Ecosystem services modeling and human well-being in urban landscapes

Abstract

Studies have investigated the association between green areas and quality of health and well-being in urban areas, as well as the ability of these areas to retain species diversity in cities. These investigations have, on the one hand, found a negative association between the presence of green areas in urban areas and mortality, cardiovascular diseases and violence; and, on the other hand, a positive association with attention, mood and physical activity. Furthermore, several studies have evaluated the impact of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) on human health, on the quality of human life in the urban environment and on biodiversity. Most of these studies demonstrated a relationship between NBS associated with green/blue areas and an improvement in the health of the population. The first objective of this postdoctoral project is to synthesize this knowledge, to know which factors or conditions improve the effectiveness of these solutions, as well as to know which of these solutions generate co-benefits for biodiversity in cities. on onesecondly, a mapping of NBS initiatives in the state of São Paulo will also be carried out.Paulo, to identify cases that allow counterfactual analysis of effectiveness, considering in particular the impact of these solutions on chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. To this end, searches for scientific articles will be carried out on different electronic data platforms. Through the São Paulo Municipal Green and Environment Department and other public bodies, it will be possible to identify initiatives that were established in the city of São Paulo or in other urban centers in São Paulo. In a third moment, a mapping of priority areas for the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) will also be carried out, based on indicators of quality of life and health of urban populations in the state of São Paulo. Mortality and hospitalization databases will be used, as well as information on non-communicable chronic diseases, depression, anxiety or panic attacks, or suicide data available in DATASUS and other longitudinal studies. The analysis methods are typical of econometrics, in which the effect of NBSs on the health of the population directly affected will be contrasted with a counterfactual state. The project should still emphasize the development of predictive models space-time of the occurrence of NCDs and psychological disorders for different cities, with the objective of mapping the areas of greatest risk and that should be prioritized for the implementation of NBS. The results will provide subsidies for the elaboration of surveillance, monitoring and risk reduction policies for NCDs and mental illnesses, as well as for building urban planning scenarios and the development of public policies focused on population health, especially for the city of São Paulo, which is one of the largest in the world. (AU)