Table 2 Natural environment classification and typology definitions and subsets for analysis of specific health-related mechanisms
From: Characterisation of the natural environment: quantitative indicators across Europe
Level 1 | Level 1.1 | Level 2 | Type(s) of space included | Mechanism group (and size criteria) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress reduction/restoration (all types) | Physical activity | Social contact | ||||
Green | Urban green space | Parks | Urban parks | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.5 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) |
Semi-natural/natural | Biodiversity areas, conservation areas, nature reserves, protected areas, heritage sites? | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.5 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | ||
Formal recreation | Playgrounds and sports fields (not within parks) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | ||
Civic space | Squares, gardens, | Y (any size) | Y (≥0.5 ha) | Y (any size) | ||
Functional/amenity | Allotment, cemetery, amenity spaces, Institutional (school, hospital grounds etc.) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.5 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | ||
Natural/green corridor | Traffic free/natural: pathways, trails and cycle paths | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | ||
Derelict/vacant | N | N | N | |||
Residential gardens | Private gardens | N | N | N | ||
Other natural features | Street greenery | Y (≥0.25 ha) | N | N | ||
Woodland/forests | Woodland/forests | Woodland/forests | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.5 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | |
Rural and agricultural land | Rural and agricultural land | Rural and agricultural land | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.5 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | |
Country parks | Country parks | Country parks | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.5 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | |
Water | Freshwater (inland water) | Lakes/reservoirs/ponds (standing water bodies) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.5 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | |
Rivers, streams, canals (linear water features) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | |||
Marine/coastal | Including beeches (type of coastline) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | Y (≥0.25 ha) | ||