Evaluating fifteen-minute parks’ improvements to the social determinants of urban health and wellbeing

Improved evidence is needed for decision makers from rapidly evolving cities in LMICs on the critical role that urban greenspaces can play as positive social determinants of health. Economic and development pressures are typically for grey infrastructure making it challenging for municipal authorities to create quality green spaces. Equity challenges mean existing greenspaces are often not widely accessible with those from marginalised groups least likely to receive their health benefits. The project will assess a living case study of the Bangkok’s Metropolitan Administration 101 '15-minute pocket-parks' initiative. Working closely and collaboratively with local communities and municipal agencies, findings will be used to shape the main rollout of the Bangkok parks, and more broadly inform applications of the pocket park model in other Global South cities for healthier populations. The project will generate policy relevant evidence of the value and role of equitably distributed small-scale urban greenspaces on the SDH.

Research Team: Professor Steve Cinderby, University of York, Dr Diana Archer, SEI-Asia; Dr Rachel Pateman, University of York; Dr Niramon Serisakul, Urban Design and Development Center