Green Care: A Conceptual Framework - Frisk i naturen
Green Care: A Conceptual Framework - Frisk i naturen
Green Care: A Conceptual Framework - Frisk i naturen
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in urban and rural areas, and often it is those who do not access nature<br />
who could benefit from it the most. These barriers are varied and recent<br />
studies have shown that there are physical, social and cultural reasons why<br />
people do not access nature, even if there are local greenspaces present<br />
(see: Countryside Recreation Network. 2001; Pretty et al, 2005). When<br />
deciding on or developing a greenspace to be used for green care activities,<br />
maximum accessibility and inclusion will be achieved when these barriers<br />
are addressed.<br />
Accessibility is therefore a factor of person-environment fit and refers to<br />
the degree to which people with different abilities are able to access the<br />
environment. Physical accessibility is often emphasized due to planning<br />
norms or regulation in different countries; cognitive accessibility refers<br />
to the environment in which the information needed to move and act is<br />
understandable to the users; and social accessibility includes welcoming<br />
atmosphere and the feelings of security and safety.<br />
In green care environments different levels of accessibility can be<br />
implemented depending on the functional abilities and needs of clients<br />
and the targets of interventions. The norms for physical accessibility are<br />
relatively universal, so they can be applied rather broadly in different<br />
environments and concern the dimensions, inclination and deviation of<br />
pathways, paving materials, and colours, the placement of signing and<br />
resting places and what kind of furnishing to use (for example, SuRaKu,<br />
2008). Practical considerations regarding vegetation would preclude<br />
poisonous, thorny and common plants causing allergic reactions; plants<br />
which drop their fruits or berries on the pathways; dense vegetation<br />
which may obstruct movement and visual exploration. In addition to<br />
practical considerations, participants must also feel welcomed and safe,<br />
in a culturally sensitive environment and at ease in the chosen natural<br />
environment. Physical, cognitive and social accessibility are particularly<br />
important considerations for green care where greenspaces are targeted for<br />
use by vulnerable people.<br />
5.3.2 Urban greening<br />
In addition to providing accessible greenspaces for urban populations, and<br />
for use in green care settings, the ‘greening’ of our cities can bring varied<br />
environmental, health, economic and social benefits and so can contribute<br />
60 <strong>Green</strong> <strong>Care</strong>: A <strong>Conceptual</strong> <strong>Framework</strong>