The Integration of Urban Green Infrastructure and Its Effects on Physical Health of Adults

Abstract

This review examines the influence of Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) on adult physical health in the context of increasing urbanization. With urban regions projected to house 69% of the global population by 2050, understanding the correlation between UGI, urban environments, and public health is crucial. The Hamilton Sustainability Action Project (HSAP), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing students with meaningful, action-based volunteer experiences, has identified a need to better understand this relationship. By partnering with sustainable organizations such as Cycle Hamilton, Trees for Hamilton, and Royal Botanic Gardens, HSAP has promoted UGI initiatives like planting trees in wetlands and hospitals. To further incentivize more organizations to join their mission of making Hamilton more sustainable, HSAP seeks research to highlight the benefits of UGI on adult physical health. This review prepared by the McMaster Life Sciences department emphasizes the positive link between accessible urban green spaces and increased physical activity among adults, thereby mitigating risks associated with physical inactivity, obesity, and chronic diseases. However, significant knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding how different types of UGI impact specific health conditions, long-term effects, socioeconomic and gender disparities, and scaling challenges from local to citywide levels. Bridging these gaps necessitates interdisciplinary collaboration and comprehensive research efforts to inform evidence-based policies and targeted interventions.