Blue and green spaces

Green and blue spaces in urban environments are more than just assets and community infrastructure – they're an investment in preventive public health. 


Connections between people and nature are critical to our health and wellbeing. Blue (water) and green (vegetation) spaces provide opportunities for play, rest, socialising and being physically active. 


People engage more in physical activity when in nature. They are more likely to go more frequently, spend longer and at higher levels of intensity, because the perceived effort feels less. Amenable, enjoyable environments can boost motivation to exercise. 


Studies have found a strong correlation between the cardiovascular health of people who live in walkable urban environments that also have higher amounts of green space. 


Green and blue spaces can help improve heart health through: 

  • improved levels of physical activity 
  • improved social interaction and connectivity 
  • mental and emotional benefits 
  • lowering levels of stress, heart rate and blood pressure 
  • improving sleep quality 
  • reducing exposure to air and noise pollution 
  • mitigating the effects of urban heat islands 
  • filtering air pollution particles 
  • care and concern for environmental outcomes.   

 

Everyone in Australia should be able to access and meaningfully connect with nature as part of everyday life. To achieve equity and access for all, the 3-30-300 rule can be applied:

3. any person can see three trees from their home

30. the tree canopy of any area is at least 30%

300. everyone lives within 300 metres of public open space.


Suggested urban environment initiatives for urban design: 

  • Community gardens 
  • Seating 
  • Pocket parks 
  • Outdoor gyms 
  • Paths and trails 
  • Promote active and public transport options to help people access outdoor environments 

 

You can read more about ways to incorporate blue and green infrastructure in urban design outcomes in the IPWEA Green Infrastructure Management Manual: https://www.ipwea.org/resourcesnew/bookshop/gimm 

 

References 

Gladwell VF, Brown DK, Wood C, Sandercock GR, Barton JL. The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extrem Physiol Med. Jan 3 2013;2(1):3. doi:10.1186/2046-7648-2-3 


Makram OM, Nwana N, Pan A, et al. Interplay Between Residential Nature Exposure and Walkability and Their Association with Cardiovascular Health. JACC: Advances. 2025/01/01/ 2025;4(1):101457. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.101457