A systematic review of multi-dimensional quality assessment tools for urban green spaces

Pablo Knobel; Payam Dadvand; Roser Maneja-Zaragoza

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102198

A systematic review of multi-dimensional quality assessment tools for urban green spaces

Health Place. 2019 Sep:59:102198. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102198. Epub 2019 Sep 13.

Authors

Pablo Knobel¹, Payam Dadvand², Roser Maneja-Zaragoza³

Affiliations

¹ Environment and Human Health Lab (EH(2) Lab), Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
² ISGlobal, Campus Mar, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 80, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Ciber on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: payam.dadvand@isglobal.org.
³ Environment and Human Health Lab (EH(2) Lab), Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; Geography Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.

PMID: 31525616
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102198

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of quality assessment tools for urban green spaces to evaluate their replicability, comparability and validity. We assessed the characteristics of 15 published, multi-dimensional, direct observation tools regarding: publication, development, features and included dimensions. Even though all tools show acceptable inter-rater variability, there is a notable variability in their characteristics, from required time to conduct the assessment to the number of included items. Additionally, some specific dimensions are underrepresented, and the study units' definitions are feeble. We showcased the need for new tools that are more comprehensive and include more consistent reporting measures.

Keywords: Green spaces; Human health; Quality assessment; Urban green; Urban nature; Wellbeing.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Observer Variation
Parks, Recreational* / standards
Parks, Recreational* / statistics & numerical data
Quality Assurance, Health Care / methods*