Urban green space and mental well-being of older adults: participatory action research in Hong Kong

Increasing urbanization and the aging global population highlight cities as vital environments for promoting healthy aging. However, the relationship between characteristics of urban green spaces and older adults' mental well-being remains unclear. This study employed participatory action research to investigate the impact of urban green space characteristics on the mental well-being of older adults in Hong Kong. Collaborating with 15 community-dwelling older adults through photovoice and design workshops, thematic analysis was used to code and analyze data. Through collaboration, four key themes were identified as key characteristics of urban green spaces and their underlying pathways to benefit late-life mental well-being: spaciousness as a psychological buffer in high-density urban living, restorative urban oases facilitating daily stress-coping strategies, inclusive design to encourage active aging in close-door urban living settings, and self-made spaces fostering co-production and ownership. This study underscores the potential of urban green spaces for large-scale, place-based health promotion strategies to support mental well-being in healthy aging, emphasizing their roles in fostering well-being among older adults.