Long-term follow-up of the public health impacts and co-benefits of an urban greenway intervention: A natural experiment evaluation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Evidence on the long-term impact of urban green and blue spaces (UGBS) interventions remains limited. This study is a 15-year evaluation of an urban greenway development in Belfast (United Kingdom), assessing the potential effects of this UGBS intervention on physical activity (PA), mental wellbeing and co-benefits. METHODS: Using natural experimental design, a repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2010 (baseline), 2017 (post-opening) and 2023 (long-term follow-up) with about 1200 adults participated each wave. Outcomes included PA, mental wellbeing, general health, quality of life, social capital and environmental perception. Multilevel mixed-effect regressions were performed to examine within-group changes at long-term follow-up. Difference-in-differences analysis investigated the between-group changes that might be attributed to the greenway. Additional comparative analyses included distance-decay analysis and comparison with population trends in Northern Ireland. RESULTS: At six years after completion, the greenway intervention appears to buffer a decline in duration of PA - mainly from moderate-intensity activity (decline lower by 118.6 min/week, 95%CI: 3.9-232.2) but with no significant impact on the proportion of the population meeting the recommended PA level. The intervention is associated with a smaller decline in self-rated health (4.98 units; 95%CI: 0.62-9.34) relative to control group. Intervention association with mental wellbeing was positive but not significant (p = 0.30). The greenway also showed positive effects on social capital and environmental perceptions, with impacts most evident in improving safety and trust in the local area. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence to support the public health impact of UGBS and its long-term health and social benefits.
Source: Health & Place
Institutions: Queen's University Belfast, Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Language: English
Topic: Urban Green Space and Health
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,380
Funders: Wellcome Trust, Scottish Government, Alzheimer's Society, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland, Alzheimer's Research Trust, Cancer Research UK, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, Department of Health and Social Care, Diabetes UK, Stroke Association, Health Foundation, University of Exeter, University of Glasgow, Cranfield University, Queen's University Belfast, Public Health Agency, Queen's University, Liverpool John Moores University, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate, Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, World Cancer Research Fund, Health and Social Care Research and Development Division, UK Prevention Research Partnership
OpenAlex ID: W7203910330