Public Perceptions of Urban Green Spaces
Effects on Physical and Mental Health
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13114282 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Regina Veckalne (0000-0003-2517-1749, Riga Technical University, corresponding author), Asomkhodja Saidkhodjaev (Riga Technical University), Tatjana Tambovceva (0000-0002-9516-1530, Riga Technical University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 128-128 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-17 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Urban Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2413-8851 • E-ISSN: 2413-8851 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/urbansci9040128 |
| OpenAlex | W4409546020 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 71 |
Urban green spaces are essential for promoting public health by encouraging physical activity, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being. However, the perception and utilization of these spaces vary based on socio-demographic factors and urban planning characteristics. This study investigates public perception of urban green spaces and their perceived health benefits, emphasizing their psychological, physical, and social impacts. The study involved 240 respondents who assessed the availability and quality of green spaces as well as the social and psychological aspects of their use. The survey was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that environmental awareness (β = 0.404, p < 0.001) and social interaction (β = 0.391, p < 0.001) are significant predictors of the frequency of visiting green spaces, while their availability and quality do not have a significant impact. These findings highlight the critical role of environmental education and community awareness initiatives in maximizing the health benefits derived from urban green spaces. Frequency of use is positively associated with both mental (β = 0.272, p = 0.002) and physical health (β = 0.409, p < 0.001). Surprisingly, social interaction demonstrates a negative impact on mental health (β = −0.166, p = 0.002), which requires further study. The obtained results highlight the need for an integrated approach to studying the relationship between the urban environment and population health
Environmental health · Geography · Mental health · Perception · Psychiatry · Public health · Medicine · Noise Effects and Management · Nursing · Psychology · Urban Agriculture and Sustainability · Urban Green Space and Health
Partial Least Squares Strukturgleichungsmodellierung
Associations between Nature Exposure and Health
The Relationship between the Physical Activity Environment, Nature Relatedness, Anxiety, and the Psychological Well-being Benefits of Regular Exercisers
Green Space Quality and Health
The effects of naturalness, gender, and age on how urban green space is perceived and used
Defining greenspace
Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments
The theory of planned behavior
A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling
When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM
Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error
Integrating public perceptions of proximity and quality in the modelling of urban green space access
Where greenspace matters most
The influence of urban greenspaces on people’s physical activity
Residents’ awareness of the role of informal green spaces in a post-industrial city, with a focus on regulating services and urban adaptation potential
Wildlife and public perceptions of opportunities for psychological restoration in local natural settings
Public Perceptions of Nature and Landscape Preference in Singapore
The Nature of Reality
Assessing the role of urban green spaces for human well-being
Definitions of “rural” and “urban” and understandings of economic transformation
The impact of age on people's use and perception of urban green spaces and their effect on personal health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic—A case study of the metropolitan area of Vienna, Austria
Exploring biodiversity’s impact on mental well-being through the social-ecological lens
Making the Ghetto at Luník IX in Slovakia
Initiatives in Urban Greening
| Citations per year | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |