text:
chris.sainsbury@uxconnections.com
HomeThe Joy of Nature: Can Designing Green Urban Spaces Improve Mental Health?PostsThe Joy of Nature: Can Designing Green Urban Spaces Improve Mental Health?
The Joy of Nature: Can Designing Green Urban Spaces Improve Mental Health?
7th January 2020 at 13:18
Amie Haven, Journalist
@uxconnections
Nature may not be a miracle cure for mental illness, but evidence suggests a link that urban designers are not ignoring.
Many people intuitively understand that the beauty of nature lifts the spirit, soothes the soul, and clears a troubled mind. But in urban spaces, access to nature and all its benefits can be limited. Plus, nature's long-term benefits for mental health are proving hard to quantify, making it challenging to present urban design and health policymakers with clear facts.
Yet mounting research suggests there's a correlation between actively engaging with nature and improved mental health. Inspired by this tentative correlation, projects are springing up across the UK and internationally to increase access to nature, particularly in urban environments where green spaces are rare.
Poor mental health is a global problem. According to the Mental Health Foundation, depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide and 1 in 6 people experience common mental health problems every week. The mental health charity Mind say there are a range of factors that contribute to poor mental health: childhood trauma, poverty, loss, stress, poor physical health, social isolation, discrimination, inadequate housing, abuse, trauma in adulthood, drug and alcohol abuse, long-term caring responsibilities, physical injury, and neurological conditions.
There is no single way to tackle such a complex array of often interrelated issues. But a recent study revealed that spending just 120 minutes a week in nature results in health and wellbeing benefits. However, the study didn't pull apart the impact of nature as distinct from just physical activity, which has also been shown to improve mental health. Another study pointed out that exposure to nature is a correlating factor in many studies but no evidence demonstrates nature's stand-alone benefits.
Despite the lack of hard evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that, "Having access to green spaces can reduce health inequalities, improve well-being, and aid in treatment of mental illness. Some analysis suggests that physical activity in a natural environment can help remedy mild depression and reduce physiological stress indicators."
Nature writer Robert Macfarlane appears to agree with this assessment after enthusiastically backing London as a National Park City – the first city in the world to receive the honour. Macfarlane says:
"What a moment for London: a celebration of the biodiversity and greenness that the city holds, an acknowledgement of how vitally urban lives are bound up with, and enriched by, nature. It's a vision for the future of how to deepen and improve our relationship with the living world; for what's good for nature is also good for us all."
Director of Urban Alliance, Russell Galt, also shares this sentiment. Speaking to Gizmodo, Galt said, "It's only in the past 10,000 years – a blip in the evolutionary history of humans – that we have begun isolating ourselves from nature. Physiologically and psychologically, we are still hardwired to the wilderness."
We may not be able to explain exactly how or why nature soothes the soul, but it seems the call of the wild may be an organic part of being human. However, the authors of a study conducted in 2016 argue that the link between nature and wellbeing has been sufficiently proven to make it a serious policy concern. The Wildlife Trusts and the University of Derby evaluated the results of the "30 Days Wild" nature engagement campaign in 2016. One of the authors, Lucy McRobert from The Wildlife Trusts, told the BBC that participants who reported "excellent" health rose by 30% following 30 days of engaging with nature. According to The Wildlife Trusts, natural environments are:
"[…] fundamentally important for our health, wellbeing and happiness and that ought to be reflected in our education system, in the way we treat the physically or mentally ill, in the way we build infrastructure and houses and in how we access and protect green spaces in cities."
Along these lines, organisations like Living Space Project are working to ensure that green urban spaces are not only protected but are equitable and inclusive. Founder Maria Adebowale-Schwarte believes that entire communities need to be involved in green urban design so that the benefits of nature can be shared by all. Living Space Project supports young people in London, Berlin, and Amsterdam to become part of the decision-making and design process for inclusive environments and access to green spaces.
But encouraging busy urbanites to take advantage of natural environments can be a challenge. Landscape architecture practice Grant Associates show how nature can be made mobile and appeal to the whole family with their annual pop-up event in Bath, Forest of Imagination. Appearing in different places across the city each year since 2014, the Forest of Imagination is a 4-day art event that transforms the landscape into a magical world of nature and creativity. The event includes magical trails, interactive installations, and hands-on workshops. Although only temporary, such events may help to reinforce a connection to nature in urban environments by encouraging families to utilise green urban spaces.
Grant Associates were also behind the Gardens at the Bay design in Singapore. The design includes 18 futuristic Supertrees set within a biodiverse landscape of flora and fauna. And the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories house endangered species of plants offset by lush waterfalls. The design shows how nature, urban life, and futuristic thinking can merge into a spectacular phenomenon for all to explore and enjoy.
As Lucy McRobert of The Wildlife Trusts told the BBC, "Nature isn't a miracle cure for diseases. But by interacting with it, spending time in it, experiencing it and appreciating it we can reap the benefits of feeling happier and healthier as a result." Contact with nature is one of many factors that may improve mental health by increasing a sense of wellbeing. It seems that nature can serve as a complementary function in urban design for healthier living and improved mental health.
Join for the latest tech, design and industry news straight to your inbox.
Our UX team designs customer experiences and digital products that your users will love.
Google's Mystery Operating System Gets Developer Access
COVID-19, Vaccine-Makers, and Cyber Threat Actors
The Sounds of a Good UI
Foldable Phones – are these futuristic handsets worthwhile?
The Luminal Boom of AI: Artificial Intelligence, Powered by Light
Netflix Direct: No Choice, No Decisions, Easy Consumption
Privacy "Nutrition Labels"
Virtual Reality: Tech's 'Gift of Possibilities' to the Corporate World
Drones Are Leading to An Agricultural Revolution
The Light Side of The Moon: Water Found in Sunlit Areas
Snapchat Gets Creative with City Painter
AI: How The Economist's Machine Learning Algorithm Has Predicted the Outcome of U.S. Elections
Katherine Johnson — the mathmatician behind one of the biggest space projects in history
The Entanglement of Product Thinking and Problem Solving
Battling Against Food Waste With AI
TreeCard's Recyclable Wooden Debit Cards
Featured Project // Ladbrokes
We helped Ladbrokes design the new Virtual Sports for their Mobile and Tablet Sportsbook!
We're an agency of user experience consultants based in London, UK
How to run an efficient remote design critique https://t.co/1pz4Hr1IUk #design #remoteworking /SC https://t.co/Ud16QEKAWV
How to Make Glassmorphism More Accessible https://t.co/xbtBr69tQr #Glassmorphism #UX #accessibility /SC https://t.co/n5rnHZyqtv
© 2020 UX Connections


