METASCAPES | ARCHITECTURAL QUESTS IN THE METAVERSE

The paper investigates the appropriateness of CAAD software and computational design tools for the creation of metaverse content along with the workflows and limitations involved. In parallel the research aims to assess the validity of architecture design studio research in the context of the metaverse, and its capability to produce results that justify further explorations in such direction

Planning, implementing and governing systems-based co-creation: the DISCOVER framework

Background: Increasingly, public health faces challenges requiring complex, multifaceted and multi-sectoral responses. This calls for systems-based approaches that facilitate the kind of collective and collaborative thinking and working required to address complexity. While the literature on systems thinking, system dynamics and the associated methodologies is extensive, there remains little clear guidance on how to plan, govern and implement participatory systems approaches within a co-creation process. Methods: We used a three-step process to develop DISCOVER, a framework for implementing, and governing systems-based co-creation: Stage 1: We conducted a literature analysis of key texts to identify well-documented methods and phases for co-creation using a systems approach, as well as areas where gaps existed.Stage 2: We looked for the most appropriate methods and approaches to fill the gaps in the knowledge production chain.Stage 3: We developed the framework, identifying how the different tools and approaches fit together end-to-end, from sampling and recruiting participants all the way through to responding with an action plan. Results: We devised DISCOVER to help guide researchers and stakeholders to collectively respond to complex social, health and wider problems. DISCOVER is a strategic research planning and governance framework that provides an actionable, systematic way to conceptualise complex problems and move from evidence to action, using systems approaches and co-creation. In this article, we introduce the eight-step framework and provide an illustrative case study showcasing its potential. The framework integrates complementary approaches and methods from social network analysis, systems thinking and co-creation literature. The eight steps are followed sequentially but can overlap. Conclusions: DISCOVER increases rigour and transparency in system approaches to tackling complex issues going from planning to action. It is being piloted in environmental health research but may be suitable to address other complex challenges and could be incorporated into research proposals and protocols for future projects.</p

Mechanisms of impact of blue spaces on human health: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Blue spaces have been found to have significant salutogenic effects. However, little is known about the mechanisms and pathways that link blue spaces and health. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarise the evidence and quantify the effect of blue spaces on four hypothesised mediating pathways: physical activity, restoration, social interaction and environmental factors. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a literature search was conducted using six databases (PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EBSCOHOST/CINAHL). Fifty studies were included in our systematic review. The overall quality of the included articles, evaluated with the Qualsyst tool, was judged to be very good, as no mediating pathway had an average article quality lower than 70%. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for physical activity, restoration and social interaction. Living closer to blue space was associated with statistically significantly higher physical activity levels (Cohen's d = 0.122, 95% CI: 0.065, 0.179). Shorter distance to blue space was not associated with restoration (Cohen's d = 0.123, 95% CI: -0.037, 0.284) or social interaction (Cohen's d = -0.214, 95% CI: -0.55, 0.122). Larger amounts of blue space within a geographical area were significantly associated with higher physical activity levels (Cohen's d = 0.144, 95% CI: 0.024, 0.264) and higher levels of restoration (Cohen's d = 0.339, 95% CI: 0.072, 0.606). Being in more contact with blue space was significantly associated with higher levels of restoration (Cohen's d = 0.191, 95% CI: 0.084, 0.298). There is also evidence that blue spaces improve environmental factors, but more studies are necessary for meta-analyses to be conducted. Evidence is conflicting on the mediating effects of social interaction and further research is required on this hypothesised pathway. Blue spaces may offer part of a solution to public health concerns faced by growing global urban populations

Does living near blue space modify the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on mental health in urban areas: a population-based retrospective study

Background: The incidence of mental health disorders in urban areas is increasing and there is a growing interest in using urban blue spaces as nature-based therapy to prevent and manage mental health. However, there is a dearth of longitudinal evidence of the mechanisms and effect of blue spaces on clinical markers of mental health to support and inform such interventions. Restoration of the north Glasgow branch of the Forth and Clyde canal began in 2000 as part of Glasgow's Smart Canal project, which is the largest programme of canal regeneration in the UK. The canal was completely closed and left to dereliction for more than 40 years and the first canal lock reopened as a space for recreation in 2006. Situated within the most deprived neighbourhoods in Europe and characterised by a clustering of environmental and socioeconomic deprivation, physical and mental health challenges, substantial health disparities, and climate change vulnerabilities, this is a unique natural experiment that was primarily developed to increase the communities' resilience to climate change. Methods: To investigate the mental health cobenefits deriving from the canal regeneration project, we conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study and explored whether living near blue space modified the negative effect of socioeconomic deprivation on the mental health of the population of north Glasgow, Scotland, using routinely collected NHS data, over a 10-year period (2009-18). We developed two Cox proportional hazards models; a base model estimating the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on mental health and a second identical model with an additional variable of distance to blue space. We then investigated the modifying effect of living near blue space by comparing the effects between the two models. Findings: Our findings indicate that living near blue space modified the risk of mental health disorders deriving from socioeconomic deprivation by 6% (hazard ratio [HR] 2·48, 95% CI 2·39-2·57) for those living in the most deprived tertile, and 4% (1·66, 1·60-1·72) for those in the medium-deprivation tertile. Interpretation: The findings of this study support the notion that living near blue space could play an important role in reducing the burden of mental health inequalities in urban populations. Funding: The Data Lab (to SC)

Urban blue spaces as therapeutic landscapes: “a slice of nature in the city”

Urban blue spaces are defined as all natural and manmade surface water in urban environments. This paper draws on how the concepts of experienced, symbolic, social, and activity space combine to position urban blue spaces as therapeutic landscapes. We conducted 203 intercept interviews between 12 October 2019 and 10 November 2019. Although safety concerns had health-limiting impacts, interacting with the Glasgow Canal and surrounding landscape was predominantly perceived as health-enhancing. Our findings build on current evidence, which has suggested that urban blue spaces, particularly canals, may foster therapeutic properties, contributing to healthier city environments. Further research is required to understand better the interconnectedness of urban blue spaces and health and how such spaces can be best developed and managed to improve the health outcomes of local populations

The impact of regeneration and climate adaptations of urban green-blue assets on all-cause mortality: a 17-year longitudinal study

Urban waterways are underutilised assets, which can provide benefits ranging from climate-change mitigation and adaptation (e.g., reducing flood risks) to promoting health and well-being in urban settings. Indeed, urban waterways provide green and blue spaces, which have increasingly been associated with health benefits. The present observational study used a unique 17-year longitudinal natural experiment of canal regeneration from complete closure and dereliction in North Glasgow in Scotland, U.K. to explore the impact of green and blue canal assets on all-cause mortality as a widely used indicator of general health and health inequalities. Official data on deaths and socioeconomic deprivation for small areas (data zones) for the period 2001-2017 were analysed. Distances between data zone population-weighted centroids to the canal were calculated to create three 500 m distance buffers. Spatiotemporal associations between proximity to the canal and mortality were estimated using linear mixed models, unadjusted and adjusted for small-area measures of deprivation. The results showed an overall decrease in mortality over time (beta = -0.032, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-0.046, -0.017]) with a closing of the gap in mortality between less and more affluent areas. The annual rate of decrease in mortality rates was largest in the 0-500 m buffer zone closest to the canal (-3.12%, 95% CI [-4.50, -1.73]), with smaller decreases found in buffer zones further removed from the canal (500-1000 m: -3.01%, 95% CI [-6.52, 0.62]), and 1000-1500 m: -1.23%, 95% CI [-5.01, 2.71]). A similar pattern of results was found following adjustment for deprivation. The findings support the notion that regeneration of disused blue and green assets and climate adaptions can have a positive impact on health and health inequalities. Future studies are now needed using larger samples of individual-level data, including environmental, socioeconomic, and health variables to ascertain which specific elements of regeneration are the most effective in promoting health and health equity

Contextual factors and programme theories associated with implementing blue prescription programmes: a systematic realist review

Nature-based social prescribing such as “blue prescription” promotes public health and health improvement of individuals with long-term health conditions. However, there is limited evidence explaining the relationship of contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes of implementing blue prescription programmes (BPPs) in health and social care settings that could inform policy and practice. We conducted a systematic realist review by searching PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Scopus, MEDLINE, and CINAHL for articles published in English between January 2000 and June 2022 about health and social care professionals providing referral to or prescription of blue space activities (e.g., swimming, fishing, surfing, etc.) with health-related outcomes. Components and descriptions of BPP implementation were extracted and used to develop themes of contextual factors used to develop programme theories and a logic model demonstrating the mechanisms of BPP implementation. Sixteen studies with adequate to strong quality were included from 8,619 records. After participating in BPPs referred to or prescribed by health and social care professionals, service users had improvements in their physical, cognitive (mental), social health, and proenvironmental knowledge. Service user-related contextual factors were referral information, free equipment, transportation, social support, blue space environments, and skills of service providers. Programme-related contextual factors were communication, multistakeholder collaboration, financing, and adequate service providers. Programme theories on service user enrolment, engagement, adherence, communication protocols, and programme sustainability explain the mechanisms of BPP implementation. BPPs could promote health and wellbeing if contextual factors and programme theories associated with service users’ characteristics and programme delivery are considered in the design, delivery, and evaluation of BPPs. Our study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020170660)