Nature and Ageing Well in Towns and Cities: Why the Natural Environment Matters for Healthy Ageing

This report sets out findings from a three-year research project aiming to understand the benefits and values of urban green infrastructure to older people and how green infrastructure attributes and interventions can best support healthy ageing in urban areas. The project was conducted in Greater Manchester and run as a partnership between a range of researchers, organisations, practitioners, and community groups. Each brought a different perspective on green infrastructure, health and wellbeing, and how to value the contributions of urban green and blue space for health and wellbeing in later life. The project team also worked with older people, not only as participants but also as co researchers helping to shape and deliver the programme of work. Findings are presented for the Greater Manchester city region but are expected to have wider resonance given that Greater Manchester has many physical, social and economic characteristics shared with other urban areas.