Green Among the Concrete: Access to Biodiversity in Urban Spaces as a Determinant of Well-Being

Prior research has long confirmed something that many of us know intuitively: that time spent in nature is good for our happiness and well-being. But for those living in cities, natural spaces and biodiversity are preciously scarce, and access to such spaces is often unequal. How do disparities in access to urban biodiversity affect human well-being? Examining data from across the country, this research team aims to find out.

plants growing in a city
Paige Warren (Environmental Conservation), and Nathan Chan Resource Economics)

From left: Paige Warren (Environmental Conservation), and Nathan Chan Resource Economics)

Prior research has long confirmed something that many of us know intuitively: that time spent in nature is good for our happiness and well-being. But for those living in cities, natural spaces and biodiversity are often preciously scarce.

Moreover, in many cities, only the wealthiest neighborhoods offer access to urban nature. Among the countless other disparities in quality of life between wealthier and poorer urban areas, how does this disparity in access to nature impact overall well-being?

This project seeks to measure both the value of daily exposure to urban biodiversity for human well-being; and how disparities in access to that biodiversity contribute to wider inequities in human well-being. The cross-disciplinary team will examine these questions using large datasets from cities across the United States measuring both urban biodiversity and metrics of human well-being.

The researchers hope their work will help inform communities and policymakers in their efforts to enhance access to urban nature in cities, provide hands-on research experience for graduate students, and create a foundation for further research and collaborations with cities and communities to address disparities in green spaces.