Integrating knowledge on green infrastructure, health and well-being in ageing populations: principles for research and practice

Dennis, M; Barker, A; Anderson, J; Ashton, J; Cavan, G; Cook, PA; French, D; Philipson, C; Tzoulas, K; Wheater, C; Wossink, G; Lindley, S

Abstract

Ageing and urbanisation pose significant challenges for public health and urban planning. Ageing
populations are at particular risk from hazards arising from urbanisation processes, some of which are
in turn exacerbated by climate change. One approach for mitigating the negative effects of
urbanisation on ageing populations is the leveraging of the beneficial effects of urban green infrastructure as a public health intervention in the planning process. We assessed the potential of
available theoretical frameworks to provide the context for such leverage. This involved active
engagement with academics and practitioners specialising in ageing, green infrastructure and health
and well-being through a knowledge-brokering approach. We concluded that an integrated and
comprehensive framework on the socio-cultural-ecological determinants of health is lacking. To
address this, we present a set of principles for overcoming challenges to knowledge integration when
working at the intersection of green infrastructure, ageing, health and well-being. Our findings – and
the co-production process used to generate them - have wider significance for trans-disciplinary
research into the benefits of the natural environment to human health and well-being as well as other
complex and inter-connected topics associated with global grand challenges.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 5, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Aug 6, 2022
• Publication Date: Aug 6, 2022
• Deposit Date: Aug 10, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 10, 2022
• Journal: AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
• Print ISSN: 0044-7447
• Electronic ISSN: 1654-7209
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 107-125
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01765-5
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01765-5
• Related Public URLs: https://www.springer.com/journal/13280