The Association between Urban Green Space Access and Self-Reported Stress in a Low-Income South African Township: A Cross-Sectional Study from Alexandra, 2012

Rapid urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa frequently leads to dense settlements with minimal environmental amenities. While access to urban green space is thought to confer psychological benefits, empirical evidence from low-income, high-density township environments remains limited. This study investigated the association between self-reported access to urban green space and self-reported stress levels among adults living in a low-income South African township. A cross-sectional, community-based survey was conducted in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Adult residents were recruited through door-to-door sampling. A structured questionnaire collected data on socio-demographics, self-reported stress using a validated scale, and self-reported walking time to the nearest usable green space. Logistic regression analysed the association, adjusting for confounders including age, sex, and employment status. Among 422 participants, 68% reported high or very high stress. Residents who reported green space access within a 10-minute walk had 40% lower odds of reporting high stress levels compared to those with poorer access, after adjustment (Adjusted Odds Ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.38–0.94). Better self-reported access to urban green space was significantly associated with lower self-reported stress in this township setting. This supports the potential of proximate green infrastructure as a resource for mental wellbeing in low-income urban areas. Urban planning and public health policy should prioritise the creation, protection, and equitable distribution of accessible green spaces within low-income residential areas. Further research using longitudinal designs and objective measures is warranted. Urban health, green space, psychological stress, townships, South Africa, cross-sectional study This study provides empirical evidence on the green space-stress relationship in a typical, under-studied low-income urban African context, informing public health and urban planning discourse.