An Urban Research Agenda for Decision Ready Science: Priorities and Opportunities

Urban Greening & Public Health as Ecosystem Services

Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D.

Research Social Scientist

University of Washington (Seattle USA) & USDA Forest Service, Pacific NW Research

May 2013

Wharton School, U Penn

Ecosystem Services TypologyEcosystem Services

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

2005

Landscape Gradient & Services Sourcing

Pierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties

Stormwater Management

Pierce County WA, Chambers Creek Properties - 4 year growth

stormwater management

Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore

What is the Evidence?

Urban Forestry & Urban GreeningHuman Health, Welfare & Function

Cultural Servicesof Nature Experiences

40 years of study . . . importance of ‘nearby nature’

www.greenhealth.washington.edu

summaries nearly complete

additionalproducts

study of economicvaluation

Research Reviews

% distribution

Urban Green :: Public Health & Well Being > 2,200 articles

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Research Reviewand Summaries

Sponsors: University of WashingtonUSDA Forest Service, U&CF ProgramNGO partners

thanks to U of WA students:Katrina FloraMary Ann Rozance

Example:Cultural/SocialEcosystem Service

Attention Restoration TheoryRachel & Stephen Kaplan U of MI

directed attention fatigue . . . .

Workplace Nature Views

Well-being– desk workers without view of nature

reported 23% more ailments in prior 6 months

Job Satisfaction– less frustrated and more patient– higher overall job satisfaction and

enthusiasm

Kaplan, R. 1993. Landscape and Urban Planning.

ART Design Elements being away ‘soft’

fascination extent compatibility

Future Research Needs?

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Urban Green :: Public Health & Well Being > 2,200 articles

20

Urban Greening &Health Evidence Framework

Abraham MaslowHierarchy of Needs

• correlation to causal mechanisms

• dosage? how much, how often

• green space attributes

• hyperfunction of green space; better integration with gray/green infrastructure

• benefit to cost assessments

• lifecycle & cultural specifics

Better Knowledge . . . .