Greenspace and Health Photovoice Study

Our Study

SCORCH is dedicated to research and programs that will empower communities in dry regions, both locally and globally, to adapt to the health risks of climate change and to build health equity as heat, drought, wildfires, and other climate crises threaten population health. Within SCORCH, the VIVA Photovoice Project is part of SCORCH’s continued commitment to understanding how greenspaces affect community health in Southern Arizona. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impacts greenspaces have on the health of communities in Southern Arizona and to determine the trade-offs that communities may be willing to make in these green spaces. The study will be broken up into three phases:

01. Focus Groups

We are interested in learning more about our community's perceptions of green spaces such as parks and backyard spaces. In this study, participants will share their experiences with green spaces and how they impact their health. This information will be used to help city and landscape planners and architects to make decisions in the future, as well as inform the design of a tool which may be used to determine how green space designs may impact the health of a community. This study is being conducted by a group at the College of Architecture Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona through the Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate Change and Health (SCORCH). Participation time in the study would take about 60-90 minutes for an initial focus group discussion or interview and subsequently a possible 60-120 minutes per session for 5-7 sessions for the photovoice phase, for 1-3 select groups.

02. Photovoices

Photovoice is a participatory research method that puts cameras in the hands of community members, giving them the opportunity to capture and share their own experiences with parks, backyards, and neighborhood spaces. Through photos and stories, the VIVA participants reflect on how the environment impacts their health, engage in group discussions, and help identify priorities for healthier, more equitable urban spaces.

During this phase, participants will be trained in basic photography and asked to take pictures of their lived experiences. They will then develop narratives and captions for each photo and identify major themes to be presented in a final exhibition of the photos to share findings with the community.

03. Survey

We will wrap up the study with a community-based survey where we will ask participants to weigh the options of different types of greenspaces with varying characteristics and explore the tradeoffs Southern Arizona residents are willing to make. We will have the chance to explore preferences for certain health or environmental impacts in their community, as well as particular recreational or aesthetic features.

Benefits of Greenspaces

Community Well-Being

Green spaces encourage exercise, provide a community hub for socializing, decrease noise and air pollution, and improve immune function.

Trees- A Breath of Fresh Air

The tree in your yard that your kids play on or you sit under can remove 26 lbs. of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. Your family can breath easier now.

Green Spaces Protect Mental Health

Studies show that green spaces can have a protective effect on mental well-being.

Green Spaces Add Value

There is a significant link between property value and the proximity to parks, greenbelts, and other green spaces.

Green Spaces Soak Up Heat

Lawns can be up to 30 degrees cooler than sidewalks. What surface do you want your kids to play on?

"It’s nice
to have
green,
no
matter
how
little"

"Our desert plants grow together as if they needed each other.
We see palo verde trees next to mesquite trees. Bushes, grass.
Abundance of food for the existence of our wildlife.
Truly a Blessing."