Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Emerging issues in urban ecology: implications for research, social justice, human health, and well-being

  • Perspectives
  • Published:
Population and Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Urbanization affects landscape structure and the overall human condition in numerous ways. Green spaces include vegetated land cover (e.g., urban forests, trees, riparian zones, parks) which play a distinctive role in urban ecology. This article reviews emergent literature on the linkages between urban green spaces, social justice, and human health. We explore this subject in the context of landscape structure, ecosystem services, and distributional equity as it relates to various health outcomes. Finally, we conclude by identifying gaps in the scholarship and potential areas of future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abercrombie, L. C., Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Frank, L. D., Saelens, B. E., & Chapman, J. E. (2008). Income and racial disparities in access to public parks and private recreation facilities. Am J Prev Med, 34(1), 9–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anguelovski, I. (2015). From toxic sites to parks as (green) LULUs? New challenges of inequity, privilege, gentrification, and exclusion for urban environmental justice. Journal of Planning Literature, 0885412215610491.

  • Astell-Burt, T., Feng, X., Mavoa, S., Badland, H. M., & Giles-Corti, B. (2014). Do low-income neighbourhoods have the least green space? A cross-sectional study of Australia’s most populous cities. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benedict, M. A., & McMahon, E. T. (2006). Green infrastructure. Linking landscapes and communities, Washington-Covelo-London.

  • Bengston, D. N., Fletcher, J. O., & Nelson, K. C. (2004). Public policies for managing urban growth and protecting open space: policy instruments and lessons learned in the United States. Landsc Urban Plan, 69(2–3), 271–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boone, C. G., Buckley, G. L., Grove, J. M., & Sister, C. (2009). Parks and people: an environmental justice inquiry in Baltimore, Maryland. Ann Assoc Am Geogr, 99(4), 767–787. doi:10.1080/00045600903102949.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruton, C., & Floyd, M. (2014). Disparities in built and natural features of urban parks: comparisons by neighborhood level race/ethnicity and income. Journal of Urban Health, 1–14. doi:10.1007/s11524-014-9893-4.

  • Bull, J., Jobstvogt, N., Böhnke-Henrichs, A., Mascarenhas, A., Sitas, N., Baulcomb, C., Lambini, C., Rawlins, M., Baral, H., & Zähringer, J. (2016). Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats: a SWOT analysis of the ecosystem services framework. Ecosystem Services, 17, 99–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullard, R. (2000). Dumping in the Dixie: race, class and environmental quality. Westview Press.

  • CICES. (2015). Structure of CICES. Retrieved from http://cices.eu/.

  • CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). (2008). Healthy Places Terminology. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/terminology.htm

  • Clarke, L. W., Jenerette, G. D., & Davila, A. (2013). The luxury of vegetation and the legacy of tree biodiversity in Los Angeles, CA. Landsc Urban Plan, 116, 48–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, D. A., Lapham, S., Evenson, K. R., Williamson, S., Golinelli, D., Ward, P., Hillier, A., & McKenzie, T. L. (2013). Use of neighbourhood parks: does socio-economic status matter? A four-city study. Public Health, 127(4), 325–332. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2013.01.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conway, T. M., Shakeel, T., & Atallah, J. (2011). Community groups and urban forestry activity: drivers of uneven canopy cover? Landsc Urban Plan, 101(4), 321–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coombes, E., Jones, A., & Hillsdon, M. (2010). The relationship of physical activity and overweight to objectivity measured green space accessibility and use. Soc Sci Med, 70(6), 816–822.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coutts, C. (2010). Public Health Ecology. Journal of Environmental Health, January/February 53-55.

  • Coutts, C. J., & Horner, M. W. (2015). Nature and death: an individual level analysis of the relationship between biophilic environments and premature mortality in Florida. Spatial Analysis in Health Geography, 295.

  • Crowder, K., & Downey, L. (2010). Inter-neighborhood migration, race, and environmental hazards: modeling micro-level processes of environmental inequality. AJS; American journal of sociology, 115(4), 1110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cumming, G. S. (2011). Spatial resilience: integrating landscape ecology, resilience, and sustainability. Landsc Ecol, 26(7), 899–909.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dadvand, P., de Nazelle, A., Figueras, F., Basagaña, X., Su, J., Amoly, E., Jerrett, M., Vrijheid, M., Sunyer, J., & Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J. (2012). Green space, health inequality and pregnancy. Environ Int, 40, 110–115. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2011.07.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai, D. (2011). Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in urban green space accessibility: where to intervene? Landsc Urban Plan, 102, 234–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dallimer, M., Irvine, K. N., Skinner, A. M., Davies, Z. G., Rouquette, J. R., Maltby, L. L., Warren, P. H., Armsworth, P. R., & Gaston, K. J. (2012). Biodiversity and the feel-good factor: understanding associations between self-reported human well-being and species richness. Bioscience, 62(1), 47–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Groot, R., Fisher, B., Christie, M., Aronson, J., Braat, L., Haines-Young, R., Gowdy, J., Maltby, E., Neuville, A., & Polasky, S. (2010). Integrating the ecological and economic dimensions in biodiversity and ecosystem service valuation. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB): Ecological and Economic Foundations: Earthscan.

  • Dobbs, C., Kendal, D., & Nitschke, C. R. (2014). Multiple ecosystem services and disservices of the urban forest establishing their connections with landscape structure and sociodemographics. Ecol Indic, 43, 44–55. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.02.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, G. H., Butry, D. T., Michael, Y. L., Prestemon, J. P., Liebhold, A. M., Gatziolis, D., & Mao, M. Y. (2013). The relationship between trees and human health: evidence from the spread of the emerald ash borer. Am J Prev Med, 44(2), 139–145. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2012.09.066.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, D., Kawachi, I., White, K., & Williams, D. R. (2012). The geography of recreational open space: influence of neighborhood racial composition and neighborhood poverty. Journal of Urban Health, October.

  • Duncan, D. T., Kawachi, I., Kum, S., Aldstadt, J., Piras, G., Matthews, S. A., Arbia, G., Castro, M. C., White, K., & Williams, D. R. (2014). A spatially explicit approach to the study of socio-demographic inequality in the spatial distribution of trees across boston neighborhoods. Spatial Demography 2, 1-29.

  • Dye, C. (2008). Health and urban living. Science, 319(5864), 766–769.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escobedo, F. J., Kroeger, T., & Wagner, J. E. (2011). Urban forests and pollution mitigation: analyzing ecosystem services and disservices. Environ Pollut, 159(8–9), 2078–2087. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2011.01.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flocks, J., Escobedo, F., Wade, J., Varela, S., & Wald, C. (2011). Environmental justice implications of urban tree cover in Miami-Dade County. Florida Environmental Justice, 4(2), 125–134. doi:10.1089/env.2010.0018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, M. F., Spengler, J. O., Maddock, J. E., Gobster, P. H., & Suau, L. (2008). Environmental and social correlates of physical activity in neighborhood parks: an observational study in Tampa and Chicago. Leis Sci, 30(4), 360–375. doi:10.1080/01490400802165156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forsyth, A., Musacchio, L., & Fitzgerald, F. (2005). Designing small parks: a manual for addressing social and ecological concerns. John Wiley & Sons.

  • Fuller, R. A., Irvine, K. N., Devine-Wright, P., Warren, P. H., & Gaston, K. J. (2007). Psychological benefits of greenspace increase with biodiversity. Biol Lett, 3(4), 390–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giles-Corti, B., Bull, F., Knuiman, M., McCormack, G., Van Niel, K., Timperio, A., Christian, H., Foster, S., Divitini, M., & Middleton, N. (2013). The influence of urban design on neighbourhood walking following residential relocation: longitudinal results from the RESIDE study. Soc Sci Med, 77, 20–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillner, S., Vogt, J., Tharang, A., Dettmann, S., & Roloff, A. (2015). Role of street trees in mitigating effects of heat and drought at highly sealed urban sites. Landsc Urban Plan, 143, 33–42. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.06.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon-Larsen, P., Nelson, M. C., Page, P., & Popkin, B. M. (2006). Inequality in the built environment underlies key health disparities in physical activity and obesity. Pediatrics, 117(2), 417–424. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-0058.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grimm, N. B., Faeth, S. H., Golubiewski, N. E., Redman, C. L., Wu, J. G., Bai, X. M., & Briggs, J. M. (2008). Global change and the ecology of cities. Science, 319(5864), 756–760. doi:10.1126/science.1150195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerry, A. D., Polasky, S., Lubchenco, J., Chaplin-Kramer, R., Daily, G. C., Griffin, R., Ruckelshaus, M., Bateman, I. J., Duraiappah, A., & Elmqvist, T. (2015). Natural capital and ecosystem services informing decisions: from promise to practice. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 112(24), 7348–7355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haddad, N. M., Brudvig, L. A., Clobert, J., Davies, K. F., Gonzalez, A., Holt, R. D., Lovejoy, T. E., Sexton, J. O., Austin, M. P., Collins, C. D., Cook, W. M., Damschen, E. I., Ewers, R. M., Foster, B. L., Jenkins, C. N., King, A. J., Laurance, W. F., Levey, D. J., Margules, C. R., Melbourne, B. A., Nicholls, A. O., Orrock, J. L., Song, D.-X., & Townshend, J. R. (2015). Habitat fragmentation and its lasting impact on Earth’s ecosystems. Science Advances, 1(2).

  • Harris, B., Larson, L., & Ogletree, S. (2017). Different views from the 606: examining the impacts of an urban greenway on crime in Chicago. Environment and Behavior, 1–30.

  • Harrison, P., Berry, P., Simpson, G., Haslett, J., Blicharska, M., Bucur, M., Dunford, R., Egoh, B., Garcia-Llorente, M., & Geamănă, N. (2014). Linkages between biodiversity attributes and ecosystem services: a systematic review. Ecosystem Services, 9, 191–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., de Vries, S., & Frumkin, H. (2014). Nature and health. Annu Rev Public Health, 35(1). doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013-182443.

  • Hastings, D. W., Zahran, S., & Cable, S. (2006). Drowning in inequalities swimming and social justice. Journal of Black Studies, 36(6), 894–917.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heynen, N., Perkins, H. A., & Roy, P. (2006). The political ecology of uneven urban green space. Urban Aff Rev, 42(1), 3–25. doi:10.1177/1078087406290729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, J., Lu, X. X., & Sellers, J. M. (2007). A global comparative analysis of urban form: applying spatial metrics and remote sensing. Landsc Urban Plan, 82(4), 184–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, R. F., Christian, H., Veitch, J., Astell-Burt, T., Hipp, J. A., & Schipperijn, J. (2015). The impact of interventions to promote physical activity in urban green space: a systematic review and recommendations for future research. Soc Sci Med, 124, 246–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, L., Daniel, J., McCorkle, B., Sears, A., & Bush, K. (2013). Linking ecosystem services and human health: the eco-health relationship browser. International Journal of Public Health, 58(5), 747–755. doi:10.1007/s00038-013-0482-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James, P., Banay, R. F., Hart, J. E., & Laden, F. (2015). A review of the health benefits of greenness. Current epidemiology reports, 2(2), 131–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarrett, R. L., Bahar, O. S., Williams, D. A., & Mcpherson, E. (2012). “The kids need a safe place to play”: caregivers’ recommendations for promoting child physical activity in an inner-city neighborhood. The International Journal of the Constructed Environment, 2(3), 233–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarrett, R. L., Bahar, O. S., McPherson, E., & Williams, D. A. (2013). No child left inside: the built environment and caregiver strategies to promote child physical activity. J Leis Res, 45(4), 485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, V., & Johnson Gaither, C. (2015). Approaching environmental health disparities and green spaces: an ecosystem services perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 12(2), 1952–1968.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, V., Johnson Gaither, C., & Gragg, R. (2012). Promoting environmental justice through urban green space access: a synopsis. Environmental Justice, 5(1), 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, V., Larson, C., & Larson, L. (2016a). Ecosystem services and preventive medicine: a natural connection. Am J Prev Med, 50(5), 642–645. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.11.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, V., Larson, L., & Yun, J. (2016b). Advancing sustainability through urban green space: cultural ecosystem services, equity, and social determinants of health. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 13(2), 196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, V., Yun, J., & Larson, L. (2016c). Finding common ground: environmental ethics, social justice, and a sustainable path for nature-based health promotion. Healthcare, 4(3), 61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jesdale, B. M., Morello-Frosch, R., & Cushing, L. (2013). The racial/ethnic distribution of heat risk-related land cover in relation to residential segregation. Environ Health Perspect, 121(7), 811–817.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson Gaither, C. (2015). Smokestacks, parkland, and community composition examining environmental burdens and benefits in Hall County, Georgia, USA. Environ Behav, 47(10), 1127–1146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabisch, N. (2015). Ecosystem service implementation and governance challenges in urban green space planning—the case of Berlin, Germany. Land Use Policy, 42, 557–567. doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2014.09.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kardan, O., Gozdyra, P., Misic, B., Moola, F., Palmer, L. J., Paus, T., & Berman, M. G. (2015). Neighborhood greenspace and health in a large urban center. Scientific Reports, 5.

  • Kondo, M. C., Low, S. C., Henning, J., & Branas, C. C. (2015a). The impact of green stormwater infrastructure installation on surrounding health and safety. Am J Public Health, 105(3), e114–e121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kondo, M. C., South, E. C., & Branas, C. C. (2015b). Nature-based strategies for improving urban health and safety. Journal of Urban Health, 1–15. doi:10.1007/s11524-015-9983-y.

  • Kondo, M. C., Han, S. H., Donovan, G. H., & MacDonald, J. M. (2017). The association between urban trees and crime: evidence from the spread of the emerald ash borer in Cincinnati. Landsc Urban Plan, 157, 193–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuo, M. (2015). How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway. Frontiers in Psychology, 6.

  • Kuo, F. E., & Sullivan, W. C. (2001). Environment and crime in the inner city. Environ Behav, 33(3), 343–367. doi:10.1177/0013916501333002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lachowycz, K., & Jones, A. (2013). Towards a better understanding of the relationship between greenspace and health: development of a theoretical framework. Landsc Urban Plan, 118, 62–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landry, S. M., & Chakraborty, J. (2009). Street trees and equity: evaluating the spatial distribution of an urban amenity. Environment and Planning A, 41(11), 2651–2670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, L., Jennings, V., & Cloutier, S. A. (2016a). Public parks and wellbeing in urban areas of the United States. PLoS One, 11(4), e0153211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, L., Keith, S., Fernandez, M., Hallo, J. C., Shafer, C. S., & Jennings, V. (2016b). Ecosystem services and urban greenways: what's the public's perspective? Ecosystem Services, 22, Part A, 111–116. doi:10.1016/j.ecoser.2016.10.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Zhang, C., Li, W., Kuzovkina, Y. A., & Weiner, D. (2015). Who lives in greener neighborhoods? The distribution of street greenery and its association with residents’ socioeconomic conditions in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Urban For Urban Green, 14(4), 751–759. doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2015.07.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Locke, D. H., Han, S. H., Kondo, M. C., Murphy-Dunning, C., & Cox, M. (2017). Did community greening reduce crime? Evidence from New Haven, CT, 1996–2007. Landsc Urban Plan, 161, 72–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovasi, G. S., O'Neil-Dunne, J., Lu, J. W. T., Sheehan, D., Perzanowski, M. S., MacFaden, S., King, K., Matte, T., Miller, R., Hoepner, L., Perera, F., & Rundle, A. (2013). Urban tree canopy and asthma, wheeze, rhinitis, and allergic sensitization to tree pollen in a New York City birth cohort. Environ Health Perspect, 121(4), 494–500.

