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JOHN LEAH

‘Wellbeing and Greenspaces: new understandings for new initiatives’

LANCASTER UNIVERSITY – SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT AND INSTITUTE OF HEALTH RESEARCH

ESRC funded case awardwith collaborating body: NATURAL ENGLAND

Research located in Bristol

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THE STUDY

Used Focus Groups and Walking Interviews to explore the relationship between wellbeing and urban greenspaces.

Focus of study: ‘How do people interpret and experience wellbeing & how does this relate to their contact with nature / greenspaces’

• How do people describe ‘wellbeing’ in their own terms?

• How are different kinds of relationship with nature / greenspace embodied by different participants?

• How might greenspace policy take better account of the significance of social & cultural factors?

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METHODS AND METHODOLOGY

Focus Groups + Walking Interviews

36 participants – Age 25 – 50 mix of male and female

3 ‘LOW INCOME’ (‘marginal’) AREAS OF BRISTOL:

AVONMOUTH BEDMINSTER

BRISLINGTON

A FOCUS GROUP IN EACH AREA ( 2 Sessions with each group)

36 WALKING INTERVIEWS

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Structure: What participants were asked to do:

1st Focus Group discussion – how participants described happiness, health and fulfilment etc (i.e. ‘Well-Being’) in their own terms

2. Walking Interview – a chance to choose a walk in a place they felt impacted on their well-being, exploring interesting things about that local place, while taking photographs to illustrate their interests and issues

3. 2nd Group Discussion– about how the local environment / greenspaces affect their happiness, health and wellbeing – reference to Walking Interviews and photos

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Iterative quality to exploring participant’s views:

• First Focus Group discussion followed by

• Personal reflection and individual discussion and interaction during Walking Interview

and then

• Further exploration via second focus group discussion informed by each person’s personal reflection and photos

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• Participants own interpretations and experiences of ‘wellbeing’:

1. Feeling or being ‘connected’ or ‘disconnected’ - as encapsulated by participant’s descriptions of:

‘sense of community’ and ‘sense of place’

2. An ‘outlook on life’

in terms of ‘being a positive person’

or expressions of mistrust and caution,

or ‘struggling to make ends meet’ etc.

These ‘outlooks on life’ also included reference to the participant’s values and behaviours in relation to what supports or hinders their subjective wellbeing and aspirations in terms of human flourishing – i.e. there were very positive and negative (and all shades between) responses to the same issues and places

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WELLBEING AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY

PARTICIANTS TALKED A LOT ABOUT ‘FEELING CONNECTED’ –

THE IMPORTANCE OF BELONGING AND INVOLVEMENT TO WELLBEING, DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS:

e.g. “being known locally

being part of the local community

having good neighbours

a good community for family

good public spaces in which to meet / including greenspaces

a strong & close community but not oppressive / not ‘closed’

a village community in the city”

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WELLBEING AND THE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL QUALITIES OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

• PERCEIVED SOCIAL QUALITIES OF THE COMMUNITY

e.g. “strength of the communityAttitudes and approaches to the impact of incomersRespect for diversityRelationship to changecontinuity across generations”

• PERCEIVED PHYSICAL QUALITIES OF THE COMMUNITY e.g. “local identity & character e.g. shops, places to meetfocal points e.g. The Tobacco Factory complex / (community centres?)best of both worlds –qualities of town and country” (greenspaces)

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WELLBEING AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY UNDERMINED AND ERODED BY:

‘DISCONNECTION’ AND ‘ALIENATION’e.g. “sense of fearphysical barriers e.g. main roadsbland or grimy high streets or main public spaces-ve perception of planning and development processes and outcomesloss of traditional communityloss of high street shops to supermarketsloss of reliance on each other these dayspeople not caring or being responsiblefear of crime and antisocial behaviourfear of ‘otherness’fear for children’s safetyimpact of trafficchange of values across the generations”

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Wellbeing and aspects of ‘place based experiences’

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF & THE QUALITIES OF – SHARED PUBLIC SPACES – HIGH STREETS; MARKETS; THE DOCKS; GREENSPACES

‘PLACE’ FACTORS THAT SUPPORT WELLBEING:

e.g “best of both worlds – town and countryvillage community in the cityadaptability to environmentse.g. good urban design good public spaceslocal identity / character e.g. shopsfocal points e.g. The Tobacco Factory complex” / (community centres?)

Similar factors described as those for ‘sense of community’

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PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND SUBJECTIVE WELLBEING in RELATION TO GREENSPACES

(mainly from walking interviews & referring to greenspaces)

AS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF EXPERIENCES

e.g. the seeing / experience of nature – nature views, nature events / nature processes etc

ALTERED EXPERIENCE OF SELF:e.g. Calming / stimulating; Aesthetic shifts; ‘improving’ mental and physical health; being ‘more truly’ oneself (climbing, allotments, walking etc)

ALTERED EXPERIENCE OF OTHERNESS:e.g. Of other life; Of other people - +ve more open and relaxed Fearful – vulnerable if alone in unpopulated GS

AS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF ACTIVITIESe.g. Socialising ; Being with loved ones; Relaxing; outdoor pursuits

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AS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF FORMING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS – (WITH PEOPLE AND NATURE)e.g. A place to be with someone / group of people in particular ways – walking as a couple; as a family playing together; allowing children to play freely; meeting friends and relaxing; enjoying nature alone or togetherRegular encounters >>> forming friendships e.g. dog walkers

AS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE GREENSPACES THEMSELVES e.g. spaces that provide for personal and social needs – knowing how to meet personal needs via GS (use of different types of GS or ‘zones’ of a park)Natural features provide activity and identity – climbing; being on or near the river, Ashton Court allows reflection but also venue for festivals

AS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL VALUESe.g. GS Intrinsically important – like to know its there even if don’t use it; Social arena for connection and openness; SYMBOLIC VALUES: History and identity – GS as part of local cultural identity e.g. the nursery / N St Green; A source of pride

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GREENSPACES ARE PUBLIC SPACES – ‘GOOD’ PUBLIC SPACES ARE RELATIONAL SPACES: NORTH STREET IN BEDMINSTER – A VIBRANT HIGH STREET (TRANSFORMED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS) MANY GOOD PUBLIC SPACES FOR ‘RELATING & BEING’ :•BRISTOL DOCKS AREA•GREVILLE SMYTHE PARK •ASHTON COURT•SEVERAL HOME ZONES

CONFIDENCE OF ENCOUNTERS & RELATINGHERE, SPILLS OVER INTO USING OTHER PLACES (!?)POSITIVE FEELINGS ABOUT LOCAL PUBLIC PLACES AND OTHER RESIDIENTS

GENTRIFICATION!?

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AVONMOUTH

Industrialised / chemical companies

Busy modern docks / traffic / M5

BUT:

ENVIRONMENT NOT PERCEIVED AS

HAZARDOUS OR NEGATIVE TO WELLBEING

STRONG COMMUNITY TIES in heart of

the industrial area – highly valued

‘Village feel’

QUALITY GREENSPACE ‘NEAR ENOUGH'

e.g. at Blaise Castle Estate (1 mile away)

PEOPLE SEEM VERY ADAPTABLE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS!

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BRISLINGTON

LOTS OF HIGH QUALITY GREEN SPACE

BUT

GENERAL SENSE OF LOSS OF VILLAGE &

COMMUNITY

GREATER LEVELS OF MISTRUST OF

OTHERS!?

MIXED FEELINGS

GENDER – MEN MORE CONFIDENT IN USING

GREEN SPACES

WOMEN MORE FEARFUL

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DOES THE GENERAL EXPERIENCE OF KEY SOCIAL SPACES AFFECT CONFIDENCE IN USING GREEN SPACE?

Emerging data echoes the findings of the work of Cattell, Curtis, Dines and Gesler (2006 / 2008) on Public Space and Well-Being in Newham, East London

• THE NEED FOR A PLURALITY OF PUBLIC SPACES TO ENHANCE WELLBEING

• BENEFIT DERIVES FROM THE VARIED RELATIONSHIPS PEOPLE HAVE WITH PLACES – (See also Burgess)

• NOT JUST THE PLANNED & DESIGNED CONTENT OF THE SPACE – e.g. the old Market Place in Newham, North Street in Bedminster, Bristol Harbour and the Watershed area – but how other people are in those spaces!!!

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EXPLORING IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY:

DO GREENSPACES NEED TO BE SEEN IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF A TAPESTRY OF PUBLIC PLACES PROVIDING FOR A DIVERSITY OF WELL-BEING NEEDS – (INCLUDE & USE LAY CONSTRUCTS OF WELL-BEING!) – INTEGRATING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH WIDER WELLBEING INFRASTRUCTURE

CONFIDENCE DERIVED FROM A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE OF USING ONE PLACE MAY LEAD TO MORE LIKELY USE OF ANOTHER – THERE ARE ISSUES OF ‘CULTURAL PROXIMITY AND ACCESS’ TO PUBLIC AND GREEN SPACES

AS WELL AS PHYSICAL ISSUES WHEN CONSIDERING USING AND CONNECTING PUBLIC AND GREEN SPACES

PUBLIC ‘SPACES’ BECOME ‘PLACES’ WHEN PEOPLE HAVE RELATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

(PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES / GREENSPACE SCOTLAND)

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REFERENCES

Wellbeing perspective:Bruni, L and Porta, P, L. (2005) (eds) Economics and Happiness, framing the analysis. Oxford University PressBruni, L and Porta, P, L (2006) Measuring Well-being and Societal Progress. JRC/OECD report

Diener, E., Suh, E. M., Lucas, R. E., & Smith, H. E. (1999). Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125, 276-302.

Giovanola, B. (2005) ‘Personhood and human richness: good and wellbeing in the capability approach’, Review of Social Economy, 63(2).

Marks, N., Thompson, S., Eckersley, R., Jackson, T. and Kasser T. (2006). Sustainable Development and Wellbeing: relationships, challenges and policy implications. Report for Defra. Defra 2006 Accessed online 21/02/07

Nussbaum, M. (2000). Women and Human Development: The capabilities Approach. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press

Sen,A. (1993) 'Capability and Wellbeing', in Sen A. and Nussbaum, M.The Quality of Life Oxford: Clarendon Press.

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GREEN SPACE NATURE & THERAPEUTIC LANDSCAPES:

Brown, T. & Bell, M. (2007) Off the couch and on the move: global public health and the medicalisation of nature. Social Science & Medicine, 64. 1343-1354

Burgess J, Limb M and Harrison C. (1988 b) People, Parks and the Urban Green: A Study of Popular Meanings and Values for Open Spaces in the City. Urban Studies, 25, 455-473

Degen M, Whatmore S, Hinchliffe S, and Kearnes M B. (2006) Greenfingers, greenspaces: passionate involvements with urban natures, Body and Society in press.

Macnaghten P, and Urry J. (1999) Contested Natures. Sage Publications

Milligan C. 2003. ‘Exploring Therapeutic Landscapes: Footsteps to Praxis: 3’. Journal of Healthcare Design and Development, September 2003: 15-16

Newton, J. (2007) Wellbeing and the Natural Environment – a brief overview of the evidence. http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/what/documents/WellbeingAndTheNaturalEnvironmentReport.doc

Whatmore S, Hinchliffe S.( 2003 ) Living Cities : Making Space for Urban Nature.Journal of Politics and Culture, Jan. 2003

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Theoretical & Methodological Approach – some key texts:

Burgess J, Limb M and Harrison C. (1988) Exploring environmental values through the medium of small groups. Part One and Part Two. Environment and Planning A, 20.Burgess, J. (1996) Focussing on fear: the use of focus groups in a project for the Community Forest Unit, Countryside Commission, Area 28, 130-5.

Degen, M. Whatmore, S. Hinchliffe, S. and Kearnes, M.B. (2006) Greenfingers, greenspaces: passionate involvements with urban natures, Body and Society in press. www.open.ac.uk/socialsciences/staff/shinchliffe/info.html accessed 12/01/06

Dines, N and Cattell, V (2006) with Wil Gesler and Sarah Curtis. Public spaces, social relations and well-being in East London. Published by The Policy Press for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (University of Queen Mary London . Report and summary available from www.jrf.org.uk

Macnaghten P. 2003. 'Embodying the environment in everyday life practices' The Sociological Review 51 (1): 62-84

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Method - Walking interviews / Focus Groups:

Anderson, J. (2004) Talking whilst walking: a geographical archaeology of knowledge. Area Volume 36 Issue 3 Page 254-261

Bingley, A. and Milligan, C. (2007) 'Sandplay, Clay and Sticks': Multi-Sensory Research Methods to Explore the Long-Term Mental Health Effects of Childhood Play Experience', Children's Geographies, 5:3, 283-296.

Burgess J, Limb M and Harrison C. (1988) Exploring environmental values through the medium of small groups. Part One and Part Two. Environment and Planning A, 20.Burgess, J. (1996) Focussing on fear: the use of focus groups in a project for the Community Forest Unit, Countryside Commission, Area 28, 130-5.

Degen M, Whatmore S, Hinchliffe S, and Kearnes M B. (2006) Greenfingers, greenspaces: passionate involvements with urban natures, Body and Society Hitchings and Jones (2004) Living with plants and the exploration of Botanical encounter within Human Geography research practice. Ethics, place and Environment, 7, 1-2