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Green space visits and their impact on citizens' physical health: A case study in the Chania Region

Konstantinou Fani

Πλήρης Εγγραφή

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Περίληψη

Urban green spaces (UGS) are well-established contributors to physiological and physical health (PH), yet research has primarily focused on spatial availability and proximity. Comparatively little attention has been given to UGS visitation patterns, such as frequency, duration, and types of activities, despite their key role in influencing health-related behaviors and outcomes. Addressing this gap, this study investigates how visitation patterns relate to PH and activity levels in Chania, Crete, offering evidence to inform locally responsive planning strategies.A structured, multi-phase statistical approach was employed to analyze data from a 35-item questionnaire administered to a sample of 718 adult residents. The survey captured data on demographics, UGS use, lifestyle behaviors, and self-reported physical and mental health. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability testing, sample representativeness, chi-square tests of independence to investigate associations between UGS use and health outcomes, and logistic regression. In addition, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identified latent dimensions related to UGS quality and health perceptions. Analyses were conducted using SPSS to assess relationships between UGS accessibility, usage behaviors, perceived quality, and various health outcomes.The sample was found to be demographically representative. Reliability analyses confirmed strong internal consistency across key scales. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between UGS accessibility and both behavioral (e.g., frequency and duration of visits, physical activity (PA) engagement) and PH outcomes (e.g., hypertension, cholesterol, coronary artery disease (CAD)). Participants with greater walking distances to UGSs had higher odds of reporting chronic conditions and reduced visit duration. Perceived quality and preferred UGS type were linked to more frequent and prolonged visits. EFA identified eight underlying constructs related to health, UGS use, and well-being, five of which showed acceptable to high internal consistency.The study demonstrates that UGS accessibility, visit duration, and perceived quality are significantly associated with a range of PH outcomes and health-related behaviors. Frequent and sustained engagement with UGSs was linked to improved PA patterns and reduced prevalence of chronic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and CAD. These findings highlight the critical role of urban green infrastructure in supporting population health and reinforce the need for integrated planning and policy efforts that ensure equitable access to high-quality green environments as part of comprehensive public health strategies.

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