Abstract
Background and Objectives: Increasing urbanization and the aging global population highlight cities as vital environments for promoting healthy aging. However, the relationship between characteristics of urban green spaces and older adults' mental well-being remains unclear.
Research Design and Methods: This study employed participatory action research to investigate the impact of urban green space characteristics on the mental well-being of older adults in Hong Kong. Collaborating with 15 community-dwelling older adults through photovoice and design workshops, thematic analysis was used to code and analyze data.
Results: Through collaboration, four key themes were identified as key characteristics of urban green spaces and their underlying pathways to benefit late-life mental well-being: spaciousness as a psychological buffer in high-density urban living, restorative urban oases facilitating daily stress-coping strategies, inclusive design to encourage active aging in close-door urban living settings, and self-made spaces fostering co-production and ownership.
Discussion and Implications: This study underscores the potential of urban green spaces for large-scale, place-based health promotion strategies to support mental well-being in healthy aging, emphasizing their roles in fostering well-being among older adults.
© The Author(s) 2026
Research Design and Methods: This study employed participatory action research to investigate the impact of urban green space characteristics on the mental well-being of older adults in Hong Kong. Collaborating with 15 community-dwelling older adults through photovoice and design workshops, thematic analysis was used to code and analyze data.
Results: Through collaboration, four key themes were identified as key characteristics of urban green spaces and their underlying pathways to benefit late-life mental well-being: spaciousness as a psychological buffer in high-density urban living, restorative urban oases facilitating daily stress-coping strategies, inclusive design to encourage active aging in close-door urban living settings, and self-made spaces fostering co-production and ownership.
Discussion and Implications: This study underscores the potential of urban green spaces for large-scale, place-based health promotion strategies to support mental well-being in healthy aging, emphasizing their roles in fostering well-being among older adults.
© The Author(s) 2026
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 345 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | BMC Geriatrics |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Online published | 14 Jan 2026 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Online published - 14 Jan 2026 |
Funding
This work is supported by a research project led by Dr Shiyu LU (Email address: [email protected]) as the Principal Investigator, entitled “Social prescribing of virtual reality urban greenness with peer support model to promote mental health among aging population: An effectiveness and feasibility study” and funded by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Research Grants Council Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Reference No: HLCA/H-106/23).
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Publisher's Copyright Statement
- This full text is made available under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
RGC Funding Information
- RGC-funded
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Urban green space and mental well-being of older adults: Participatory action research in Hong Kong'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
-
HLCA: Social Prescribing of Virtual Reality Urban Greenness with Peer Support Model to Promote Mental Health among Aging Population: An Effectiveness and Feasibility Study
LU, S. (Principal Investigator / Project Coordinator), Chui, C. H. K. (Co-Investigator) & LI, L. (Co-Investigator)
30/10/23 → 21/07/24
Project: Research
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