Literature review: Environmental design and research on the human health effects of open spaces in urban areas

We review the academic literature (n=113) that addresses effects on human health and well-being that occur when people interact with open spaces and nature in urban settings. We identify key design elements and research principles as well as commonly used research methodologies and outcome variables. We identify and discuss a critical balance between reductionism in design and research and a holistic and integrative approach. That balance is as critical to successful designs of open spaces intended to improve human health and well-being as it is to successful research to document those effects. We also address gaps in the existing evidence base and recommend directions that researchers and practitioners should adopt in order to further advance the ability to design and research open spaces in urban areas to improve human health and well-being. Overall, we call for efforts to build a stronger evidence base to better inform policy-makers and practitioners in the future.