Page - 403 - in Biodiversity and Health in the Face of Climate Change

403 There was inconclusive evidence to support urban greenways or trails regardless of whether there were promotion and/or marketing activities to encourage use of the greenway/trails. There was limited evidence for park-based interventions that only involved physical change to the urban green space (i.e. they did not include Case Study: Woods in and Around Towns, Multiple Locations, Scotland, UK Led by Forestry Commission Scotland, this greening intervention targets deprived urban areas within Scotland. The intervention aims to enhance qual- ity of life for local residents by restoring nearby wooded green spaces and improving access to these sites. The intervention sites undergo practical upgrades such as creating and maintaining paths and trails, providing seating and resting areas, installing signs and trail ‘guideposts’ and implementing initiatives to improve the safety of the sites through designing and maintain- ing paths with a clear line of sight. Social engagement is also a key compo- nent, with intervention sites hosting organised community events such as group walks, conservation events and family fun days. Analysis of cross- sectional data from residents living with 500  m of an intervention site has shown significant increases in visits to the green space, improved attitudes towards using the green space for physical activity, and greater perceptions of safety in comparison to a control site. Through implementing interventions in deprived urban areas this intervention helps to promote equity and provide health outcomes for those who are likely to benefit the most from green space access (Fig.  17.4). Fig. 17.4 The left panel shows the entrance to greenspace before intervention implementa- tion and the right panel shows post intervention implementation as part of the Woods in and Around Towns programme, Scotland, UK. (Image: Left panel: Eva Silveirinha de Oliveira, Right Panel: Sara Tilley OPENspace Research Centre) 17 Environmental, Health and  Equity Effects of  Urban Green Space Interventions