How to Boost Health and Wellbeing Through Landscape Design

In a world where urban spaces are becoming denser and apartment dwelling is becoming more popular, creating small moments of repose and connectivity with nature is essential, both to our physical and emotional wellbeing. We often seek public spaces of nature for this relaxation, however, the same feelings can be elicited in our very own garden or amidst the city’s urban landscape. 

Through extensive scientific research, it has been proven that nature and natural landscapes have a positive impact on human’s health and feelings of general wellness. According to a study undertaken in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, those who visited natural spaces once or more per week reported better health whilst “nature connectedness was positively related to eudaimonic well-being, pro-environmental behaviours and moderated relationships between nature contact and outcome variables amongst other beneficial attributes”. What’s more, a study titled, Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective by Gregory N Bratman and associates, details the ways in which exposure to nature assists with improved social interactions, happiness levels, feeling of purpose, improved sleep and stress reduction. 

Bearing this in mind, the importance of greenspaces and efficient landscape design on human’s wellness and happiness is irrefutable. Amongst the many elements, there are two simple key ways to boost health and wellbeing to landscape design. The first is to incorporate biodiversity into Landscape Design. As discussed in our previous article about How we can improve biodiversity in urban and regional areas (INSERT LINK TO ARTICLE), native australian plants, a rich biodiverse landscape and abundance of natural diversity is an excellent way to improve wellbeing, both physical and mental. 

The second is to create spaces that foster community and shared human interactions. It has been proven that human connection is paramount to reducing stress levels and maintaining a healthy attitude. This can be achieved through park spaces, communal gardens and public amenities that allow for social engagement. Plazas are a key way to integrate greenery in dense urban spaces. Popular urban spaces such as Yagan Square in Melbourne and Central Park in Sydney offer citysiders the perfect space to unwind and connect amidst the bustle of the burgeoning city life. 

What’s more, through considered landscape design, our cities can house the amenities to encourage people to be more active, and incorporate more movement through their routines. Be it through a beautiful park walk or tree-lined foot and cycle paths, landscape design can change the way that cities function, offering clever corners and pockets of beauty and immersion with nature. 

“Popular urban spaces such as Yagan Square in Melbourne and Central Park in Sydney offer citysiders the perfect space to unwind and connect amidst the bustle of the burgeoning city life.”

“Popular urban spaces such as Yagan Square in Melbourne and Central Park in Sydney offer citysiders the perfect space to unwind and connect amidst the bustle of the burgeoning city life.”