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Gender Disparity in Perceived Urban Green Space and Subjective Health and Well-Being in China: Implications for Sustainable Urban Greening

Author

Listed:
  • Xueli Li

    (College of Economic and Management, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China)

  • Lee Liu

    (School of Geoscience, Physics, and Safety, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO 64093, USA
    School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China)

  • Zhenguo Zhang

    (College of Economic and Management, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China)

  • Wenzhong Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geograhpic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Dazhi Liu

    (College of Economic and Management, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China)

  • Yafen Feng

    (College of Geographical Science and Tourism, Jiaying University, Meizhou 514015, China)

Abstract

It is generally agreed that green space has a positive effect on the health and well-being of urban residents. A number of papers have studied the relationship between green space and various sociodemographic characteristics; however, little is known about how perceptions of green space affect health and well-being differently between men and women. Such knowledge is significant for informing policy makers in designing urban green space to benefit the health and well-being of all people. In addition, urban greening has rarely been studied in the context of the UN 2030 Agenda and the UN New Urban Agenda. This study examines gender disparities in perceived green space and health and well-being, the effect of perceived green space, personal, and family variables on subjective health and well-being, and the interactive effects of perceived green space, personal, and family variables on health and well-being. The analyses were based on a survey of 9325 participants in 40 Chinese cities, using the Geographical Detector method. The results suggest that men tend to have a higher perception of green space but lower subjective health and well-being than women. Compared to health, well-being is more affected by perception of urban green space and personal and family factors. Perception of urban green space has a higher effect on men’s health and well-being than women’s. Women’s health and well-being tends to be more affected by personal and family factors than men’s. There are clear interactive effects of perceived green space, personal, and family variables on health and well-being. The combined effect is greater than the sum of individual effects on health and well-being, suggesting complexity in sustainable urban green space development with attention to gender equality in the context of the UN Agendas for sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Xueli Li & Lee Liu & Zhenguo Zhang & Wenzhong Zhang & Dazhi Liu & Yafen Feng, 2020. "Gender Disparity in Perceived Urban Green Space and Subjective Health and Well-Being in China: Implications for Sustainable Urban Greening," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10538-:d:463264
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richardson, Elizabeth A. & Mitchell, Richard, 2010. "Gender differences in relationships between urban green space and health in the United Kingdom," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(3), pages 568-575, August.
    2. Samuelsson, Karl & Barthel, Stephan & Colding, Johan & Macassa, Gloria & Giusti, Matteo, 2020. "Urban nature as a source of resilience during social distancing amidst the coronavirus pandemic," OSF Preprints 3wx5a, Center for Open Science.
    3. Cohen, D.A. & McKenzie, T.L. & Sehgal, A. & Williamson, S. & Golinelli, D. & Lurie, N., 2007. "Contribution of public parks to physical activity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(3), pages 509-514.
    4. Liu, Lee, 2019. "China's dusty lung crisis: Rural-urban health inequity as social and spatial injustice," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 233(C), pages 218-228.
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    1. Peter Barlow & Sean Lyons & Anne Nolan, 2021. "How Perceived Adequacy of Open Public Space Is Related to Objective Green Space and Individuals’ Opinions of Area-Level Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Mariana Cernicova-Buca & Vasile Gherheș & Ciprian Obrad, 2023. "Residents’ Satisfaction with Green Spaces and Daily Life in Small Urban Settings: Romanian Perspectives," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Milan Lalić & Milka Bubalo Živković & Bojan Đerčan & Dragana Tekić, 2024. "Quality of Life as a Limiting Factor in the Development of the Region along the Great Bačka Canal (Serbia)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-34, March.
    4. Andreia Teixeira & Ronaldo Gabriel & José Martinho & Irene Oliveira & Mário Santos & Graça Pinto & Helena Moreira, 2023. "Distance to Natural Environments, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Body Composition in Women: An Exploratory Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.

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