For years, science has been catching up to the intuitive wisdom that spending time in, or adjacent to, nature has physical and mental health benefits. The ASLA has collected a trove of this research in one easy to navigate website.
"Researchers are amassing a body of evidence, proving what we all know to be true: nature is good for us and has both long and short term mental and physical health benefits," writes the American Society of Landscape Architects in introducing a new guide the organization has assembled online.
The hundreds of case studies, research studies and articles collected by the ASLA have been organized into 23 mental and physical health topics affecting children and adults. The webpage for each topic area provides an overview of the challenges facing health and design professionals, explores how landscape architects can help meet those challenges, and provides links to relevant research, resources, organizations, and case studies.
FULL STORY: HEALTH BENEFITS OF NATURE
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More Parks and Trees Can Increase Life Expectancy
New research shows that increasing park acreage in areas that face park deficits and low levels of tree canopy could lead to significant population-level increases in life expectancy.
Lessons Emerge as Cities Cede Public Space to Contain the Pandemic
One of the dominant themes to emerge from the spread of COVID-19 is the conflict between the need to be in nature for health and well-being while avoiding public space as much as possible to prevent the spread.
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The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
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BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule
The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.
Indy Neighborhood Group Builds Temporary Multi-Use Path
Community members, aided in part by funding from the city, repurposed a vehicle lane to create a protected bike and pedestrian path for the summer season.
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