public open spaces making them convivial
Public open spaces making them convivial
Report submitted by
s.subramanian I year m.arch-pmu INTRODUCTION
World wide research has shown that public open space, particularly in urban areas, has an extremely important positive influence on community health and wellbeing. Accessible good quality public open space is important as it provides urban dwellers with contact with nature, which is fundamental to human health.
It also provides opportunities for people to experience regular human to human contact, in a non threatening environment, which is another key health influence.
ROLE OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Social Interaction
Research has shown that an important factor in determining the health and wellbeing of a given community, and of the individuals within it, is the level of contact and interaction that occurs between the people of that community.
The provision of public spaces, which people enjoy gathering in and using can play an important role in promoting and fostering human contact and interaction.
While, parks, gardens and reserves play a very significant role in this process, it is important to also recognize the critical role that appropriate, accessible, safe and appealing non-park spaces such as town squares, courts, malls and piazzas and footpaths can play.
In support of this notion the World Health Organization states in its publication “….Designing facilities to encourage meeting and social interaction in communities can improve mental health.”
Contact with Nature
Research undertaken by Deakin University (Muller et al 2002) highlights the importance to human health and wellbeing of regular quality exposure to nature, or natural phenomena, such as trees, grass plants, birds and animals.
This is particularly critical in urban and sub-urban societies, as these things often aren’t always readily available to people unless provided in the form of public parks, gardens and reserves.
Report submitted by
s.subramanian I year m.arch-pmu INTRODUCTION
World wide research has shown that public open space, particularly in urban areas, has an extremely important positive influence on community health and wellbeing. Accessible good quality public open space is important as it provides urban dwellers with contact with nature, which is fundamental to human health.
It also provides opportunities for people to experience regular human to human contact, in a non threatening environment, which is another key health influence.
ROLE OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Social Interaction
Research has shown that an important factor in determining the health and wellbeing of a given community, and of the individuals within it, is the level of contact and interaction that occurs between the people of that community.
The provision of public spaces, which people enjoy gathering in and using can play an important role in promoting and fostering human contact and interaction.
While, parks, gardens and reserves play a very significant role in this process, it is important to also recognize the critical role that appropriate, accessible, safe and appealing non-park spaces such as town squares, courts, malls and piazzas and footpaths can play.
In support of this notion the World Health Organization states in its publication “….Designing facilities to encourage meeting and social interaction in communities can improve mental health.”
Contact with Nature
Research undertaken by Deakin University (Muller et al 2002) highlights the importance to human health and wellbeing of regular quality exposure to nature, or natural phenomena, such as trees, grass plants, birds and animals.
This is particularly critical in urban and sub-urban societies, as these things often aren’t always readily available to people unless provided in the form of public parks, gardens and reserves.
References: 1. Urban open spaces – Helen wooly 2. Open space-people space – Catherine ward Thompson 3. Public space-the management dimension-mathew carmona 4. Creating effective public places – henry shaftoe 5. Publc places-urban places -mathew carmona 6. Pps-project for public space website.