TECNALIA has published a paper in the LAND international journal on the assessment of psychosocial benefits in naturalised urban areas
31/01/2025
The paper shows the results of the study carried out within the framework of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project in eight urban areas of the city of Donostia/San Sebastián.
The knowledge generated within the framework of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project continues to add value to scientific research. TECNALIA, one of the project partners, has published a paper in the LAND international journal based on the study carried out in 2022 on the psychosocial benefits of nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban ecosystems.
The paper, entitled "A tool to assess the psychosocial benefits of nature-based solutions in urban ecosystems: Second validation in real environments", presents the results of the second validation phase of a tool specifically designed to measure the impact of NbS on human well-being and social cohesion in urban environments, among others.
Another step forward in the assessment of NbS
As the paper explains, nature-based solutions have been consolidated as key strategies in urban regeneration by improving adaptation to climate change and the resilience of cities. However, until now, the assessment methods of the psychosocial benefits related to these interventions, such as psychological well-being, social cohesion or sense of belonging, have not been sufficiently developed.
The study led by TECNALIA addresses this gap by means of a tool that assesses two main dimensions: on the one hand, perceived health and well-being and, on the other hand, psychosocial benefits, such as social interaction and the perceived safety of public spaces. This methodology was applied in eight urban areas in Donostia/San Sebastián with different degrees of naturalisation and openness.
Key results of the study
The results of the study show that more naturalised spaces, with a higher density of vegetation, integration of elements such as trees and areas of water, provide significantly higher psychosocial benefits compared to less naturalised spaces. In these environments, users reported a greater sense of well-being, relaxation and disconnection from daily stress.
Furthermore, it was observed that the most relevant aspect for users is related to open and accessible spaces, as they contribute to their social cohesion by facilitating interaction between them. The perception of safety was also significantly higher in environments with higher landscape quality and better naturalised design. These findings underline the importance of integrating naturalisation criteria into urban planning to maximise social and psychological benefits.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
The paper also highlights the relationship of this work to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 10 (reducing inequalities) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities). These connections highlight the relevance of NbS not only for environmental sustainability, but also for environmental justice and the health and well-being of people in urban environments.
