scholarly journals Is the Qi experience related to the flow experience? Practicing qigong in urban green spaces

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0240180
Author(s):  
Shih-Han Hung ◽  
Ching-Yung Hwang ◽  
Chun-Yen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Flow Experience ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Mind ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

People experience a healthy energy gained from the environment and an inner feeling, called the Qi experience. The flow experience has been a popular topic in Western studies, especially within the fields of psychology and health, and in all kinds of activities. Our current study used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the relationship between the Qi experience and the flow experience. After collecting data using open-ended questions, we integrated and connected the Qi experience into five orientations: (1) the feeling of Qi; (2) the mind; (3) Qi and consciousness; (4) physical, mental, and spiritual benefits; and (5) the feeling of Tao. The results revealed a high level of consistency between the flow experience and the Qi experience (r = 0.90, p<0.00, which supports the conclusion that the concept of the flow experience in Qigong activity seems to be the same as that in East Asian disciplines, called the Qi experience.

An Analysis of Soils in Various Type of Urban Green Spaces Based on the Soil Organic Matter Quality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanmin Choi ◽  
Youjin Kim ◽  
Inhye Seo ◽  
Gayoung Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Urban Soil ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Urban Park ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Relationship

&lt;p&gt;Urban soil is the foundation of ecosystem functioning in urban green spaces, which plays an important role in sustainable urbanization. To maintain the ecosystem services provided by urban green space, it is important to manage and monitor the urban soil using appropriate evaluation parameters. Given that the urban soil is under direct and indirect influence of anthropogenic factors, the characteristics of urban ecosystem should be considered when assessing the soil quality. My research group already suggested a new soil quality parameter set for urban roadside soils, which is composed of soil penetration resistance (PR), pH, the C/H ratio of particulate organic matter (POM-C/H), POM-N, and soil microbial respiration (RES). This parameter set indicated that the urban soil has very unique quality of soil organic matter (SOM) and it should be considered as well as SOM quantity when assessing the urban soil status. In this study, we aimed at assessing the SOM quality in various types of urban green space using the C/H ratio and N of POM and analyzing the relationship between SOM quality and soil RES. Soil RES was regarded as a representative parameter for overall soil health and used as a dependent variable. The study was conducted in three different types of urban green spaces, which are roadside, urban park, and riverside green in Seoul, Korea. In each type of green space, three sites were selected varing in the degree of human disturbance. Soil samples were collected from the 0-15 cm depth, passed through 2mm sieve and dried before analysis. The POM was separated after wet sieving using 53 um screen and the C, N, and H contents of POM were measured using combustion analysis using the Carlo Erba NS Analyzer Carlo Erba, Milan, Italy). We calculated the POM-C/H as a proxy for aromaticity, which increases with high non-degradable OM. To trace the source of SOM, we measured the N stable isotope ratio of POM (POM-&amp;#948;&lt;sup&gt;15&lt;/sup&gt;N). On the same day of soil sampling, soil RES was measured on-site using the EGM CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Gas Analyzer PP Systems, MA, USA). We performed multiple regression to analyze the relationship between SOM quality and soil RES. The POM C/H was higher in roadside soil than urban park, which means the urban roadside soil has a significantly higher amount of non-biodegradable compounds such as PAH. This further implies that OM quality is significantly different among types of urban green spaces. Using the POM delta N value, we found that OM in the roadside soils was originated from sewage sludge, animal urine/feces as well as atmospheric deposition. Analysis of OM source tracing in the urban park and riverside soil will be conducted. There was a negative correlation between POM C/H ratio and soil RES, which indicates the poor soil health condition partly due to low OM quality. In conclusion, this study clarifies the importance of OM quality for assessing the soil in urban green spaces affected by anthropogenic factors and indicates that the SOM quality management needs to be established.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space: An Avenue for Health Promotion

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viniece Jennings ◽  
Omoshalewa Bamkole
Keyword(s):  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health And Well Being

Social cohesion involves the interpersonal dynamics and sense of connection among people. Increased social cohesion can be associated with various physical and psychological health benefits. The presence of urban green spaces can encourage positive social interactions that cultivate social cohesion in ways that enhance health and well-being. Urban green spaces have also been linked to positive health behaviors and outcomes including increased physical activity and social engagement. Understanding the relationship between social cohesion and urban green space is important for informing holistic approaches to health. In this article, we discuss how positive interactions in urban green space can catalyze social cohesion, social capital and critical health-promoting behaviors that may enhance psychological health and well-being. We also summarize the strengths and limitations of previous studies and suggest directions for future research.

scholarly journals A Study on Practicing Qigong and Getting Better Health Benefits in Biophilic Urban Green Spaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1692
Author(s):  
Shih-Han Hung ◽  
Wan-Yu Chou ◽  
Chun-Yen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Flow Experience ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Valid Data ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Biophilic Elements

In natural spaces, people experience traditional environmental Qi (TEQ), which supports healthy environmental energy flow, and helps them gain an overall improved Qi experience from practicing Qigong. However, what kind of urban green spaces support Qigong? This study provides an analysis that measures TEQ, Qi experience, flow experience, restorative experience, and preference when practicing Qigong in different urban green spaces. A total of 654 valid data points were collected. The results indicate that subjects practicing “breathing” among trees, meadows, and waterscapes perceived higher TEQ, Qi experience, flow experience, and restorative experience, and preferred it to the environment of plazas. In addition, practicing Qigong in environments featuring biophilic elements, such as plants (meadows and trees), elicits flow experience and Qi experience in the built environment. Water, an important biophilic element, also produces better TEQ and restorative experiences, and is preferred by human beings. These results make a connection between Qigong, experiences, and biophilic urban green spaces, and offer suggestions for users to gain health benefits while exercising in urban areas.

scholarly journals Characterising urban green space density and accessibility in models of BMI

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Carthy ◽  
Sean Lyons ◽  
Anne Nolan
Keyword(s):  
Weight Status ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background : While exposure to urban green spaces has been associated with various physical health benefits, the evidence linking these spaces to lower BMI, particularly among older people, is mixed. We suggest that dimensions of urban green space accessibility, which are generally unobserved in the existing literature, may be a source of this volatility in results. The aim of this study is to add to the literature on the association between urban green space and BMI by considering alternative measures of urban green space that incorporate measures of footpath availability. Methods: We conduct a cross-sectional study combining data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing and detailed land use information. We proxy respondents’ exposure to urban green spaces at their residential addresses in network buffers, which are adjusted to account for the density of local footpaths. Generalised linear models are used to test the association between exposure to accessible urban green space and BMI. Results: Relative to the third quintile, exposure to the lowest quintile of urban green space, as measured within a 1600m accessible network buffer, is associated with slightly higher BMI (marginal effect: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.16-1.44). The results, however, are not robust to small changes in how green space is measured and no statistically significant association between urban green spaces and BMI is found under other variants of our regression model. Conclusion : The relationship between urban green spaces and BMI among older adults is highly sensitive to the characterisation of local green space. Our results suggest that there are some other unobserved factors, other than footpath availability, that mediate the relationship between urban green spaces and weight status.

scholarly journals Characterising urban green space density and footpath-accessibility in models of BMI

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Carthy ◽  
Sean Lyons ◽  
Anne Nolan
Keyword(s):  
Weight Status ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background: While exposure to urban green spaces has been associated with various physical health benefits, the evidence linking these spaces to lower BMI, particularly among older people, is mixed. We ask whether footpath availability, generally unobserved in the existing literature, may mediate exposure to urban green space and help explain this volatility in results. The aim of this study is to add to the literature on the association between urban green space and BMI by considering alternative measures of urban green space that incorporate measures of footpath availability. Methods: We conduct a cross-sectional study combining data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing and detailed land use information. We proxy respondents’ exposure to urban green spaces at their residential addresses using street-side and area buffersthat take account of the presence of footpaths. Generalised linear models are used to test the association between exposure to several measures of urban green space and BMI. Results: Relative to the third quintile, exposure to the lowest quintile of urban green space, as measured within a 1600m footpath-accessible network buffer, is associated with slightly higher BMI (marginal effect: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.16-1.44). The results, however, are not robust to small changes in how green space is measured and no statistically significant association between urban green spaces and BMI is found under other variants of our regression model. Conclusion: The relationship between urban green spaces and BMI among older adults is highly sensitive to the characterisation of local green space. Our results suggest that there are some unobserved factors other than footpath availability that mediate the relationship between urban green spaces and weight status.

scholarly journals Urban Green Space Fragmentation and Urbanization: A Spatiotemporal Perspective

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangzheng Li ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Junhui Liang ◽  
Shuang Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Shape Index ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Geographically Weighted Regression Model ◽  
Nighttime Light Data ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
High Level

Urbanization leads to the occupation of green areas, directly contributing to a high level of fragmentation of urban green spaces, which, in turn, results in numerous socioeconomic and environmental problems. Consequently, an understanding of the relationships between patterns of urban green spaces and urbanization processes is essential. Although previous quantitative studies have examined this relationship, they have not included an exploration of spatial heterogeneities in the effects of urbanization on the spatial patterns of urban green areas. We therefore applied a spatiotemporal perspective to examine the above relationship, while considering the wider planning context. First, we quantified the extent of fragmentation of urban green spaces using landscape metrics comprising the largest patch index (LPI) and landscape shape index (LSI). Next, using the calculated spatial metrics and nighttime light data (NTL) for central Beijing for the period 1992–2016, we applied a geographically weighted regression model to assess variations in the spatiotemporal effects of urbanization on the fragmentation of urban green spaces. The results showed that urbanization initially occurred mainly in the northern parts of Beijing, whereas urbanization of southern urban fringe areas occurred after 2008. The reduction in green spaces along with increasing fragmentation and complex spatial patterns are indicative of issues relating to Beijing’s rapid urbanization and planning policies. This study contributes to an understanding of how urbanization influences fragmentation of urban green spaces and offers insights for the planning of urban green spaces from the perspective of promoting sustainability.

scholarly journals Allergenic potential of Platanus L. species in urban environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-40
Author(s):  
Rusana Tsvetanova
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
World Economy ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Plane Tree ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Allergenic Potential ◽  
The World ◽  
High Level

Abstract The species of the genus Platanus L. are widely used in urban green infrastructure in Bulgaria and abroad, but are proven to be a serious source of allergen pollen emissions. The number of people, affected by pollinosis, is increasing every year and this affects the world economy and health of the population in a high level. The pollen of the plane tree is light, very small and spreads anemophilically. This is one of the genera that produce the largest amount of pollen per inflorescence. This makes Platanus a tree of a high allergy potential that has the tendence to get higher in time, because of its increasing use in urban green spaces. The aim of this study is to collect data for allergy potential of the three species of plane tree in some of the European countries, where the allergy is a significant problem, and to compare the sensitization of patients to its pollen in Bulgaria.

scholarly journals The impact of landscape aesthetic and ecological qualities on public preference of planting types in urban green spaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 7-17
Author(s):  
Maija Veinberga ◽  
Daiga Skujane ◽  
Peteris Rivza
Keyword(s):  
Human Perception ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Public Preference ◽  
Landscape Preference ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Environment Quality ◽  
High Level ◽  
Landscape Ecological ◽  
The Impact

Landscape preference in relation to human perception of landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities analysed in different studies. The importance of both qualities is highlighted especially for urban green spaces, where the enhancement of environment quality in conjunction with providing high level aesthetics is becoming a topical issue. This paper analyses seven planting types in urban green spaces in accordance with six landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities. Therefore the aim of this research is to investigate which planting type inhabitants and tourists from four Latvian cities prefer more. Planting types were evaluated according to landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities – attractiveness, naturalness, neatness, necessity of care, wilderness and safety. The method of image simulations of the different planting type alternatives was used. The research results showed a correlation between the landscape preference and respondent`s gender, level of education and place of residence. The research did not display differences in landscape preference in terms of specific regional characteristics of the four selected cities. Results of this research could be used in the decision-making process for development of new and revitalization of current green spaces in the researched cities.

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