JOHN LEAH
‘Wellbeing and Greenspaces: new understandings for new initiatives’
LANCASTER UNIVERSITY – SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT AND
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH RESEARCH
ESRC funded case award
with collaborating body: NATURAL ENGLAND
Research located in Bristol
1
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?
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
• 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
6
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”
7
WELLBEING AND THE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL QUALITIES
OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
• PERCEIVED SOCIAL QUALITIES OF THE COMMUNITY
e.g. “strength of the community
Attitudes and approaches to the impact of incomers
Respect for diversity
Relationship to change
continuity across generations”
• PERCEIVED PHYSICAL QUALITIES OF THE COMMUNITY
e.g. “local identity & character e.g. shops, places to meet
focal points e.g. The Tobacco Factory complex /
(community centres?)
best of both worlds –qualities of town and country”
(greenspaces)
8
WELLBEING AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY UNDERMINED
AND ERODED BY:
‘DISCONNECTION’ AND ‘ALIENATION’
e.g. “sense of fear
physical barriers e.g. main roads
bland or grimy high streets or main public spaces
-ve perception of planning and development processes and
outcomes
loss of traditional community
loss of high street shops to supermarkets
loss of reliance on each other these days
people not caring or being responsible
fear of crime and antisocial behaviour
fear of ‘otherness’
fear for children’s safety
impact of traffic
change of values across the generations”
9
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 country
village community in the city
adaptability to environments
e.g. good urban design
good public spaces
local identity / character e.g. shops
focal points e.g. The Tobacco Factory complex” / (community
centres?)
Similar factors described as those for ‘sense of community’
10
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 ACTIVITIES
e.g. Socialising ; Being with loved ones; Relaxing; outdoor pursuits
11
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 together
Regular 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 VALUES
e.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
12
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 & RELATING
HERE, SPILLS OVER INTO USING OTHER
PLACES (!?)
POSITIVE FEELINGS ABOUT LOCAL PUBLIC
PLACES AND OTHER RESIDIENTS
GENTRIFICATION!?
13
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!
14
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
15
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!!!
16
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 WELLBEING!) – 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)
17
REFERENCES
Wellbeing perspective:
Bruni, L and Porta, P, L. (2005) (eds) Economics and Happiness, framing the
analysis. Oxford University Press
Bruni, 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.
18
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.sustainabledevelopment.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
19
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
20
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
21