Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2012
This publication aims to provide an easily accessible reference document which offers information on a wide range of environmental topics. It covers key datasets on the state of the environment in Scotland, with an emphasis on the trends over time wherever possible.
Frequency of Use of Local Greenspace: 2011
Frequency of use by time to walk to nearest useable greenspace (percentage of adults)[8]
Greenspaces are a vital part of the landscape. Having easy access to quality greenspace can improve people's quality of life by increasing neighbourhood satisfaction, promoting mental and physical health (including through its association with increased physical activity), and reducing health inequalities.[9] It is important to understand the accessibility and use of, and peoples' satisfaction with, local greenspace, in order to inform the development of policies designed to promote quality of life through enhancing the physical environments Scotland's communities are exposed to and our use and enjoyment of them.
The Scottish Household Survey collects data on how accessible people's nearest useable greenspace is from their home (measured in terms of the time taken to walk there), and how often they use it. In 2011 it identified that over half (56%) of adults in Scotland live less than five minutes walk away from a useable greenspace, 28% live a 5-10 minute walk away and 17% live more than a 10 minute walk away. It also identified that a third (33%) of adults in Scotland use their local greenspace every day or several times a week, 38% use it once a week or less, and 29% do not use it all.
There is a strong link between how far people have to walk to reach their local greenspace and how often they use it. Adults who live less than a 5 minute walk from useable greenspace are almost twice as likely to use it every day or several times a week than those who live a 5-10 minute walk away (44% versus 24%), and are four times more likely to use it every day or several times a week than those who live more than a 10 minute walk away (44% versus 11%). Similarly, those who live more than a 10 minute walk from useable greenspace are more than twice as likely to say they never use it than those who live less than a five minute walk away (47% versus 22%).
Source: Scottish Household Survey / Metadata
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Email: Sandy McPhee
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