Mapping the relationship between green-blue-grey infrastructure (GBGI) and quality of life: A case study of Bristol, UK

West, Harry; Sinnett, Danielle; Bray, Issy

Abstract

Mental health, particularly for urban populations, is a growing public health concern. As urbanisation continues it is important to plan and develop towns and cities that maximise population wellbeing, and related health and social outcomes, whilst also contributing to the sustainability agenda. Understanding how people relate to and feel a sense of belonging in the urban environment is therefore an important research agenda. There is mounting evidence about the importance of green (e.g. parks, trees) and blue (e.g lakes) infrastructure for the health and wellbeing of urban residents. There is also emerging evidence about the benefits of certain ‘grey’ features (e.g. historic buildings, active travel routes).
This paper reports on the preliminary results of a RECLAIM Network Plus project exploring the relationships between Green-Blue-Grey Infrastructure (GBGI) and a range of health and social outcomes in neighbourhoods across Bristol (United Kingdom). Using GIS and spatial analyses we link various GBGI features to self-reported health, social interaction and neighbourhood satisfaction from the Bristol Quality of Life Survey - an annual city-wide survey conducted since 2001. Multiple GBGI factors such as tree density, distance to quality green and blue spaces, and the presence of historic buildings and transport infrastructure are considered.
By exploring the relationship between different GBGI and self-reported quality of life we aim to be able to better understand the importance of these features for improving people’s lives and reducing inequalities within neighbourhoods and across the city. The evidence we produce we hope will further our understanding of how citizens relate to their urban environment, and will help more inclusive decisions to made by local councils about investment to ensure that all residents, wherever they live, benefit from GBGI which enhance quality of life for urban communities.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: European Urban Research Association Conference
• Start Date: Jun 22, 2023
• End Date: Jun 24, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 28, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 29, 2023
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10892397