Papers by Mardie Townsend
Nursing Older People, Apr 1, 2008
This chapter aims to demonstrate that the natural environment is a key determinant of human healt... more This chapter aims to demonstrate that the natural environment is a key determinant of human health. Natural environments are defined as organic environments where the majority of ecosystem processes are present (e.g. the cycle of life and death, reproduction, relationships between species). Including a spectrum of different environments ranging from wilderness areas in National Parks to farms, and human constructed gardens, 'natural' does not necessarily mean unaffected by human intervention. 'Nature' can also refer to any single element of the natural environment (such as plants, animals, soil and water), including domestic and companion animals as well as cultivated plants. The term 'natural environment' differs from the more usual use of the term 'environment' in that it can be a setting in itself, or it can be an element of other settings, including our homes, workplaces and schools.
Health issues, 2011
This article describes the findings of a research study that investigated the factors (including ... more This article describes the findings of a research study that investigated the factors (including access to nature such as parks, gardens and bodies of water) impacting on inner city high-rise residents' health and wellbeing. The findings revealed that a range of factors impact on ...
Research on the health and wellbeing benefits of contact with animals and plants indicates the na... more Research on the health and wellbeing benefits of contact with animals and plants indicates the natural environment may have significant positive psychological and physiological effects on human health and wellbeing. In terms of children, studies have demonstrated that children function better cognitively and emotionally in \u27green\u27 environments and have more creative play. In Australia as well as internationally, many schools appear to be incorporating nature-based activities into their curricula, mostly via sustainability education. Although these programs appear to be successful, few have been evaluated, particularly in terms of the potential benefits to health and wellbeing. This paper reports on a pilot survey investigating the mental health benefits of contact with nature for primary school children in Melbourne, Australia. A survey of principals and teachers was conducted in urban primary schools within a 20km radius of Melbourne. As well as gathering data on the types an...
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2018
This article describes experiences of users (staff, patients and visitors) who have had access to... more This article describes experiences of users (staff, patients and visitors) who have had access to green spaces within an urban healthcare setting. A systematic mixed studies review was undertaken to review the quantitative and qualitative evidence on user experiences during passive/quasi passive access to green spaces within a healthcare setting, as well to review the methodological quality of the studies eligible for inclusion. A total of 24 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. User experiences were classified under three key themes on experiencing "control, choice, escape, privacy and autonomy", "opportunities for socialisation" and "engagement with and stimulation by nature". The findings can be explained by theories of human-nature interaction and are likely to contribute towards generating convincing, credible and usable evidence on the topic. Cohesively, this article highlights the importance of incorporating green spaces into urban healthcare settings and contributes to the evidence base accessible to designers, planners, policy makers and hospital administrators who aim to create and support health promoting settings.
Healthy Cities, 2017
What is urban greening and why should we do it? How is it done and what gets in the way of us doi... more What is urban greening and why should we do it? How is it done and what gets in the way of us doing it more? This chapter introduces the notion of ‘greening the city’ and provides a rationale for such greening, based on evidence of the benefits of such greening for human, as well as ecosystem, health. It describes a range of approaches to urban greening, highlighting particular examples of their application around the world, and identifies a number of factors that prevent or discourage urban greening. The chapter concludes by placing the onus on us all, as individual citizens, as communities, as policy and decision makers and as practitioners, to identify and overcome the barriers to greening the city, so that our basic, evolutionary, human need for contact with nature may be met.
… on Ecosystem Health in Australia (2003: …, 2003
Townsend, Mardie and Maller, Cecily 2003, Sustaining people and places, in Proceedings of the Air... more Townsend, Mardie and Maller, Cecily 2003, Sustaining people and places, in Proceedings of the Airs Waters Places Transdisciplinary Conference on Ecosystems in Australia : the University of Newcastle, April 14-15-16, 2003, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, pp. 265-278.
Making Things Greener, 2018
Oxford Textbook of Nature and Public Health, 2018
Evidence of declining well-being and increasing rates of depression and other mental illnesses ha... more Evidence of declining well-being and increasing rates of depression and other mental illnesses has been linked with modern humans’ separation from nature. Landscapes become therapeutic when physical and built environments, social conditions, and human perceptions combine. Highlighting the contextual factors underpinning this separation from nature, this chapter outlines three Australian case studies to illustrate the links between therapeutic landscapes, restorative environments, place attachment, and well-being. Case study 1, a quantitative study of 452 park users near Melbourne, Victoria, focuses on place attachment and explored the links between pro-environmental behaviour and psychological well-being. Case study 2, a small pilot mixed-methods study in a rural area of Victoria, explores the restorative potential of hands-on nature-based activities for people suffering depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Case study 3, a qualitative study of users’ experiences of accessing h...
Choice Reviews Online, 2005
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 2018
This review describes the facilitators and barriers impacting on passive access to green spaces w... more This review describes the facilitators and barriers impacting on passive access to green spaces within healthcare settings. A systematic mixed-studies review was undertaken to review the quantitative and qualitative evidence on access to green spaces within healthcare settings, as well as to review the methodological quality of the studies eligible for inclusion. A total of 24 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The barriers to access were grouped into three themes: “awareness,” “accessibility,” and “comfort.” The facilitators were grouped into 13 themes: “flora and foliage,” “views,” “water features,” “sun, rain, fresh air, wind,” “animal life,” “diverse textures, heights, shapes,” “lawn,” “natural versus artificial material,” “rest areas,” “shade,” “private areas,” “play equipment,” and “safety.” These findings can be explained through multiple lenses, using existing theories on contact with nature and supportive garden design. In an era of elevate...
Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 2013
The right to freedom of expression of sexual orientation and identity among older people living i... more The right to freedom of expression of sexual orientation and identity among older people living in institutional settings is challenged by several specific issues. The aim of the present article is to identity such challenges and discuss about how to remove them or, at least, mitigate their impact. To do so, firstly we describe the context of sexual stigma associated to LGBT people, and how such stigma could be even greater in the case of LGBT older people. Secondly, we discuss LGBT fears and expectation regarding institutional care, as well as attitudes towards such collective held by members of staff and other heterosexual residents. Finally, we pose several proposals to guarantee sexual rights of LGTB people living in long term care institutions for older people.
Journal of Family Studies, 2000
This paper reports on a participatory research project conducted in two Victorian rural communiti... more This paper reports on a participatory research project conducted in two Victorian rural communities during 1998–1999: one Mallee town and one Western District town.The inspiration for this research came from the changes that have occurred in rural areas of Australia over the past two decades, together with the political neglect of the needs of electoral constituents in rural areas. The aim of the project was to gain an understanding of participants’ perceptions of the cumulative impacts on the wellbeing of the community (represented by local families) resulting from wide-ranging policy changes, especially local government amalgamations, which have affected rural communities over recent years. Data were collected through the use of interviews with residents in the towns and also secondary sources. Findings of the study indicated that, in each community respectively, members have similar understandings of the changes that have occurred within local legislatures and industries, and in the provision of health care, public utilities, and education. It is argued that not only is the health and wellbeing of rural populations an issue, but the wellbeing of entire communities is under threat from the cumulative effects of policy changes.
Health is inherently 'ecological' and the natural environment plays a crucial role in hum... more Health is inherently 'ecological' and the natural environment plays a crucial role in human health and well-being. Yet we do not necessarily design, manage or market such areas in ways that acknowledge this link. This paper draws on recent research by a Deakin University team exploring the links between use of and involvement in the maintenance of forests/woodlands, and health and well-being outcomes. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been used to collect data from forest/woodland users and tram volunteers contributing to management and maintenance of such areas, concerning their perceptions of the impacts of the experience on their health and well-being. In two of the projects, samples of 'users' and 'volunteers' were compared with samples 'non-users' and 'non-volunteers'. Several of the studies included the use of scales of self-rated health, social cohesion, and frequency of use of medical services.The studies have identified a rang...
‘I like to think when I’m gone I will have left this a better place’
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Papers by Mardie Townsend