Urban Analytics Series: Green Space Accessibility and Mental Health

In this seminar, Dr. Kwan Ok Lee from the National University of Singapore (NUS) will present her latest research on the effects of green space accessibility on mental health, recently published in Nature Mental Health. The study explores how proximity to and the quality of green spaces contribute to psychological well-being, emphasizing the potential benefits of urban planning that prioritizes access to natural environments. By leveraging mobility data from 2 million mobile phone users and advanced analytical techniques, Dr. Lee's research demonstrates that individuals who lived close to green spaces experienced much less mental distress than those who lived farther away during lockdown periods. This seminar will provide valuable insights for academics, policymakers, and urban planners interested in enhancing mental health outcomes through environmental design.