text:
Glossary article
Bordered Red Banner
Peter Dekker
The "Bordered White Banner" was one of the Qing's "Eight Banners".
English: "Bordered Red Banner"
Mandarin Chinese: Xiānghóngqí (鑲紅旗)
Manchu: kubuhe fulgiyan gūsa
The Eight Banners (Bāqí (八旗) in Chinese or jakūn gūsa in Manchu) were administrative divisions under which all Manchu households were placed. Manchus were typically born under a certain banner and served under that banner for life. In rare cases, families were moved from one banner to another. There were also Eight Mongolian and Chinese Banners.
"Bannermen" enjoyed privileges like steady payment in silver, stipends of rice and land grants, and exemption from torture when caught for a crime. In return, Bannermen were the emperor's servants and could only become warrior or official. Every banner family was to provide a number of warriors and take care of a certain number of horses.
Bannermen lived in Beijing's inner city surrounding the imperial palace, or in one of the many walled garrisons throughout the empire. The Eight Banners served as an elite front-line army in the many Qing wars of conquest and expansion.
The full article on Bāqí (八旗), "the Eight Banners".
Qing (1644-1912) Manchu
Qing dynasty military
A Chinese hook sword
A rather well-made example of its type.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Wonderful opportunity to combine professional fulfillment and an outdoor life style all in one! We are located in SW Oregon, snuggled between the Rogue River and the Siskiyou Mountain Range. Our climate is perfect for activities year round, including lake and river fishing, snow skiing, hiking and rafting to mention a few.
All Creatures Animal Hospital is a busy, small animal practice, and we have just again been voted Best Veterinarian by the Medford Mail tribune. We are looking for friendly, team oriented doctors to join our staff. We provide a full spectrum of services while at the same time keep our prices reasonable for our clients. Daytime schedule with no after hour emergencies. NEW GRADS WELCOME. We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, generous PTO, all professional dues and CE paid for, and pet care for your furry family.
Our business hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 to 5:30 and Saturday 7:30 to 2:00.
Additional Salary Information: Salary is commensurate with experience($75,000 to $90,000 for new grads, and commensurate with experience for other applicants).10 days paid vacation per year! Opportunity available for student loan repayment.


