Introduction
The article is trying to prove or test if living in greener areas is healthier. This is done in comparison with people who are living in less green areas. It is based on the fact that the quality of ones living environment has become a very important issue to many residents. In addition, it is also vital in spatial planning. The article specifically lays more emphasis on positive impacts of a high-quality residential surrounding. By doing this, more attention has been paid on public health and the general wellbeing of residents.
Discussion
The author uses the new urban spatial-mismatch to frame his research. This is because the article talks about spatial health differences. The author has gone ahead to imply that these differences are as a result of causation and selection. Furthermore, there is an argument that green areas attract wealthy people. In the long run, there will be a mismatch as green areas will only be inhabited by healthy people.
The author is liberal in the article. This is because he is not trying to defend the situation on the ground. He argues that special attention should be paid to the mechanisms behind the relationship between health and green space.
This article has been influenced by Verheij. The author refers to a previous article that Verheij had done on the relationship between health and urbanity (Verheij 21). This is further supported by the fact that people who live in rural areas are healthier than those who live in urban areas. Verheijs ideas seem to frame and provide the conceptual framework upon which this article is based. There are various mechanisms that can be used to tell why greener areas are mostly preferred by wealthy people (Verheij 32).
The author relies on data from interviews. Health data was obtained from a study that had been conducted before. In this case, the interview was conducted among various random samples. Geographic information database was also used to obtain environmental data. The Netherland institute for health services also assisted with some important data. Adjustments had to be made to ensure that data is well received and recorded.
The article concludes by arguing that selection effects can be used to offer a good explanation on the relationship between health and green space. Large living environments might not have the ability to reflect various differences. These differences can be in the composition of the population and neighborhoods. In addition, the article did not establish a close relationship between health and green space in small living neighborhoods.
There are various suggestions that have been put forward by the author for further research. For instance, special attention should be paid to mechanisms behind the ultimate relationship between health and green space. This means that more data should be availed to help in further research activities in relation to this topic. More research should be done to know if green space is a necessity or a luxury from different perspectives.
This article is very good as it has a very strong implication on spatial planning. Currently, there is an ongoing process of densification of cities that might end up having various negative effects. Therefore, this article raises more awareness on the irreversible nature of the ongoing densification process.
Conclusion
The author uses the new urban spatial-mismatch to frame his research. This is because the article talks about spatial health differences. He has gone ahead to imply that these differences are as a result of causation and selection. Furthermore, there is an argument that green areas attract wealthy people. In the long run, there will be a mismatch as green areas will only be inhabited by healthy people.
Special attention should be paid to mechanisms behind the ultimate relationship between health and green space. This means that more data should be availed to help in further research activities in relation to this topic. More research should be done to know if green space is a necessity or a luxury from different perspectives.
Works Cited
Verheij, A, Robert. Urban-rural variations in health. Utrecht: Utrecht University, 1999. Print.