Every week, we bring you the latest news in placemaking, landscape architecture, the nature-mental health link, and much more. Check back every Monday for our news roundups.
A Greener, Safer Empty Lot
“New research suggests that vacant lots that are cleaned up and maintained see reduced crime in their immediate surroundings. Cleaning and greening empty lots can even make people feel safer, according to the study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, published this week in the journal Injury Prevention.”
To Your Good Health
“When most people hear the phrase “natural healing†they think of herbal remedies and ancient therapies. But there’s an even older, simpler source of healing that’s just outside your door: nature itself.”
Parks Are Part of Our Healthcare System
“Green spaces are crucial to solving hypertension, anxiety, depression, diabetes — “the diseases of indoor living.†The more someone spends outdoors, the less likely they are to suffer from mental or physical disorders. But she said parks officials and the medical profession still needs more data to take aim at the many “naysayers on the other side†who don’t believe in what every landscape architect values.”
Beauty & Utilities
“Trees need advocates. Somebody with a mind for the landscape needs to do a fuller risk assessment of overhead lines that considers urban trees not as risks, but as assets at risk. Utility consumers are too wired up in every sense to put up with massive outages. So please let’s not ask them to choose between the grid and good shade, because they’re liable to give the wrong answer.”