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnachie, M., Shackleton, C. M., & McGregor, G. K. (2008). The extent of public green space and alien plant species in 10 small towns of the Sub-Tropical Thicket Biome, South Africa. Urban For Urban Green, 7(1), 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonnell, M. J., & MacGregor-Fors, I. (2016). The ecological future of cities. Science, 352(6288), 936–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MEA. (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: current state and trends. Retrieved from

  • Mellilo, J., & Sala, O. (2008). Ecosystem services. In E. Chivian & A. Bernstein (Eds.), Sustaining life: how human health depends on biodiversity (pp. 75–115). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, R., & Popham, F. (2008). Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: an observational population study. Lancet, 372(9650), 1655–1660.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, R. J., Richardson, E. A., Shortt, N. K., & Pearce, J. R. (2015). Neighborhood environments and socioeconomic inequalities in mental well-being. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

  • Myers, S., Gaffikin, L., Golden, C., Ostfeld, R., Redford, K., Ricketts, T., Turner, W., & Osofsky, S. (2013). Human health impacts of ecosystem alteration. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 110(47), 18753–18760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Park Service Health and Wellness Executive Steering Committee (2011). Healthy Parks Healthy People US Strategic Action Plan. Retrieved from: https://www.nps.gov/public_health/hp/hphp/press/1012-955-WASO.pdf

  • Oyebode, O., Pape, U. J., Laverty, A. A., Lee, J. T., Bhan, N., & Millett, C. (2015). Rural, urban and migrant differences in non-communicable disease risk-factors in middle income countries: a cross-sectional study of WHO-SAGE Data.

  • Pataki, D. E., Carreiro, M. M., Cherrier, J., Grulke, N., Jennings, V., Pincetl, S., Pouyat, R. V., Whitlow, T. H., & Zipperer, W. C. (2011). Coupling biogeochemical cycles in urban environments: ecosystem services, green solutions, and misconceptions. Front Ecol Environ, 9(1), 27–36. doi:10.1890/090220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Payne-Sturges, D., & Gee, G. C. (2006). National environmental health measures for minority and low-income populations: tracking social disparities in environmental health. Environ Res, 102(2), 154–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perrings, C., Naeem, S., Ahrestani, F., Bunker, D. E., Burkill, P., Canziani, G., Elmqvist, T., Ferrati, R., Fuhrman, J., & Jaksic, F. (2010). Ecosystem services for 2020. Science(Washington), 330(6002), 323–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pham, T.-T.-H., Apparicio, P., Séguin, A.-M., Landry, S., & Gagnon, M. (2012). Spatial distribution of vegetation in Montreal: an uneven distribution or environmental inequity? Landsc Urban Plan, 107(3), 214–224. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.06.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickett, S., Cadenasso, M., Grove, J. M., Boone, C. G., Groffman, P. M., Irwin, E., Kaushal, S. S., Marshall, V., McGrath, B. P., & Nilon, C. H. (2011). Urban ecological systems: scientific foundations and a decade of progress. J Environ Manag, 92(3), 331–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quiroga, L., Fischer, S., & Schweigmann, N. (2013). Immature mosquitoes associated with urban parklands: implications for water and mosquito management. J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 29(1), 27–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, E. A., Mitchell, R., Hartig, T., de Vries, S., Astell-Burt, T., & Frumkin, H. (2012). Green cities and health: a question of scale? J Epidemiol Community Health. doi:10.1136/jech.2011.137240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roe, J., Thompson, C., Aspinall, P., Brewer, M., Duff, E., Miller, D., Mitchell, R., & Clow, A. (2013). Green space and stress: evidence from cortisol measures in deprived urban communities. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 10(9), 4086–4103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity. (2012). Cities and biodiversity: action and policy. Retrieved from Montreal, Canada: https://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbo-booklet-2012-en.pdf.

  • Schwarz, K., Fragkias, M., Boone, C. G., Zhou, W., McHale, M., Grove, J. M., O’Neil-Dunne, J., McFadden, J. P., Buckley, G. L., & Childers, D. (2015). Trees grow on money: urban tree canopy cover and environmental justice. PLoS One, 10(4).

  • Scopelliti, M., Carrus, G., Adinolfi, C., Suarez, G., Colangelo, G., Lafortezza, R., Panno, A., & Sanesi, G. (2016). Staying in touch with nature and well-being in different income groups: the experience of urban parks in Bogotá. Landsc Urban Plan, 148, 139–148. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.11.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanahan, D., Lin, B., Gaston, K., Bush, R., & Fuller, R. (2015a). What is the role of trees and remnant vegetation in attracting people to urban parks? Landsc Ecol, 30(1), 153–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanahan, D. F., Lin, B. B., Bush, R., Gaston, K. J., Dean, J. H., Barber, E., & Fuller, R. A. (2015b). Toward improved public health outcomes from urban nature. Am J Public Health, 105(3), 470–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smiley, K. T., Sharma, T., Steinberg, A., Hodges-Copple, S., Jacobson, E., & Matveeva, L. (2016). More inclusive parks planning: park quality and preferences for park access and amenities. Environmental Justice, 9(1), 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • South, E. C., Kondo, M. C., Cheney, R. A., & Branas, C. C. (2015). Neighborhood blight, stress, and health: a walking trial of urban greening and ambulatory heart rate. Am J Public Health, 105(5), 909–913. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taha, H., Douglas, S., & Haney, J. (1997). Mesoscale meteorological and air quality impacts of increased urban albedo and vegetation. Energy and Buildings, 25(2), 169–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanner, C. J., Adler, F. R., Grimm, N. B., Groffman, P. M., Levin, S. A., Munshi-South, J., Pataki, D. E., Pavao-Zuckerman, M., & Wilson, W. G. (2014). Urban ecology: advancing science and society. Front Ecol Environ, 12(10), 574–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, W. C., Floyd, M. F., Whitt-Glover, M., & Brooks, J. (2007). Environmental justice: a framework for collaboration between the public health and parks and recreation fields to study disparities in physical activity. Journal of Physical Acitivity and Health, 4(1), S50–S63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TEEB. (2008). Ecosystem services. Retrieved from http://www.teebweb.org/resources/ecosystem-services/

  • Tooke, T. R., Klinkenber, B., & Coops, N. C. (2010). A geographical approach to identifying vegetation-related environmental equity in Canadian cities. Environment and planning B, Planning & design, 37(6), 1040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troy, A. R., Grove, J. M., O’Neil-Dunne, J. P., Pickett, S. T., & Cadenasso, M. L. (2007). Predicting opportunities for greening and patterns of vegetation on private urban lands. Environ Manag, 40(3), 394–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troy, A., Grove, J. M., & O’Neil-Dunne, J. (2012). The relationship between tree canopy and crime rates across an urban–rural gradient in the greater Baltimore region. Landsc Urban Plan, 106(3), 262–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, W.-L., Floyd, M. F., Leung, Y.-F., McHale, M. R., & Reich, B. J. (2015). Urban vegetative cover fragmentation in the U.S. Am J Prev Med. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.09.022.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. G., Donato, D. C., & Romme, W. H. (2013). Consequences of spatial heterogeneity for ecosystem services in changing forest landscapes: priorities for future research. Landsc Ecol, 28(6), 1081–1097.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tzoulas, K., Korpela, K., Venn, S., Yli-Pelkonen, V., Kazmierczak, A., Niemela, J., & James, P. (2007). Promoting ecosystem and human health in urban areas using green infrastructure: a literature review. Landsc Urban Plan, 81(3), 167–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Kingdom Department of Health. (2010). Healthy lives, healthy people: our strategy for public health in England (Vol. 7985): The Stationery Office.

  • United Nations (2014). World urbanization prospects: the 2014 revision, highlights. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Population Division, United Nations.

