Exploring the levels of availability and access to open/green space and health outcomes The case of Camden, London

Abstract

Green spaces and open spaces, can be a source for network formation and strengthening. This can impact social conditions and therefore influence well-being through knowing friends, making acquaintances and belonging to a larger group that could help with loneliness, isolation and other mental health aspects. Walking is unnoticed in large area models of urban behaviour since it is a common perception of cities being well connected through vehicular movement and accessibility. Neighbourhoods have access to leisure amenities through pedestrian paths around parks, and there are many social influences that prompt a resident to use spaces like cafes, bookstores, shops around open-green spaces. These areas have a combination of social housing units and self-reported health levels. How do we understand the use and access to open-green spaces around regions that have different health levels? Camden, in the heart of London, is a popular and well-facilitated area that has been established by the local council. This area has been a catalyst for development because of its unique spatial position. The parks within Camden have been visibly transformed, however, the extent of usage around the social housing and areas with poor health is unclear. This research focuses on mapping health and its variables and access to green spaces, main areas of high deprivation or other specific variables that are likely to contribute to ill health, particularly in the regions of social housing estates in Camden exploring the problems with access to green parks using Space syntax methods. It also compares the syntactic values of having a small local park within the neighbourhood, as opposed to a larger metropolitan park, outside the neighbourhood but within the borough.