Embedding Social and Health Equity into Greenspace Programs and Policies

Experiencing and accessing nature has been shown to promote individual and communal physical and mental well-being. However, these benefits are not universally enjoyed due to social inequities. There are limited tools and strategies to ensure that greenspace programs and policies have positive social and health equity impacts.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the confluence of systemic issues around health equity, greenspaces in cities and social injustice. As part of the need for equitable cities where people and nature thrive synergistically, this project will: 1) develop an equity-informed impact measurement process for Park People’s Sparking Change Toronto program; 2) engage subject matter experts across disciplines to identify key strategies for embedding equity in greenspace initiatives; and 3) host a series of “solutions workshops” with key stakeholders to identify significant principles, challenges, and guidelines. This work will result in a framework and toolkit for embedding social and health equity into greenspace programs and policies, with the aim of supporting stakeholders (community groups, professionals, and non-governmental organizations) to create more equitable greenspaces.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kate Mulligan

Student:

Partner:

Park People

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation; Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Toronto

Program: