By Yuheng Mao, Hanyu Yin, Zhaocheng Bai, Jiacheng Yin, Tianyu Xia, Ling Wang, Jinguang Zhang, and Dan Chen
Photo: Jiong Wu
Emerging research highlights the correlations between green spaces and physical activity, with increasing attention being paid to the role of campus green spaces. As the birthplace of cutting-edge concepts, universities play a crucial role in protecting the environment and human health, promoting sustainable development, and preserving biodiversity, often taking the lead in urban sustainable development and becoming pioneers of change. However, campus greenways, which are the networks of campus green space, are still not well understood in terms of how their specific features, such as the structure of trees, shrubs, and grass, affect different activities like jogging, walking, or cycling.
We studied 121 greenways across 38 campuses in Shanghai, China, tracking how people jogged, walked, and cycled over seven years. We collected over 700,000 data points. Using satellite images and street views, we measured the amount of green space exposure in these areas, including the vegetation structure and the height of the trees. We found that the more green space people can see, the more they jog and walk, though the effect decreases after a certain point. The number of people cycling is related to the height of the trees. Seeing more trees and shrubs increases physical activity, but grass does not have this effect. Whether a campus is in an urban or suburban area also affects the relationship between green space and jogging.
Our research clarifies the nexus between greenway environment and various physical activities, explores the dynamic interplay between people and nature, and offers valuable insights for campus greenway development and policy-making.
Relational Thinking 