Quantity or quality? Exploring the association between public open space and mental health in urban China

Public open space (POS) is a component of the urban built environment that is considered crucial for people's mental health. Most studies, however, have focused on the quantity of POS, and those investigating the association between POS quality and mental health are limited. Through a 2018 survey of 590 residents and 160 POSs in Zhuhai, this study explored the association between both the quantity and quality attributes of POS and residents' mental health in urban China. We employed an audit tool (POST) to measure POS quality and decomposed it into four attributes: activity, environmental quality, amenities, and safety. The statistical analyses suggest that POS quality is important for positive mental wellbeing, while, among the four attributes, activity and environment attributes are significantly associated with better mental health. The findings not only shed light on the potential mechanism of POS' impact on mental health, but also help urban planners and policymakers develop an evidence-based approach to healthy cities.

Automated summary

This study examined the association between both the quantity and quality attributes of Public Open Spaces (POS) and residents' mental health in urban China through a survey in Zhuhai. The findings suggest that POS quality, particularly activity and environmental attributes, are significantly associated with better mental health outcomes, highlighting the importance of considering POS quality in urban planning for promoting mental wellbeing.