The pandemic had ill effects on the mental health of young adults and a new study suggests that cities are moving slow to adapt public greenspaces to fit the needs of the 害羞草研究所渕issing middle.害羞草研究所�
A UBC study published Thursday (Nov. 17) found that those aged 15-24 are often left out of being considered when urban planners design their parks, especially when compared to the needs of children and the elderly.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e really good at providing playgrounds for younger children or including things like benches in parks for older adults,害羞草研究所� researcher Sara Barron said in a news release.
害羞草研究所淏ut when it comes to youth and young adults, there害羞草研究所檚 a noticeable lack of intentionally designed spaces where they can just be themselves.害羞草研究所�
Barron and fellow researcger Emily Rugel developed a three-pronged tool to better judge how young adults will utilize parks and greenspaces.
Young people respond better to parks that are well-tended and feel safe. Rugel says safety is a primary concern for young women who use parks.
害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 definitely [an area] where we need to think about what safety feels like for young adults versus other people who might be in a green space.害羞草研究所�
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When it comes to diversity, parks with a variety of plants and available activities scored higher, the study found. There害羞草研究所檚 also a demand amongst young people for quiet spaces that are more isolated.
害羞草研究所淪ome people will kind of seek that retreat,害羞草研究所� Rugel said. 害羞草研究所淏ut many other young adults want a place where they can come together with their friends, play games and have a loud conversation that they害羞草研究所檇 get yelled at for in a library.害羞草研究所�
In exploring the parks and laneways of Melbourne and Sydney in Australia as case studies, Rugel and Barron found very few parks scored highly in all three areas of order, diversity and seclusion. The conflicts between the three is a challenge for cities wishing to adapt the framework.
害羞草研究所淭here will be tensions between young adults and other park users,害羞草研究所� Rugel said. 害羞草研究所淧eople who may want to use a big open space to play a game [conflict] with people who want to be sitting there and having a picnic害羞草研究所hat害羞草研究所檚 definitely a tension that we think can be easily resolved, particularly by creating different areas that will provide options to people who butt heads when they害羞草研究所檙e there for different purposes.害羞草研究所�
However, there is opportunity to improve smaller 害羞草研究所減ocket parks害羞草研究所� and even alleys to better serve young people 害羞草研究所� such as Melbourne害羞草研究所檚 laneways that feature street art, plants and shrubbery.
害羞草研究所淚f you see a place where there害羞草研究所檚 graffiti, that means there害羞草研究所檚 an opportunity for a fabulous mural,害羞草研究所� Rugel said. 害羞草研究所淭hat would contribute to the sense of order and the sense it害羞草研究所檚 a place that害羞草研究所檚 well cared for.害羞草研究所�
The study finds that greenspaces can positively impact mental health by relieving stress and strengthening social ties. During COVID restrictions, a lack of access to outdoor spaces had direct impacts on young people害羞草研究所檚 mood, ability to pay attention and to focus on important things.
Rugel hopes the approach is used as a checklist to improve parks in Metro Vancouver and other cities in the area.
dillon.white@missioncityrecord.com
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