مقاله انگلیسی رایگان در مورد شاخص هایی برای حمایت از باغبانی شهری سالم در مدیریت شهری (الزویر)

There is increasing interest in green space supporting healthy living because of rapid urbanization, climate change and aging of populations (EU, 2015; WHO, 2015a; WHO, 2015b; EEA, 2016; WHO, 2016). We previously showed that green spaces may contribute to human health and well-being by creating a living environment that promotes physical activity (Claessens et al., 2014). In addition, they facilitate stress reduction and social contacts (Claessens et al., 2014; Hartig et al., 2014; WHO, 2016). Recently, it has been suggested that urban gardens have similar and additional health benefits by facilitating healthy food consumption and socially cohesive communities (Alaimo et al., 2016; Al-Delaimy and Webb, 2017) although quantitative evidence is still scarce (Soga et al., 2017). In this paper, we define health indicators to assess and evaluate these benefits based on a literature review. We also identified healthrelevant ecosystem and management indicators. Altogether, these indicators may identify and pursue potential synergies between ecosystem and human health targets of different stakeholders. Together, they can make a stronger case for urban green management actions. The initiators of urban gardens are often citizens, who seek (financial) support from the local government. Urban managers are confronted with the costs of these activities and the potential risks of soil pollution. They have to motivate costs and land use in the context of competing land use and social services, e.g. the provisioning of adequate housing. The typical scenario has been for gardens to be established on land which is considered to have little market value. At the end of the crisis, however, governments might withdraw their support and focus instead on profitable real estate development on former garden plots. One way to motivate the preserve of the gardens, is to focus on the benefits that they may offer for the living environment, and thereby for public health. Like green spaces, they may contribute to an attractive environment to exercise, play, relax and meet people. Stimulating these kinds of activities is the aim of many evidence-based health interventions, as they are known determinants of public health (Staatsen et al., 2017). Healthy behavior may prevent the development of chronic diseases and associated health care costs. Another way is to point towards the optimal use of urban nature resources (‘natural capital’) which can facilitate the city and its citizens to advance socially and economically, which are also considered to be aspects of public health. Thus, urban gardening may be regarded as a behavior based environmental health intervention. But what is the evidence of these kind of positive effects of urban gardening and how do we measure them? Ideally, local governments and other stakeholders are able to weigh costs against social profits, including health. Defining indicators of positive effects is a first step towards such a valuation.