Greenness and greening: Theoretical and practical implications for promoting subjective well-being

The importance of nature for human health has been hindered by urban vacancy, resulting in disparities in access to nature, outdoor recreation participation, and associated health benefits, especially in neighborhoods of color. Urban greening strategies seek to mitigate these disparities by improving green infrastructure and access for diverse populations. Nonetheless, the impact of municipal greening strategies on enhancing subjective well-being of residents in underserved communities remains uncertain. This dissertation explores the relationship between green nature and subjective well-being in urban neighborhoods, conceptualizing both greenness (exposure to nature) and greening (active participation in the greening process) as important factors influencing human well-being. Using a three-paper format, the dissertation adapts the concept of greenness in an empirical study using the 2020 Healthy Chicago Survey dataset in the first paper, explores a greening framework along with a multi-dimensional development of subjective well-being in the second paper, and finally develops a conceptual framework that distinguishes between greenness and greening based on insights from the literature and the first two empirical studies. The findings reveal the outcomes of greenness and processes of greening in multiple dimensions of subjective well-being: evaluative, experienced, and eudemonic. The study lends support to inform policymaking to integrate greenness and greening into urban development strategies as a means to address health and well-being disparities in underserved neighborhoods.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Jeong, Wonjin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Stewart, William
• Stodolska, Monika
• Kang, Hyojung
• Martenies, Sheena

• Urban Greening
• Urban Green Space
• Health
• Environmental Justice

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Wonjin Jeong

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124512

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F124512