Effect of Urban Green Spaces on Residents’ Well-Being in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria

Abstract

Participation in activities in urban green areas and parks has a substantial impact on the physical, social, and mental health of the residents. The aim of the research is to assess how green spaces in cities affect the well-being of residents in the Abuja Municipal Area Council. This research was done using a cross-sectional method with a focus on the urban green spaces and parks in AMAC. A total of 430 residents from estimated population of 1,775,432 in 2021 were randomly sampled using structured questionnaires. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and mean), and the relationship between accessibility and utilization of urban green spaces on the wellbeing of residents (Physical, social and mental well-being) were tested using Bi-variate analysis (Spearman rank correlation (rs) and logistic regression in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings reveals that the distance to the nearest urban green space and parks positively affect well-being (β = .111, p < .05), whereas the length of stay at the urban green spaces and parks has significant negative effect on the resident’s well-being (β = -.342, p < .001) in AMAC. In overall, the result of the study reveals that the amount of public participation in urban green spaces has a significant positive impact on the well-being of residents. Participants who often visit urban green areas and parks report increased satisfaction with their physical, social and mental well-being.