Neighbors and NatureNeighbors and Nature

Frances E. Kuo, Rebekah L. Coley, and Frances E. Kuo, Rebekah L. Coley, and Liesette BrunsonLiesette Brunson

A study conducted byA study conducted by

Natural Resources & Environmental SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

With funding fromWith funding from• The Cooperative State Research, Education and The Cooperative State Research, Education and

Extension Service, U.S. Department of Extension Service, U.S. Department of AgricultureAgriculture

• The USDA Forest Service The USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program Urban and Community Forestry Program on the recommendation of the National Urban on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Counciland Community Forestry Advisory Council

Take home messageTake home message

Green residential spaces strengthen communities.

Take home messageTake home message

• Why Study Why Study Neighbors and NatureNeighbors and Nature??• The ApproachThe Approach• The FindingsThe Findings• So What?So What?

Presentation outlinePresentation outline

Why Study Neighbors and Why Study Neighbors and Nature?Nature?

Social ties matter. Social ties matter. They are the glue They are the glue that binds that binds individuals individuals together to form a together to form a community.community.

When neighborhood ties are When neighborhood ties are strongstrong, , residentsresidents• help and protect each otherhelp and protect each other

When neighborhood ties are When neighborhood ties are strongstrong, , residentsresidents• help and protect each otherhelp and protect each other• feel empowered to take actionfeel empowered to take action

When neighborhood ties are When neighborhood ties are weakweak, , residentsresidents• feel isolated and unsupportedfeel isolated and unsupported

When neighborhood ties are When neighborhood ties are weakweak, , residentsresidents• feel isolated and unsupportedfeel isolated and unsupported• have fewer resources to rely onhave fewer resources to rely on

Greener residential spaces

Stronger neighborhood ties

We know that informal social We know that informal social contact on shared paths can contact on shared paths can lead to social ties.lead to social ties.

Contact in other common areas might Contact in other common areas might also provide chances for social ties to also provide chances for social ties to form.form. More use

of spaces Stronger neighborhood ties

If common areas aren’t If common areas aren’t used, these chances to form used, these chances to form ties won’t occur.ties won’t occur.

Greener residential spaces

More use of spaces

The more trees a residential space has, The more trees a residential space has, the more likely it is to be used.the more likely it is to be used.

• dislikeddisliked• fearedfeared• unusedunused

Barren spacesBarren spaces

• likedliked• feel saferfeel safer• well usedwell used

Green spacesGreen spaces

Can trees promote Can trees promote neighborhood social ties by neighborhood social ties by drawing residents into drawing residents into outdoor common spaces?outdoor common spaces?

This study examines the following This study examines the following relationships:relationships:

Greener residential spaces

More use of spaces Stronger

Neighborhood Ties

21

3

The ApproachThe Approach

The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen as a research site becauseas a research site because• buildings are similar; only the quantity of buildings are similar; only the quantity of

nearby vegetation differsnearby vegetation differs

The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen as a research site becauseas a research site because• buildings are similar; only the quantity of buildings are similar; only the quantity of

nearby vegetation differsnearby vegetation differs• residents are randomly assigned to buildingsresidents are randomly assigned to buildings

The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen The Robert Taylor Homes were chosen as a research site becauseas a research site because• buildings are similar; only the quantity of buildings are similar; only the quantity of

nearby vegetation differsnearby vegetation differs• residents are randomly assigned to buildingsresidents are randomly assigned to buildings• residents have similar characteristicsresidents have similar characteristics

The participants wereThe participants were• 145 female, heads of household, under 60 145 female, heads of household, under 60

years oldyears old

The participants wereThe participants were• 145 female, heads of household, under 60 145 female, heads of household, under 60

years oldyears old• from 18 buildings that varied along the full from 18 buildings that varied along the full

range of vegetationrange of vegetation

The participants wereThe participants were• 145 female, heads of household, under 60 145 female, heads of household, under 60

years oldyears old• from 18 buildings that varied along the full from 18 buildings that varied along the full

range of vegetationrange of vegetation• recruited by interviewers going door-to-doorrecruited by interviewers going door-to-door

MeasuresMeasures• A “Greenness of Common Spaces” score was A “Greenness of Common Spaces” score was

obtained for each building.obtained for each building.

Measuring greenness of common Measuring greenness of common spacesspaces

Robert Taylor Homes without trees (barren)

Robert Taylor Homes with trees (green)

MeasuresMeasures• A “Greenness of Common Spaces” score was A “Greenness of Common Spaces” score was

obtained for each building.obtained for each building.• Residents rated how much time they spent Residents rated how much time they spent

just outside their building.just outside their building.

MeasuresMeasures• A “Greenness of Common Spaces” score was A “Greenness of Common Spaces” score was

obtained for each building.obtained for each building.• Residents rated how much time they spent Residents rated how much time they spent

just outside their building.just outside their building.• Residents reported on their neighborhood Residents reported on their neighborhood

social ties.social ties.