  • van Heezik, Y., Freeman, C., Porter, S., & Dickinson, K. J. (2013). Garden size, householder knowledge, and socio-economic status influence plant and bird diversity at the scale of individual gardens. Ecosystems, 16(8), 1442–1454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vision. (2015). Our cities need more plants and trees—the risks. Retrieved from http://202020vision.com.au/the-issues/climate-environment/risk/

  • Ward Thompson, C., Aspinall, P., Roe, J., Robertson, L., & Miller, D. (2016). Mitigating stress and supporting health in deprived urban communities: the importance of green space and the social environment. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 13(4), 440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watkins, S. L., Mincey, S. K., Vogt, J., & Sweeney, S. P. (2016). Is planting equitable? An examination of the spatial distribution of nonprofit urban tree-planting programs by canopy cover, income, race, and ethnicity. Environment and Behavior, 1–31.

  • Wen, M., Zhang, X., Harris, C. D., Holt, J. B., & Croft, J. B. (2013). Spatial disparities in the distribution of parks and green spaces in the USA. Ann Behav Med, 45(1), 18–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West, S. T., Shores, K. A., & Mudd, L. M. (2012). Association of available parkland, physical activity, and overweight in America's largest cities. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 18(5), 423–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, B. W., Lovell, R., Higgins, S. L., White, M. P., Alcock, I., Osborne, N. J., Husk, K., Sabel, C. E., & Depledge, M. H. (2015). Beyond greenspace: an ecological study of population general health and indicators of natural environment type and quality. Int J Health Geogr, 14(1), 17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO. (2005). Ecosystems and human well being-health synthesis. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/globalchange/ecosystems/ecosys.pdf.

  • Wilson, J. S., Clay, M., Martin, E., Stuckey, D., & Vedder-Risch, K. (2003). Evaluating environmental influences of zoning in urban ecosystems with remote sensing. Remote Sens Environ, 86(3), 303–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolch, J., Byrne, J., & Newell, J. (2014). Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: the challenge of making cities ‘just green enough’. Landsc Urban Plan, 125, 234–244. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.01.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, K. L., & Housley, E. (2013). Feeling stressed? Take a time out in nature. Retrieved from Annapolis, MD.

  • Wolf, K. L., & Robbins, A. S. (2015). Metro nature, environmental health, and economic value. Environ Health Perspect, 123(5), 390–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, H. (2011). Understanding green infrastructure: the development of a contested concept in England. Local Environ, 16(10), 1003–1019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright Wendel, H. E., Downs, J. A., & Mihelcic, J. R. (2011). Assessing equitable access to urban green space: the role of engineered water infrastructure. Environmental Science & Technology, 45(16), 6728–6734. doi:10.1021/es103949f.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J. (2013). Landscape sustainability science: ecosystem services and human well-being in changing landscapes. Landsc Ecol, 28(6), 999–1023. doi:10.1007/s10980-013-9894-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X., & Kim, J. (2013). Social disparities in tree canopy and park accessibility: a case study of six cities in Illinois using GIS and remote sensing. Urban For Urban Green, 12(1), 88–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station - Integrating Human and Natural Systems, 320 Green St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Viniece Jennings

  2. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, 2820 Faucette Drive, Box 8004, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8004, USA

    Myron F. Floyd

  3. Zealandia, 31 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand

    Danielle Shanahan

  4. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland Australia, St. Lucia, Australia

    Danielle Shanahan

  5. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida State University, 113 Collegiate Loop, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-2280, USA

    Christopher Coutts

  6. Department of Geography, The University of North Carolina-Greensboro, 237 Graham Building, 1009 Spring Garden St., Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA

    Alex Sinykin

Authors
  1. Viniece Jennings
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Myron F. Floyd
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Danielle Shanahan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christopher Coutts
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alex Sinykin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Viniece Jennings.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The content in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the federal government.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jennings, V., Floyd, M.F., Shanahan, D. et al. Emerging issues in urban ecology: implications for research, social justice, human health, and well-being. Popul Environ 39, 69–86 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-017-0276-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-017-0276-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation