Designing green spaces for the greater good

10:05 am on 1 March 2024

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Landscape architect and urban health designer, Gayle Souter-Brown. Photo: Supplied

Years of research have shown the health benefits gained from gardening - an activity that increases mobility and aerobic fitness,  while reducing waistlines, the risk of dementia, heart disease, and type-2 diabetes.

What's not to love? But the positive effects go beyond the acts of planting, weeding, and mowing.

Forest bathing - a Japanese practice of just immersing oneself in nature - is linked to improved mental health.

Green spaces, and gardens are good for us. But not all gardens are created equal.

Dr Gayle Souter-Brown is a landscape architect and founder of Greenstone Design - a salutogenic design specialist. Her latest research examines the relationship between mental well-being and green spaces. 

Villaleigh Garden and Nursery Photo: Supplied