| Issue/Objective |
Urban greenspaces are critical to health promotion, wellbeing, and social connection, yet access remains inequitable, particularly for racialized and marginalized communities. This research examines systemic barriers to greenspace access that perpetuate social and health inequities in cities. |
| Methodology/Approach |
The Park Perceptions and Racialized Realities project centers the lived experiences of racialized residents in historically underserved neighborhoods in Toronto, Canada. Employing participatory, arts-based methodologies, such as photovoice and collaborative sensemaking, the project co-creates knowledge with communities to address environmental and health justice challenges. |
| Results |
Findings reveal that while greenspaces hold significant potential for mental health promotion, social connection, and community resilience, access is hindered by exclusionary urban planning, systemic racism, and structural inequities. Participants highlighted persistent issues, including safety concerns, uneven greenspace maintenance, and exclusion from decision-making processes that shape their neighborhoods. Furthermore, there were gender disparities for racialized women in safely navigating and using public greenspaces. By sharing community-driven methodologies and co-created solutions, this work provides a model for integrating equity and inclusion into health research and urban planning. This can contribute a community-engaged model for attendees working in related fields to adopt participatory approaches that amplify marginalized voices in health research and policymaking. |
| Discussion/Conclusion |
This presentation will explore actionable, co-created recommendations to inform urban policy, planning, and public health processes that center equity, inclusion, and systemic change. Strategies such as Green Social Prescribing are discussed as innovative, community-led solutions to bridge health systems, urban planning, and nature-based interventions for marginalized populations. The work responds to CCGH's two subthemes, including a focus on inclusive leadership in global health, through encouraging inclusive leadership to foster diverse perspectives and solutions as well as navigating governance, collaboration and trust through local leadership and people-centeredness into health policies and solutions. The work also responds to CIHR's focus on health equity, integrated knowledge translation, and collaboration by fostering community partnerships that address the social, environmental, and structural determinants of health.
By prioritizing equity-driven, intersectional approaches, this research advances strategies to promote inclusive, accessible, and health-promoting urban greenspaces. Community-engaged methodologies and models can transform policies and systems to create healthier, more equitable environments for all. |
| Presenters and affiliations |
Nadha Hassen University of Toronto |
