Factors influencing usage of urban blue spaces: A systems-based approach to identify leverage points

Niamh Smith; Michail Georgiou; Abby C King; Zoë Tieges; Sebastien Chastin

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102735

Factors influencing usage of urban blue spaces: A systems-based approach to identify leverage points

Health Place. 2022 Jan:73:102735. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102735. Epub 2021 Dec 18.

Authors

Niamh Smith¹, Michail Georgiou², Abby C King³, Zoë Tieges⁴, Sebastien Chastin⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: niamh.smith@gcu.ac.uk.
² School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: michail.georgiou@gcu.ac.uk.
³ Departments of Epidemiology & Population Health and Medicine (Stanford Prevention Research Centre), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. Electronic address: king@stanford.edu.
⁴ Geriatric Medicine, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK; School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: zoe.tieges@gcu.ac.uk.
⁵ School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK; Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium. Electronic address: sebastien.chastin@gcu.ac.uk.

PMID: 34933144
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102735

Abstract

Urban blue spaces may have salutogenic health benefits. It is crucial to understand the factors that influence the use of urban blue spaces so that urban populations can benefit equitably. A system map of factors influencing usage was developed by qualitatively analysing 203 intercept interviews conducted with people actively using the towpath along the canal in North Glasgow, Scotland. Network analysis was used to analyse the system map's structure identifying Exercise & Health and Urban Nature as key leverage points and Cleanliness & Maintenance as the key area for improvement. Findings could be used to inform the management, governance and revitalisation of urban blue spaces with the ultimate aim of maximising their potential to be equitable, sustainable and salutogenic.

Keywords: Blue space; Public health; Qualitative data; Systems analysis; Urban environment.

MeSH terms

Environment*
Exercise*
Humans
Scotland