Landscape and well-being: a scoping study on the health-promoting impact of outdoor environments.
OBJECTIVE
The present literature review conceptualises landscape as a health resource that promotes physical, mental, and social well-being. Different health-promoting landscape characteristics are discussed.


METHODS
This article is based on a scoping study which represents a special kind of qualitative literature review. Over 120 studies have been reviewed in a five-step-procedure, resulting in a heuristic device.


RESULTS
A set of meaningful pathways that link landscape and health have been identified. Landscapes have the potential to promote mental well-being through attention restoration, stress reduction, and the evocation of positive emotions; physical well-being through the promotion of physical activity in daily life as well as leisure time and through walkable environments; and social well-being through social integration, social engagement and participation, and through social support and security.


CONCLUSIONS
This scoping study allows us to systematically describe the potential of landscape as a resource for physical, mental and social well-being. A heuristic framework is presented that can be applied in future studies, facilitating systematic and focused research approaches and informing practical public health interventions.
Abraham
Andrea
A
Division of Social and Behavioural Health Research, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Niesenweg 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Sommerhalder
Kathrin
K
Abel
Thomas
T
D004779:Environment Design; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction