A new study based on an analysis of the residents of Turin, Italy, a city of over 900,000, reveals that walkable access to public transit and urban services benefits mental health, particularly for women and seniors.
Last weekend I was enjoying a coffee at the outdoor seating of Castro Coffee on the widened Castro Street in San Francisco.
Credit: Castro Street Improvement Project
An elderly Asian women asked if she could join me due to the limited seating, and we soon struck up some small talk. She lived nearby in her 47-year-old son's home, and she told me of all the transit—bus, light rail, and streetcar lines near her home, particularly which ones took her to Japantown. She called the buses her "limousines" because they would drop her off right in front of her home.
Along comes this study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health that completely validates everything she said. Access to multiple transit lines and living within walking distance to a vibrant business district appears to be contributing to this senior's mental (as well as physical) health.
"For the study, a group of Italy-based researchers gathered long-term data on Turin residents," writes Eric Jaffe, CityLab’s New York bureau chief...."Of the environmental factors, density and transit access proved “protective” of mental health, especially for women (of all ages) and older people (age 50 to 64)."
These populations were prescribed fewer antidepressant drugs when they lived in places reached more quickly by bus or train, in places with taller average building heights, compared with counterparts in more remote or sparse areas. That connection held up even when social factors were taken into account.
A look through Planetizen posts tagged 'mental health' shows no lack of articles showing a nexus with green spaces or trees, yet the Turin study showed no such connection "between mental health and public green space," writes Jaffe. "That’s surprising considering the vast evidence supporting this link." [See 'related' below.]
Conclusion from the study's abstract:
Therefore, this research suggests that good accessibility to public transport, as well as a dense urban structure (versus sprawl), could contribute to reduced risk of depression, especially for women and elderly, by increasing opportunities to move around and have an active social life.
Hat tip to Metro Transportation Library.
FULL STORY: Living Near a Transit Line Might Be Good for Your Mental Health
Staying Healthy During the Pandemic
Local parks and green spaces that enable safe social distancing have never been more important to people living in cities. The Trust for Public Land has released a new report showing their importance and the challenges they are facing.
Urban Planning Insights From Your Inner Child (or Your Actual Child)
Los Angeles County park planner and parent Clement Lau writes about how 'playing' and parenting has given him insight into the urban environment that he applies in his profession.
Air Pollution Forces Italian Cities to Enact Serious Driving Restrictions
Unusually mild and dry weather in much of Italy has worsened air quality so much that city governments are acting to reduce emissions from one of the chief sources of air pollution by enacting odd-even license restrictions on driving.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie