The Health Effects of Blue and Green Landscapes in Urban Spaces

Azadeh Lak (Shahid beheshti University)
Reihaneh Aghamolaei (University of Tehran)

The concept of public health includes various physical, mental and social factors, where urban blue and green spaces have a positive impact on them. Despite the literature on blue and green spaces is being extended, the topic of the health-promoting role of artificial urban water canals in their neighborhoods is understudied. This study investigates the contribution of water canals as blue and green spaces and also as therapeutic landscapes to its surrounding neighborhoods in Iran. The paper concentrates on addressing the research questions of ‘whether the canal contributes to the improvement of residents’ health and wellbeing as a therapeutic landscape’ and ‘if so, which characteristics of the canal matter most for the healing effect’. To cover the therapeutic landscape dimensions (physical, social and mental), a survey questionnaire with open-ended questions was prepared. The survey was undertaken as a face-to-face interview with the local residents. This research applies qualitative methods of interviews with the residents and content analysis of the transcriptions to examine the therapeutic effect of the canal—improving active life, sense of relaxation, rehabilitation, concentration, social life and place identity. This framework could serve as a guide for further investigations on the contributions of blue and green spaces in the context of an urban canal to the health and wellbeing of local residents. The framework highlights the effects of canals on humans’ health consisting of four dimensions. Firstly, canals play a vital role in promoting active life by encouraging people to be present in blue spaces. Secondly, canals are the fantastic places that make people feel relaxed and restored. Thirdly, canals in Isfahan are the core of social life in neighborhoods and set the stage for social interactions and satisfaction. Lastly, canals in Isfahan are the important symbol of cultural heritage and enhance people’s sense of identity.