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29 Aug 08

The RSPB: Health

Intro page from the Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds (RSPB) to a report by a Dr. William Bird (ha!) called "Natural Thinking," available as a PDF download. Bird's report is an "investigating [of] the links between the natural environment, biodiversity and mental health."

This could be a useful reference for urbanist writing, insofar as it underscores the importance of amenities as a necessary complement to density. You don't want to have density while simultaneously "automating" everything (no more walking, driving only, no interaction with nature, etc.). Even small "hot spots" of natural interaction will work, or more walking with actual natural elements at hand.

www.rspb.org.uk/...index.asp - Preview

health mental_health nature amenities stress research rspb

Outdoor activities, particularly walking, offer a cheap and accessible route to better health for all, and address many of today’s pressing public health issues. The continued use of green space for physical activity is strongly linked to the quality of the landscape - in terms of beauty, diversity, and contact with nature.
Green space has a key role to play in the drive to increase levels of physical activity across the nation. Detailed studies of two recent schemes, using the natural environment to promote fitness (‘Health Walks’ and ‘The Green Gym’), show that being in contact with nature both encourages people to take exercise and sustains their participation in physical activity.
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- Access to green space can also help alleviate a range of mental health problems. For example, contact with nature reduces stress within minutes; increases the elderly's sataisfaction with where they live and improves children's concentration and self-discipline, including the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD).