AsianScientist (May. 30, 2025) – As global urbanisation accelerates, it becomes more important to understand the relationship between natural spaces and the wellbeing of urban residents. Time spent in nature can improve mental and physical health, but the accessibility of natural spaces is often affected by socioeconomic conditions at district and household level. Research that explores the relationship between socioeconomic status, nature, and wellbeing is limited, especially in regions outside of Europe and North America.
Led by Uchiyama Yuta, human environmental scientist and Associate Professor at Kobe University, a group of researchers investigated the links between deprivation, nature relatedness, and wellbeing in Tokyo-Yokohama and Osaka-Kobe, two major metropolitan areas in Japan. The results of their study were published in Landscape and Urban Planning.
The team surveyed 3500 residents’ wellbeing and their relationship with nature, based on the proximity and accessibility of natural spaces around them, as well as their own perceived relatedness to nature. These responses were then analysed alongside data on the socioeconomic status and level of urban development of their area of residence.
Respondents who felt closer to nature also had better overall wellbeing. This association was particularly strong in areas with poorer socioeconomic conditions.
Related studies have suggested that those under substantial stress often use nature visitation as an important option for improving their health, which can in turn improve other aspects of wellbeing. Residents in poorer socioeconomic areas are particularly reliant on green spaces for this purpose, as alternative options to enhance their mental and physical health may be less accessible to them.
“Interestingly, of the factors we surveyed, childhood experience with nature in particular was a significant predictor of adult well-being,” shared Uchiyama. This finding is of note as Japan is experiencing a significant decrease in nature experience, especially among young people. Childhood nature experience also displayed complex correlations with wellbeing indicators, warranting further investigation.
These findings can guide policymakers in urban areas towards the best ways to reduce wellbeing inequality in cities. Equitable access to natural spaces and early-life exposure to nature could improve public health, especially in deprived areas. The researchers suggest that creating new walkable and accessible natural spaces, or improving existing ones, could help increase residents’ wellbeing.
“We anticipate that conserving and enhancing existing natural spaces and organising community events will have a positive effect on well-being in areas of relatively poor socioeconomic status.” said Uchiyama.
A longer term study of the complex factors affecting wellbeing could yield a clearer perspective, as people can move between residential areas with different environments and deprivation levels. Studies conducted in other regions ought to keep in mind the cultural and environmental differences in the local context. Uchiyama said, “As these findings are consistent with similar studies conducted in other regions, interventions for both subjective and objective factors should be applicable to other regions with similar socioeconomic contexts, such as other cities in Monsoon Asia. Currently, as part of an international collaborative project, we are analysing how knowledge and perceptions influence well-being, resilience, and preparedness of citizens and decision-makers in major cities in Asia including Bangkok and Manila.”
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Source: Kobe University ; Image: Shutterstock
This study can be found at Association between objective and subjective relatedness to nature and human well-being: Key factors for residents and possible measures for inequality in Japan’s megacities
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