The importance of ecological quality of public green and blue spaces for subjective well-being

Background and aim There is now considerable evidence that the natural environment provides health well-being benefits in urban environments. However, little understood about role of ecological quality maximising gains. Methods We examine relationship between accessibility public spaces high two measures subjective for adults, using British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), a large, longitudinal panel dataset. then compare this with found all Public Open Spaces, regardless their quality. use designation Sites Importance Nature Conservation (SINC) as an objective indication high-quality green- or bluespace, life satisfaction mental distress well-being. Areas Deficiency dataset from Greenspace Information Greater London CIC (GiGL) to identify residential areas more than 1 km walk SINC, based on actual walking routes known access points. Results Postcode-level analysis regression modelling reveals living beyond SINC decreases individual’s by 0.117 points scale 7. No distress. also do not find any significant either measure Spaces. Conclusions These findings suggest publicly accessible open important residents highlights need improving provision of, to, bluespaces areas. Keywords Biodiversity; Greenspace; Bluespace; Well-being; BHPS