Impact of a riverside accessibility intervention on use, physical activity, and wellbeing: A mixed methods pre-post evaluation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103611
• Publication Date: 2019-07-13T05:49:31Z
• Authors: Cristina Vert; Glòria Carrasco-T...; Wilma Zijlema; Ana Espinosa; Lia Cano-Riu; Lewis R. Elliott; Jill Litt; Mark J. Nieuwenhu...; Mireia Gascon
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 0305 other medical science; 01 natural sciences; 796; 3. Good health; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Abstract Introduction Access to natural outdoor environments can promote physical activity, social cohesion, and improved psychological well-being. In 2016, an urban riverside regeneration project to facilitate access to the riverbank for pedestrians and cyclists was conducted in Barcelona (Spain). We aim to evaluate its effect in terms of changes in use and physical activity of users, and changes in local’s use and perception of the urban riverside, and their corresponding self-perceived health and well-being. Methods We conducted systematic observations, before and after the intervention, using the System for Observing Parks and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to quantify the use and physical activity levels of users and compared them over time. Qualitative assessment consisted of semi-structured face-to-face interviews with the locals. Results We observed a 25% increase in users of the renovated area of the river after the intervention. There was an increase in sedentary users and those engaged in moderate levels of physical activity [7.7% vs. 12.0% sedentary users, and 66.9% vs. 68.7% moderately active users before and after the intervention respectively, p Conclusions Nature-based interventions in socioeconomically-deprived neighbourhoods might reduce inequalities in access to natural areas, creating attractive destinations for residents, promoting physical activity and/or creating opportunities for social interactions, and improving their health and well-being.