Different aspects of neighborhood social Different aspects of neighborhood social ties were measured:ties were measured:• socializing at Robert Taylor Homessocializing at Robert Taylor Homes• knowing nearby neighborsknowing nearby neighbors• local sense of communitylocal sense of community

Finally, the relationships Finally, the relationships between greenness, common between greenness, common space use, and social ties space use, and social ties were analyzed.were analyzed.

The FindingsThe Findings

Are greener spaces used more?Are greener spaces used more?

Greener residential spaces

More use of spaces?1

Greenness of building’s common spaceGreenness of building’s common space

Use of building’s Use of building’s common spacescommon spaces

0

.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Yes! Green spaces are used Yes! Green spaces are used moremore

No useNo use

Very muchVery much

not greennot green very greenvery green

Do well-used spaces lead to stronger Do well-used spaces lead to stronger neighborhood ties?neighborhood ties?

More use of spaces Stronger

Neighborhood Ties?

2

4

Local sense of Local sense of communitycommunity

Nearby Nearby neighborsneighbors

General General social tiessocial ties

Socializing Socializing at Taylorat Taylor

Use of building’s common spacesUse of building’s common spaces Use of building’s common spacesUse of building’s common spaces

Use of building’s common spacesUse of building’s common spaces Use of building’s common spacesUse of building’s common spaces

0.51

1.52

2.53

3.5

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 40.51

1.52

2.53

3.54

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

0.51

1.52

2.53

3.54

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 40.51

1.52

2.53

3.54

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

Yes! More use of common Yes! More use of common spaces leads to stronger tiesspaces leads to stronger ties

Do greener spaces result in stronger Do greener spaces result in stronger ties?ties?

Stronger Neighborhood Ties?

Greener residential spaces 3

Greenness of common spacesGreenness of common spaces

Local sense Local sense of of

communitycommunity

Greenness of common spacesGreenness of common spaces

Nearby Nearby neighborsneighbors

Greenness of common spacesGreenness of common spaces

General General social tiessocial ties

Greenness of common spacesGreenness of common spaces

Socializing Socializing at Taylorat Taylor

1.5

2.5

3.5

0.51

2

3

4

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

0.51

1.52

2.53

3.54

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

0.51

1.52

2.53

3.54

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

0.51

1.52

2.53

3.54

0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Yes! Greener spaces lead to Yes! Greener spaces lead to stronger neighborhood tiesstronger neighborhood ties

In other wordsIn other words• Green common spaces receive significantly Green common spaces receive significantly

more use.more use.

In other wordsIn other words• Green common spaces receive significantly Green common spaces receive significantly

more use.more use. • Use of outdoor common spaces strengthens Use of outdoor common spaces strengthens

neighborhood social ties.neighborhood social ties.

In other wordsIn other words• Green common spaces receive significantly Green common spaces receive significantly

more use.more use. • Use of outdoor common spaces strengthens Use of outdoor common spaces strengthens

neighborhood social ties.neighborhood social ties.• Green common spaces lead to strong Green common spaces lead to strong

neighborhood social ties.neighborhood social ties.

So What?So What?

Poor, inner-city residents Poor, inner-city residents rely heavily on neighbors, so rely heavily on neighbors, so it is vital to form it is vital to form neighborhood ties.neighborhood ties.

But, these But, these neighborhoods neighborhoods often lack the green often lack the green spaces that help spaces that help build these ties.build these ties.

Adding trees and greenery Adding trees and greenery can help bring neighbors can help bring neighbors together.together.

Ideas for policymakers, city planners, Ideas for policymakers, city planners, developers, and building ownersdevelopers, and building owners• Include green spaces in urban developments.Include green spaces in urban developments.

Ideas for policymakers, city planners, Ideas for policymakers, city planners, developers, and building ownersdevelopers, and building owners• Include green spaces in urban developments.Include green spaces in urban developments.• Plant trees close to buildings.Plant trees close to buildings.

Ideas for policymakers, city planners, Ideas for policymakers, city planners, developers, and building ownersdevelopers, and building owners• Include green spaces in urban developments.Include green spaces in urban developments.• Plant trees close to buildings.Plant trees close to buildings.• Involve neighbors in tree planting.Involve neighbors in tree planting.

Caring for trees means Caring for trees means caring for people!caring for people!

To share this information To share this information with otherswith others

• • Copies of this presentation and other, written Copies of this presentation and other, written materials for nonscientific audiences may be materials for nonscientific audiences may be obtained at <www.lhhl.uiuc.edu> obtained at <www.lhhl.uiuc.edu>

• • To quote this information in print, please consult To quote this information in print, please consult the original scientific journal article: the original scientific journal article: Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C., Coley, R.L., & Brunson, L. Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C., Coley, R.L., & Brunson, L. (1998). Fertile ground for community: Inner-city (1998). Fertile ground for community: Inner-city neighborhood common spaces. neighborhood common spaces. American Journal of American Journal of Community PsychologyCommunity Psychology 26(6), 823-851. 26(6), 823-851.

Available at www.lhhl.uiuc.eduAvailable at www.lhhl.uiuc.edu

On details of the original studyOn details of the original studyKuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C., Coley, R.L., and Brunson, L. (1998). Fertile ground Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C., Coley, R.L., and Brunson, L. (1998). Fertile ground for community: Inner-city neighborhood common spaces. for community: Inner-city neighborhood common spaces. AmericanAmerican Journal Journal

of Community Psychologyof Community Psychology 26, 823-851. 26, 823-851. On the benefits of community social tiesOn the benefits of community social tiesGreenbaum, S.D. (1982). Bridging ties at the neighborhood social level. Greenbaum, S.D. (1982). Bridging ties at the neighborhood social level. Social NetworksSocial Networks, 4, 367-384. , 4, 367-384.

Perkins et al. (1990). Participation and the social and physical environment of Perkins et al. (1990). Participation and the social and physical environment of residential blocks: Crime and community context. residential blocks: Crime and community context. American Journal of American Journal of Community PsychologyCommunity Psychology, 18, 83-115., 18, 83-115.

Taylor, R.B., Gottfredson, S.D., Brower, S. (1981). Territorial cognitions and Taylor, R.B., Gottfredson, S.D., Brower, S. (1981). Territorial cognitions and social climate in urban neighborhoods. social climate in urban neighborhoods. Basic and Applied Social Basic and Applied Social PsychologyPsychology, 2, 289-303., 2, 289-303.

Unger, D.G., Wandersman, A. (1985). The importance of neighbors: the Unger, D.G., Wandersman, A. (1985). The importance of neighbors: the social, cognitive, and affective components of neighboring. social, cognitive, and affective components of neighboring. American American Journal of Community PsychologyJournal of Community Psychology, 13, 139-169., 13, 139-169.

To learn more:To learn more:

On problems resulting from weak social tiesOn problems resulting from weak social tiesGerson, D., Stueve, C.A., Fischer, C.S. (1977). Attachment to place. In C.S. Gerson, D., Stueve, C.A., Fischer, C.S. (1977). Attachment to place. In C.S. Fischer, R.M. Jackson, C.A. Stueve, K. Gerson, L.M. Jones, M. Baldassare Fischer, R.M. Jackson, C.A. Stueve, K. Gerson, L.M. Jones, M. Baldassare (Eds.), (Eds.), Networks and places: Social relations in the urban setting.Networks and places: Social relations in the urban setting. New New York: Free Press, pp. 139-161.York: Free Press, pp. 139-161.

Riger, S., Lavrakas, P.J. (1981). Community ties: Patterns of attachment and Riger, S., Lavrakas, P.J. (1981). Community ties: Patterns of attachment and social interaction in urban neighborhoods. social interaction in urban neighborhoods. American Journal of Community American Journal of Community PsychologyPsychology, 9, 55-66., 9, 55-66.

Riger, S., LeBailly, R.K., Gordon, M.T. (1981). Community ties and urbanites’ Riger, S., LeBailly, R.K., Gordon, M.T. (1981). Community ties and urbanites’ fear of crime: An ecological investigation. fear of crime: An ecological investigation. American Journal of Community American Journal of Community PsychologyPsychology, 9, 653-665., 9, 653-665.

Tognoli, J. (1987). Residential environments. In D. Stokois, I. Altman (Eds.), Tognoli, J. (1987). Residential environments. In D. Stokois, I. Altman (Eds.), The handbook of environmental psychologyThe handbook of environmental psychology. New York: Wiley, pp. 655-690.. New York: Wiley, pp. 655-690.

Wellman, B., Leighton, B. (1979). Networks, neighbors, and community: Wellman, B., Leighton, B. (1979). Networks, neighbors, and community: Approaches to the study of the community question. Approaches to the study of the community question. Urban Affairs QuarterlyUrban Affairs Quarterly, , 14, 363-390.14, 363-390.

To learn more:To learn more:

On shared paths and social tiesOn shared paths and social tiesFestinger, L., Schachter, S., Back, K. (1950). Festinger, L., Schachter, S., Back, K. (1950). Social pressures in informal Social pressures in informal groups; a study of human factors in housinggroups; a study of human factors in housing. New York: Holt, Rinehart & . New York: Holt, Rinehart &

Winston.Winston. On trees and common space use and On trees and common space use and preferencepreference

Coley, R.L., Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (1997). Where does community grow? Coley, R.L., Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C. (1997). Where does community grow? The social context created by nature in urban public housing. The social context created by nature in urban public housing. Environment & Environment & BehaviorBehavior, 29, 468-492., 29, 468-492.

Kuo, F.E., Bacaicoa, M., Sullivan, W.C. (1998). Transforming inner-city Kuo, F.E., Bacaicoa, M., Sullivan, W.C. (1998). Transforming inner-city landscapes: Trees, sense of safety, and preference. Environment & landscapes: Trees, sense of safety, and preference. Environment & Behavior, 30, 28-59.Behavior, 30, 28-59.

To learn more:To learn more:

Other questions?Other questions?

Contact Frances E. Kuo, Ph.D. (fekuo@uiuc.edu)Contact Frances E. Kuo, Ph.D. (fekuo@uiuc.edu)

The University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignThe University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignLandscape and Human Health LaboratoryLandscape and Human Health Laboratory1103 S. Dorner Drive, MC-6361103 S. Dorner Drive, MC-636Urbana IL 61801Urbana IL 61801