title: Greenspace in urban neighbourhoods and residents' health: adding quality to quantity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research shows a positive link between the amount of green area in one's residential neighbourhood and self-reported health. However, little research has been done on the quality of the green area, as well as on quantity and quality of smaller natural elements in the streetscape. This study investigates the link between the objectively assessed quantity and quality of (1) green areas and (2) streetscape greenery on the one hand and three self-reported health indicators on the other.
  
  
  METHODS
  80 Dutch urban neighbourhoods were selected, varying in the amount of nearby green area per dwelling, as determined by Geographic Information System analysis. The quality of green areas, as well as the quantity and quality of streetscape greenery, was assessed by observers using an audit tool. Residents of each neighbourhood were asked to complete a questionnaire on their own health (N=1641). In multilevel regression analyses, we examined the relationship between greenspace indicators and three health indicators, controlling for socio-demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both indicators for the quantity of greenspace were positively related to all three health indicators. Quantity and quality indicators were substantially correlated in the case of streetscape greenery. Nevertheless, the quality indicators tended to have added predictive value for the health indicators, given that the quantity information was already included in the model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quantity and also the quality of greenspace in one's neighbourhood seem relevant with regard to health. Furthermore, streetscape greenery is at least as strongly related to self-reported health as green areas.
authors.affiliation: Wageningen University, Department of Communication Science, Wageningen, The Netherlands. sjerp.devries@wur.nl
authors.forename: Sonja M E
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: van Dillen
authors.forename: Sjerp
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Peter P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Groenewegen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spreeuwenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004779:Environment Design / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult