Can low-cost interventions increase the vitality of public space use and enhance the well-being of users? Researchers from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom conducted a quasi-experimental study to investigate this question. The researchers were also interested in identifying which features of an outdoor space improvement would be most strongly linked to three key behaviors known to enhance well-being.
This study used both directly observed behaviors and self-reported information collected before and after community-led improvements to public space in central Manchester in the U.K. The same information was collected during the same time period in a public space where no such improvements were made (the control). The three behaviors assessed were based on the “Five-Ways to Well-being” framework, which embodies some of the most important actions people can take to improve their well-being. The Five-Ways consists of Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. As the focus of this study was on observed activity and public space design, only the first three behaviors were particularly relevant. For this study, they were defined as follows: (1) Connecting with other people, whether familiar or strangers (e.g., talking and listening); (2) Engaging in physical activity (e.g., competitive or casual ball games); and (3) Taking notice or being aware of one's external environment (e.g., watching wildlife).
Detailed observations of residents' day-to-day outdoor activities were conducted over two 3-week periods (one in 2011 before public space improvements, one in 2012 after improvements) in matched treatment and control spaces. A subset of users (N=212) also completed a short survey focusing primarily on the users' momentary subjective well-being.
Between 2011 and 2012, there was a 230% increase in engaged users in the renewed space (the public space where improvements had been made). There was also a 240% increase in the same people staying longer than 3 minutes in that space. There were significant and substantial increases in Three-Ways behaviors: 394% in Connecting; 648% in Taking Notice; and 23% in Keeping Active. The Keeping Active behaviors primarily represented children playing on the new grass. There were no increases in any of these measures in the control space. The largest changes in behavior were in the outdoor exhibition spaces featuring public art and nature-related exhibits. Benches and picnic tables were also popular gathering and Connecting attractions. The findings of this study suggest that small parks rather than larger parks may be more beneficial for mental rather than physical health outcomes.
This research demonstrates how the implementation of small-scale public-led improvements can promote increased use of public space and well-being activities of the users. Additionally, the methodology used “demonstrated strong feasibility and represents an opportunity to further explore community-led public realm design as an effective population-level health intervention.” The authors offer further implications and areas for investigation.
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