Planting Urban Health - Integrating Architecture and Productive Urban Greenspace into an Educational Health Facility

Abstract

Chronic health conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are on the rise in Canada, and particularly in Nova Scotia. Lifestyle-related factors including stress level, exercise, and a healthy diet are crucial to preventing such illnesses. Research shows that access to greenspace can greatly effect physical and mental health in terms of stress-reduction, social cohesion and exercise promotion. Importantly, food-producing greenspace provides further mental and physical benefits; highlighting the importance of a healthy diet and a connection to the earth. Despite these findings, productive greenspace in our cities as a viable source of wellness is not optimized. This project, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, examines how productive greenspace can be integrated with interactive learning spaces to encourage a preventative approach to lifestyle-based illnesses.