Nature in Urban Planning for Better Human Health

Urban planning, public health, and nature are intricately connected. Studies show that exposure to natural environments can reduce stress, improve mental health, increase social cohesion, and promote physical activity – all of which can attribute to positive health outcomes. Understanding the specific elements of nature experiences and their health benefits is crucial for tailoring urban planning efforts to meet community and public health goals.

Nature in Urban Planning for Better Human Health provides a roadmap for planners to incorporate nearby nature into the planning process to promote health and create vibrant urban living spaces for all residents. Using evidence from the literature, the guide will help planners align their efforts with public health priorities and establish goals that maximize the benefits of natural assets. It shows how planners can carefully consider nature as part of an urban system to design environments that enhance residents’ interactions with nature, promote physical activity, and improve overall health outcomes.

Americans face several health crises, from chronic physiological disease to mental health issues. A growing body of evidence suggests that proximity to nature has a positive impact on human health. Chapters 1 and 2 of the guide provide the background and evidence for the positive impact of nature on health. Chapter 3 introduces plan-making and describes how public engagement and cross-sector collaboration can be used to integrate nature into plan-making process. Chapter 4 discusses the important physical aspects of nature that influence residents’ well-being, providing guidance on how to design and manage urban green spaces using the principles of “activating elements” such as dosage and sound. Perceptual and experiential aspects of urban nature, such as wayfinding, spatial definition, and safety considerations, are described in Chapter 5, providing valuable insights to planning environments that are inclusive and supportive of diverse needs. Finally, Chapter 6 focuses on the implementation of community plans. It shows how public land use, development regulations, and economic approaches such as incentives can be used to attract public and private capital to fund, preserve, and expand urban green spaces.

Authors

Jennifer Egan

Medessa Burian

Partners

Sponsors

US Forest Service

Links

Nature in Urban Planning for Better Human Health, online short course

Attachments