Promoting social cohesion and social capital increasing wellbeing

This chapter discusses how green places contribute to well-being and health through social cohesion. Social cohesion contributes positively to both mental and physical health and is influenced by neighbourhood characteristics (such as socioeconomic deprivation) and individual characteristics (such as age). As neighbourhood green spaces are often perceived as attractive places to visit, they provide ample opportunities for residents to meet other people and interact. These interactions form the basis of neighbourhood social cohesion. This chapter reveals that although people generally do not visit public green areas to meet strangers, they do like to engage in small talk with other visitors. These casual encounters appear to be very relevant as they create public familiarity, which results in feeling at home in a neighbourhood. Occasionally, this provides opportunities to perpetuate existing friendships and develop new ones. To facilitate neighbourhood social cohesion, the availability, functions, and quality of green areas are important.