Spaces in a Changing World, March 24, 2015, Allstream Centre, Toronto.

Green space, air quality and heat: a reviewA report of the David Suzuki Foundation

Faith Vatan Street, Istanbul, Turkey, credit: LEA Invent

”Plant life provides the basis for human life on our planet. So it is important to our health"

- Captain Obvious

Credit: Marianne Kingsley, Toronto Public Health

Credit: Gerrie, Parkdale, Toronto

Credit: Tsering, Toronto

Porto Allegre, Brazil, Credit: The Mind Blowing

Faith Vatan Street, Istanbul, Turkey, credit: LEA Invent

Credit: www.urban-climate-energy.com

Thank you

• David Suzuki Foundation

and

• Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

• EcoHealth Ontario

• Claire Westmacott

• Mike Bulthuis

Review question

What is the evidence that green space can support health in urban communities by

reducing heat and air pollution?

Research focus by year of publication102 studies

All types count

Credit:City of Chicago’s Department of Environment

Size, density and connectivity maximize impact

Photo: American Society of Landscape Architects: Laguna Beach, California

Trees, buildings and traffic

ATMOSYS is a LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance project, 2013

Pugh et al (2012)

Green barriers in vulnerable areas

Diversity increases impact and resiliency

Health and well being

Credit: Tish Carnat

Not all neighbourhoods are created equal

(Escobedo & Nowak, 2009; Huang et al., 2011; Jesdale, Morello-Frosch & Cushing, 2013; and Su et al 2011).

Recommendations from the literature

1.Examine spatial differences at local scales as part of larger greening strategies.

2.Explore diverse greening strategies to meet green density needs in urban areas.

3. Where possible, continue to provide cost/benefit analysis to support program planning.

4. Prioritize vulnerable areas.

5. More than greening is required: integrated policies to mitigate heat and air pollution is needed

Faith Vatan Street, Istanbul, Turkey, credit: LEA Invent

Questions?