Accessible green space offers an opportunity for recreation, sports, and general physical activities, which have positive benefits for physical health. This also, in turn, helps to reduce mortality rates in an area. Nature also absorbs pollutants from fossil fuel transport and industry, which can be damaging to human nervous systems (Calderón-Garcidueñas et al, 2016) (Grinde & Patil, 2009).
It is well-documented and understood that interacting with nature has positive effects on health and wellbeing. Studies have shown the impact of outdoor activities, the therapeutic impact of nature, the impacts of having a visual view of nature, and simply adding plants to indoor environments. Research also suggests that obesity, attention disorders and depression are also linked to a decrease in children’s exposure to nature (Grinde & Patil, 2009).
Birmingham City Council's 25-year City of Nature Plan aims to increase the number of parks and green spaces in Birmingham, all of which must meet the Birmingham Fair Park Standard. The plan also aims to have 60% of residents accessing green spaces at least once a week (Birmingham City Council, 2022b).
To promote environmental justice, the plan proposes a Fair Parks Standard in which local parks are assessed based on five themes:
- Fair — is it welcoming, accessible, clean and safe?
- Green — are there different trees and plants, are there habitats for wildlife, is it managed sustainably?
- Healthy — are there walking routes, quiet areas, activities, is the park used for social prescriptions; and play value?
- Involved — can you find out what’s happening in your park, can you influence what is happening?
- Valued — do we know the worth of what the park provides, is that shared, are there ways to raise extra funds?
In order to measure the effects of nature on physical health, we’ll be looking into the Birmingham Environmental Justice measure and the Biological Inequalities Index, developed by Centric Lab (as referenced in Health).