Summary
This literature review explores urban health issues and health inequalities and identifies the links between urban forestry and health in urban populations. It outlines current gaps in research and identifies opportunities for a focus on urban forestry and health and well-being in urban areas.
Research summary (PDF-434K)
Objectives
The objectives of the review were to:
- Identify key urban health issues and health inequalities
- Examine the role of trees, woods and forests in urban areas
- Explore the links between urban forestry and health/health inequalities in urban populations
- Identify gaps in research that will provide clearer evidence of the links between urban forestry and health
- Identify potential opportunities for the Forestry Commission to focus on health and well-being in urban areas.
The review of literature focused on empirical investigations of the relationship between urban forests, green space and health; published in peer reviewed journals. Studies were included where they dealt with green space in an urban setting and where research participants were from an urban or general population.
Results
The research reviewed in this report identifies the key health benefits of urban forests and green space as:
- Long and short term physical benefits associated with obesity, life expectancy, heart rate and blood pressure
- Attention and cognitive benefits associated with restoration, mood and self esteem
- Physical activity benefits associated with use of trees and woods
- Self reported benefits in terms of health and life satisfaction
- Community cohesion benefits through social contact fostered by TWF.
In reviewing the evidence from research undertaken to date we suggest that an urban forestry approach to targeting health and inequalities could focus on the:
- Restorative benefits of urban forests particularly those in immediate residential surroundings including street trees
- Social contact encouraged and facilitated by urban forest use.
Two groups that could especially benefit from a focus on urban forestry and health are children and poor communities.
The location of trees in relation to walking destinations, e.g. providing attractive and shady connections between homes and destinations, are potentially most important when considering physical activity. Visibility of urban forests and trees from home and work are important for the restorative role of urban forests. Because positive social interaction is important the characteristics of urban forests that promote a sense of safety and inclusion, such as good maintenance, staff presence and led activities, should be considered.
Report
Urban health and health inequalities and the role of urban forestry in Britain: a review (PDF-2172K)
Funders and partners
The Forestry Commission. In kind support from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Contact
Liz O’Brien
Forest Research
Social and Economic Research Group
Farnham
Surrey, GU10 4LH
Email: liz.obrien@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
