Graduate Student, School of the Built Environment
PhD candidate
Thesis Title: Finding Headspace in Green Workplaces: Assessing the restorative value of Science Park open space
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Dr Caroline Brown
Dr Alicia Montarzino |
About
A significant and growing body of evidence demonstrating the role of greenspace in promoting both physical and mental health has positioned greenspace firmly within Scotland’s health agenda. International research on Restorative Environments has demonstrated that spending time in green environments and viewing natural features in window views can both help to reduce stress and boost recovery from mental fatigue in the short term. In the longer term regular exposure to greenspace can promote wellbeing and cognitive functioning and enhance coping resources. A significant proportion of new commercial property development now occurs at urban-fringe business sites like Science Parks, where low density development and a high quality green environment are prioritised. There is clearly a great deal of scope in these workplaces for employees to benefit from the restorative effects of nature by taking breaks outdoors and through access to window views of greenspace from inside buildings. Furthermore, employees in Science Parks may be a population which experiences especially high drains on their cognitive resources, so opportunities to regain focus and boost mental functioning through these types of restorative experiences may be of particular value in this type of workplace. There are clear implications of this for the wellbeing and productivity of those working in Science Parks and hence also for the businesses located there. However, the evidence base on the restorative value of greenspace in the workplace context is limited, and none of the existing research relates to UK workplaces. This research aims to address this gap.
Research objectives:
• Examine the extent to which viewing and using greenspace at the workplace influences employees’ wellbeing and quality of life.
• Explore how employees on Science Parks use, value and experience the outdoor environment of their workplace, with a view to informing the design of future developments to maximise opportunities for psychological restoration.
Methods:
A) Online survey of employees on 5 case study Science Park sites
B) Semi-structured 'go alongs' or 'walking interviews' with employees
Contact Information
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0131 451 4601 (university) |
