The relation between citizen's wellness and their attendance in urban forests, Lithuania

Abstract

Frequently urban territories are expanded by reducing the surrounding green spaces. Over the past decade, the increase in urban areas has led to an obvious lack of well-ordered greenery, especially in new residential areas. Urban forms a healthy and aesthetic environment, improves the composition of air, reduces air pollution and noise, increases air humidity, prevents dust from flying in the air and affects the urban climate. A number of studies have shown that the natural environment has a positive impact on people's health, well-being and physical activity and creates favourable conditions for the population. The aim of the study was to determine relation between urban forests and human health. The questionnaire was distributed to the cities dwellers. More than 500 respondents filled the questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to determine differences in distributions between the groups of respondents. Multivariate analysis methods were applied to identify relations between urban forest attendance and dwellers well-being. The results showed during the summer, about 25 percent of the respondents visited urban forests 4 times a week and more often; in winter time - only one time a month. During the visit dwellers spent 1-3 hours in the forest. 16 percent of respondents felt the stress, fatigue or was in a bad mood or felt distracted at least once a week. It was found relation between resident's well-being and attendance in urban forests.