by James A. Bacon
Biologist and philosopher E.O. Wilson coined the term “biophilia” to describe humans’ deeply rooted love of life and nature — a sentiment that may be a product of man’s biological evolution. It is human nature to take delight in the presence of wildlife (at least the kind that doesn’t eat you), trees, flowers and bodies of water. Even as mankind moves toward an increasingly urban environment largely for economic reasons, people don’t lose their love of greenery. A manifestation of biophilia in affluent societies is the mania for creating parks, nature preserves and green corridors.
Now a study published in the journal of Environmental Science and Technology shows that moving from a less-green urban environment to a more-green one can lead to lasting positive changes in mental well-being.
Using data from over 1,000 participants, the research team at the University of Exeter Medical School focused on two groups of people: those who moved to greener urban areas, and those who relocated to less green urban areas.
They found that, on average, movers to greener areas experienced an immediate improvement in mental health that was sustained for at least 3 years after they moved. The study also showed that people relocating to a more built up area suffered a drop in mental health. Interestingly this fall occurred before they moved; returning to normal once the move was complete.
Some will be tempted to conclude that the results reflect little more than greenie-weenie wishful thinking. I might have the same reaction were it not for that fact that the findings are entirely consistent with studies showing that proximity to parks and green space lends a boost to property values. There can be no clearer demonstration of peoples’ biophilia than the near-universal willingness to pay a premium for views of trees, woods, gardens, rivers, streams, ponds, oceans and mountains.
In the knowledge economy, economic development blends into community development. Creating places where people enjoy living and spending time is a key not only to bolstering property values and, by extension, the tax base, but to recruiting and retaining educated, skilled and creative people who power economic growth. What once was dismissed as the fussing over parks and trees and flowers — the preserve of little-old ladies in the Garden Club — has been transformed into the art of “place making.”
Here in Richmond, a group has emerged that takes green place making seriously. Beautiful RVA is a regional coalition of public, private and not-for-profit groups “invested in improving the quality of life in greater Richmond through public horticulture, urban greening and beautiful place-making initiatives.” Organized by the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Beautiful RVA meets every other month, typically showcasing place-making initiatives around the region, supporting networking, propelling dialogue and sharing best practices. Randee Humphrey, director of education, sends out periodic emails recapping place-making news with links to local media.
Beautiful RVA is little known outside of the narrow circle to whose interests it caters. But pulling together people passionate about parks, trees, beautification, clean water and urban wildlife, and getting them to work together to create a more livable region, represents a huge step forward.
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