Plant-o-polis’: Are urban green spaces the answer to mental health?

by Ariana Bravo Matamoros, Villi Ieremia, Raphaël Hélie O. Loubert, Jakub Mlejnek, Anusuya Samantaray

Abstract

‘Plant-o-polis’ is a podcast series shedding light on urban health topics beyond borders. ‘Are urban green spaces the answer to mental health?’ This episode looks at the connection between urban green spaces and human health, zooming in on mental health, exacerbated social vulnerabilities and the relevance of COVID-19. We interview Raphaël Loubert, founding member of SOWoods (http://www.sowoods.be), a real-life project in its infancy that is on a mission to plant mini-forests in cities with the potential to be socially innovative. In an increasingly urbanized world, urban green spaces do matter; people more than ever appreciate their beauty and benefits. The studies cited from across the globe verify the positive link between nature and reduced mental health illnesses. We look at urban green spaces from the lenses of justice and governance and discuss approaches to sustainable development and Goal 3 on Good Health and Wellbeing of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

 

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