Interior Design Japan #8 - SOM Tokyo Midtown was uploaded in July 20, 2018 at 7:33 am. If you want to manage this photo as your computer background, you may tap the download link below or you may just right click on the picture at the top , then tap "Save Image As" to download the Interior Design Japan #8 - SOM Tokyo Midtown or by tap the "Set Desktop Background As" section if your browser has this option. If you were no able to obtain the the greatest photo you are expecting for, you should go for "Search Column" at top right or browse different photo wallpapers whatever you wish. This image has the picture size is 226kB and the resolution of 1600x914. Interior Design Japan #8 - SOM Tokyo Midtown has been seen by 35 users and it is a picture from Interior Design Japan.


text:
Q: How to calculate the integral of a product of functions? I search an alternate expression for

∫f(x)g(x)

I'd like to express it in terms of $f$ and $g$ and $n$-th derivatives and antiderivatives of $f$ and $g$.
For example, I could use something like this: (if it where a solution)
f'(x)+F(x)g(x)-5g'(x)x+ln(x)
I don't mind if those terms are "of infinite length". (like for example a Taylor series)
However, I would prefer a "finite term" as solution. (regardless of its length)
I doubt that there is a solution to this in form of a "finite term", using only $f$ and $g$ and $n$th derivatives and antiderivatives of $f$ and $g$, because that would render the partial integration quite useless.
I cannot use solutions containing any Integrals over "composite terms".
like, for example:
∫f(x)g(x)dx=F(x)g(x)-∫F(x)g'(x)dx
If the solution uses a Taylor series, I'd like to know when exactly this solution can be employed, because as far as I know, a taylor series does not always converge.
similarly, if the solution uses any other infinite series approaching the result, Id like to know under wich circumstances it can be applied, too. (are there any cases where the series used does not converge?)

A: The only known solution to your problem is integration by parts and you do not like it .
Other than that you need restrictions on $f$ and $g$ to try substitution .
In special cases such as polynomials or some trig functions you may find answers but in general the problem is too broad to be solved.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
SiRT Media Release: Domestic assault charges laid against HRP officer
Posted: May 1, 2015 - 1:00 am
Statement from HRP: On April 8, HRP received a complaint in relation to an alleged domestic assault by one of our officers. This matter was immediately referred to the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT). SiRT investigated the file and today laid two assault charges against Constable Jason Murray, who has been with HRP for 6 years. Constable Murray has been placed on administrative duties.
Every time an officer is charged criminally, it's a concern to us. We recognize and accept the expectation that police officers be beyond reproach, so it's disconcerting for our organization, employees and community when an officer is alleged to have broken the laws they are sworn to uphold. That said, it's important to keep in mind that an officer charged criminally, like any other person, is innocent until proven guilty.
A corresponding Police Act investigation was commenced at the outset of this matter and, as per normal procedure, suspended pending the completion of the criminal proceedings. The Police Act investigation will resume following the matter which is now before the courts.
Below is the media release issued by SiRT today about this matter:
SiRT— Domestic Assault Charges laid against HRP officer
The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today laid two charges of assault against Cst. Jason Richard Murray, a 43-year-old member of the Halifax Regional Police (HRP).
On April 8, HRP contacted SiRT about information they received from a member of the public that suggested a possible domestic assault against a female by an HRP officer. SiRT opened an investigation into the matter the next day, and conducted several interviews over the next few weeks.
As a result of the investigation two charges of assault against Cst. Murray were laid today in Dartmouth Provincial Court. One relates to an incident alleged to have occurred in October or November of 2013, and the second involves an incident alleged to have occurred between April and July of 2014. The complainant in both charges is a 44-year-old woman.
Cst. Murray voluntarily met with SiRT investigators yesterday, April 30, and was formally arrested on the charges. He was released on a promise to appear and an undertaking given to an officer in charge, which contains several conditions, including a requirement he does not have any contact with the complainant or witnesses, does not possess a firearm, and abstains from the consumption of alcohol. He is due to appear in Provincial Court in Dartmouth on May 20, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.
The Serious Incident Response Team is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia, which includes all allegations of domestic violence. All investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald.
The team can independently begin an investigation after a referral from a chief of police, the head of the RCMP in Nova Scotia or the Minister of Justice. It can also investigate after a complaint from the public.
The Police Act requires the director to file a public report summarizing the result of the investigation within three months after it is finished.
© 2020 Halifax Regional Municipality. Content last modified May 1 2015.


Jan O'Sullinan, who launched Kemmy's Limerick Miscellany, and Editor Denis O'Shaughnessy at the launch.
Check out 'On The Nail' Slide Show!
Great night at The Locke Bar last night for the 'On The Nail' reading celebrating National Poetry Day…lots of fine poetry and music!
You are currently browsing the Limerick Writers' Centre blog archives for October, 2009.