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Has the Pandemic Altered Public Perception of How Local Green Spaces Affect Quality of Life in the United Kingdom?

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  • Alexandra Jane Crossley

    (School of Arts, Francis Close Hall Campus, University of Gloucestershire, Swindon Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4AZ, UK)

  • Alessio Russo

    (School of Arts, Francis Close Hall Campus, University of Gloucestershire, Swindon Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4AZ, UK)

Abstract

Green spaces unquestionably improve both physical and mental health, but there is little information on how they affect quality of life. This study investigates whether the public perception of how local green spaces and their impact on quality of life have altered as a result of restrictions imposed by the U.K.’s SARS-CoV-2 pandemic containment strategy. Qualitative data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed via social media platforms and postal flyers. The results clearly demonstrate that 90% of participants believe that green spaces improved their quality of life during the pandemic, with over 85% thinking that green spaces will continue to have a positive impact on their quality of life once the pandemic is over. Whether this is a permanent change in public thinking or a short-term adaptation to the stresses of the pandemic can be assessed in future research studies. More detailed research is required to understand more clearly the aspects and types of green spaces that are the most valuable for improving quality of life so that future ones can be designed to provide maximum benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Jane Crossley & Alessio Russo, 2022. "Has the Pandemic Altered Public Perception of How Local Green Spaces Affect Quality of Life in the United Kingdom?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7946-:d:851632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Beatrice Andreucci & Alessio Russo & Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo, 2019. "Designing Urban Green Blue Infrastructure for Mental Health and Elderly Wellbeing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-14, November.
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    3. Alessio Russo & Giuseppe T. Cirella, 2020. "Edible Green Infrastructure for Urban Regeneration and Food Security: Case Studies from the Campania Region," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, August.
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    5. Krzysztof Herman & Łukasz Drozda, 2021. "Green Infrastructure in the Time of Social Distancing: Urban Policy and the Tactical Pandemic Urbanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    6. Chad Staddon & Sarah Ward & Laura Vito & Adriana Zuniga-Teran & Andrea K. Gerlak & Yolandi Schoeman & Aimee Hart & Giles Booth, 2018. "Contributions of green infrastructure to enhancing urban resilience," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 330-338, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gonzalo Ríos-Vásquez & Hanns de la Fuente-Mella, 2023. "Mathematical Analysis and Modeling of the Factors That Determine the Quality of Life in the City Councils of Chile," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-31, March.
    2. Hongjik Kim & Chihiro Shimizu, 2022. "The Relationship between Geographic Accessibility to Neighborhood Facilities, Remote Work, and Changes in Neighborhood Satisfaction after the Emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, August.
    3. Andrew Yu & Stephanie Kwan Nga Lam, 2022. "Assessing Open Space in Scotland: Reliability and Construct Validity of the Open Space Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-11, November.

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