Improving Population Health and Health Equity: The Potential of Transitioning Public Open Spaces to Optimise the Production of Urban Ecological Services in Adelaide, South Australia

ABSTRACT

This research examines the potential of transitioning public “green spaces” to optimise health benefiting urban ecological services in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. The research found strengths but also significant weaknesses. The major weaknesses observed were poor quality amenities and facilities within open spaces, low landscape complexity, poor maintenance and inadequate integration with the built form and pedestrian networks of the surrounding neighbourhoods. Previous research has shown that the weaknesses we observed are adversely affecting the health and wellbeing of many residents. In addition, our research shows there are far more strengths and fewer weaknesses in pre-1945 and high-income neighbourhoods.

摘要

本研究探讨了南澳大利亚大都市阿德莱德转变公共“绿色空间”，以优化有益于健康的城市生态服务的潜力。在研究中，既发现了其优势，也发现了其中明显的弱势。观察中发现的主要弱势是开放空间内的设施和设备质量差，景观复杂程度低，维护不善，与周围社区的建筑形式和步行网络的整合不足。先前的研究表明，我们观察到的弱势对许多居民的健康和福祉产生了不利影响。此外，我们的研究显示，在1945年以前以及高收入社区，优势更多，弱势更少。

KEYWORDS:

• Urban ecological services
• liveability
• parks
• suburban open space
• health and wellbeing
• urban environments
• recreation
• urban watercourses

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of Data and Material

Data gathered is kept on a secure server at Flinders University. The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The greater project is funded by Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health, and the South Australian Government agency WellbeingSA.