Cultivating Urban Greenspace
Day Symposium
1 June 2011
Time: 10:00-17:00
Venue: School of GeoSciences (Geography), University of Edinburgh, Drummond Street, Edinburgh
The myriad benefits of urban greenspace are well documented. Green environments bring better self-perceived health, lower blood pressure, lower levels of overweight and obesity, and lower mortality risks. Even viewing greenspace can bring reduced healing times, restoration from stress/mental fatigue, reduced domestic violence, and a greater sense of well-being and neighbourhood satisfaction. At a community-level, the presence of and shared activity in (well-maintained) greenspaces can increase perceptions of safety and reduce crime, lead to a change in social norms, assist in developing stronger socio-cultural networks and opportunities for inclusion, combat social isolation, and enhance community capacity and civic pride. At an individual level, activities such as gardening can provide an often absent sense of effectiveness and/or control, increase physical fitness, reduce stress, and heighten one’s capacity to think clearly. Gardens themselves are valued for their tranquillity, privacy, and ontological security, particularly when the surrounding local environment is poor, and are places of attachment and affection. These factors are all particularly important in deprived areas, which often have relatively few publicly accessible greenspaces, and for residents in high-rise or multi-unit housing where a lack of territorial control over shared space or opportunity for social interaction can impact negatively on mental health. Yet, relatively little is known about the ways in which greenspace exerts these effects, the extent to which different types of greenspace matter, and whether greenspace disproportionately impacts specific socio-demographic groups.
The symposium is aimed at bringing together researchers, policymakers and practitioners interested in urban greenspace with a particular focus on urban cultivation, community gardening, urban orchards, and the regeneration of public/private greenspaces within the city. More broadly, it will be of interest to those interested in the links between greenspace and health, access to outdoor environments, urban open spaces, sustainability, human interaction, nature-society relationships, and horticultural therapy. It is hoped that the day will provide an opportunity to discuss issues relating to urban cultivation in more depth and, where possible, act as a springboard for future collaborations.
Confirmed speakers:
Caroline Brown (Heriot Watt University)
Elaine Gibb (Greenspace Scotland)
Anna Jorgensen (University of Sheffield)
Elizabeth Richardson (University of Edinburgh)
Hillary Vipond (Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens)
The symposium is free to attend but places are limited.
To book a place, please email Patrizia at [log in to unmask] before 23 May 2011.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
The symposium is being co-ordinated by Dr Nina Morris and is sponsored by the Human Geography Research Group (HGRG) in association with the Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health (CRESH).
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