Greening the Continents for Human Performance A Study of the University Of Lagos and North West University Green Spaces Utilization
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
摘要
Global change is one of the major challenges of the present day and it adds considerable stress to our societies and to the environment. The global climate change agenda cuts across all the domains of society including work and educational settings. The study explored the utilization of green spaces in the University of Lagos, Nigeria and North West University, South Africa with the central aim of exploring the availability of green spaces in the two campuses with a behavior mapping technique to observe how the areas are being utilized. The study locations were the Lagoon Front at the University of Lagos and the Student Union Building lawn, Mafikeng Campus, South Africa. The study deployed the use of an observational method specifically behavior mapping to map the utilization of the green spaces on the two campuses. The observation continued until no new themes emerged, the themes revealed that students utilized the green areas for recreational activities, which included browsing/computer use, phone calls/chatting, reading, copying of notes and social interaction. It was also observed that the utilization of Lagoon fronts spanned beyond recreational use, people were observed doing dance rehearsals, photo shoots, musical video shoots, parties, small gatherings and religion-related activities. The study concluded that green spaces are well utilized in the institutions of learning in Africa, and this makes the institutions align with the global climate change agenda. Therefore, we recommended that all institutions should make unprecedented efforts to ensure that all institutions cooperate to provide for adequate green spaces to enhance the greening of the continents and for the overall well-being of all learners irrespective of age, class and status which will also have a significant influence on their mental wellbeing and relaxation.
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##
##submission.howToCite##
参考
Amidu Owolabi, Ayeni & Odofin, Emmanuel. (2023). Green Spaces Usage by Students in Selected Lagos Tertiary Institutions. Benin Journal of Geography, Planning and Environment (BJGPE) 3 (1), 223 – 238
Astell-Burt T., Feng X. (2019). Association of urban green space with mental health and general health among adults in Australia. JAMA Netw. Open. ;2:e198209. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.8209.
Bowler, D.E., Buyung-Ali, L.M., Knight, T.M., & Pullin A.S.(2010). A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments. BMC Public Health.;10.
Gernes R., Brokamp C., Rice G.E., Wright J.M., Kondo M.C., Michael Y.L., Donovan G.H., Gatziolis D., Bernstein D., LeMasters G.K., et al. (2019). Using high-resolution residential greenspace measures in an urban environment to assess risks of allergy outcomes in children. Sci. Total Environ. 2019;668:760–767. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv..03.009.
Kondo MC, Fluehr JM, McKeon T, Branas CC. (2018). Urban green space and its impact on human health. Vol. 15, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.. p. 445.
MacKerron, George and Mourato, Susana (2013) Happiness is greater in natural environments. Global environmental change. ISSN 0959-3780
Markevych I., Schoierer J., Hartig T., Chudnovsky A., Hystad P., Dzhambov A.M., de Vries S., Triguero-Mas M., Brauer M., Nieuwenhuijsen M.Jcd., et al. (2017). Exploring pathways linking greenspace to health: Theoretical and methodological guidance. Environ. Res. 2017;158:301–317. doi: 10.1016/j.envres..06.028.
McCormack G.R., Rock M., Toohey A.M., Hignell D. (2010). Characteristics of urban parks associated with park use and physical activity: A review of qualitative research. Health Place. ;16:712–726. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2010.03.003. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Southon, G. E., Jorgensen, A., Dunnett, N., Hoyle, H., & Evans,K. L. (2018). Perceived species-richness in urban greenspaces: Cues, accuracy and well-being impacts. Landscape and Urban Planning, 172, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.12.002
Coventry PA, Brown Jennifer VE, Pervin J, et al.(2021). Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SSM – Population Health. 2021;16. doi:10.1016/j.ssmph..100934
University of Colorado press release 2 February 2017. Available at: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-02/uoca-cgt020217.php
White MP, Alcock I, Grellier J, et al. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep. 9(1):7730. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3
Wu J., & Jackson L. (2017). Inverse relationship between urban green space and childhood autism in California elementary school districts. Environ. Int.107:140–146. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.07.010.
Jiang X., Larsen L. & Sullivan W. (2020). Connections between daily greenness exposure and health outcomes. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 17:3965. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17113965.