Environmental Psychologist Dr Mathew White provides an insight into research that finds people report improved well-being when living near to green spaces such as parks and forests.
Portuguese landscape architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles was awarded today in Auckland with the highest landscape architecture award - Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe (IFLA award).
Gonçalo Ribeirto Telles is an envisioned man who since 1960′s has been giving voice and contributing to the development of a landscape policy in Portugal. He has been responsible by several project across scales, from region-wide landscape planning to the design of small parks and gardens. Noteworthy is the development of City of Lisbon Green Plan and the Gulbenkian gardens.
Above: Gulbenkian gardens photos
“I am doing some extra research on allotment gardens and in how they are becoming more and more important within the urban context. So I came across with this article in The Telegraph, from two years ago.
Dutch researchers have found that allotment keepers in their 60s tend to be significantly healthier than their more sedentary neighbours. While plenty of anecdotal evidence exists to suggest growing one’s own fruit and vegetables protects against ill-health, no one had carried out such a direct comparison before.
Agnes van den Berg, from Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands, said: Taken together, our findings provide the first direct empirical evidence for health benefits of allotment gardens. Having an allotment garden may promote an active life-style and contribute to healthy ageing.
Considering that allotments may play a vital role in developing active and healthy lifestyles, governments and local authorities might do well to protect and enhance them.“
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8151638/Allotments-really-are-good-for-your-health.html
Allotment holders on Clapham Common, 1940. Via
Walking and listening music is certainly a nice way to discover and experience landscape. A friend introduced me to this project and I found it quite inspiring.
Sonic Journeys commissions artists to create new works inspired by specific stretches of landscape experienced on rural and urban journeys. The music is available for download so that you can listen to it as you take the same journey with the help of a map.
That is the case of Adrian Utley from Portishead who has created a new piece of music in response to a walk amongst the remarkable ancient trees at the National Trust’s Croft Castle in Herefordshire, including the 1000 year old ‘Quarry Oak’, unique triple chestnut avenue and mysterious ancient hawthorns.
Quite a while ago I found this research project called MAPPINESS. Basically, researchers at the London School of Economics are trying to look into how people’s happiness is affected by their local environment.
You just have to install an app on your iPhone and every time it beeps you are asked how you’re feeling, and a few basic things to control for: who you’re with, where you are, what you’re doing (if you’re outdoors, you can also take a photo)
Worth to have a look at http://www.mappiness.org.uk/
Autumn at Parque de Serralves, Porto, PT
If is there a moment which combines beauty, sadness and cleverness such moment is the Autumn. Facing the eminent death, the foliage of trees and shrubs presents us with the most amazing spectacle of colours until its complete fall. This happening is nothing but a cleaver strategy for saving energy and protect themselves against the harsh Winter. Later on the rebirth will happen and a new cycle begins.
How does the seasonal change affects you? What are your feelings and sensations towards Autumnal events? Please leave a comment.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens – UK
