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urbanparksgirl

@urbanparksgirl.bsky.social

410 followers 490 following 79 posts

I live among London's parks & green infrastructure. My research explores #urbangreenspace in densely developed areas. Dr Meredith Whitten @UCL-Bartlett School of Planning (IG: @urbanparksgirl)

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Mar 7

New paper! In Invisible & overlooked: young people’s perceptions of managing green spaces for mental wellbeing, I find management practices contribute to 16-25yo feeling excluded & detached from #parks & #urbangreenspaces & perceive children are prioritised in these spaces. doi.org/10.1080/2374...

Invisible and overlooked: young people’s perceptions of managing green spaces for mental wellbeing

Spending time in green space is associated with improved health and wellbeing for urban residents. The relationship between urban green space and mental wellbeing is increasingly studied, with acce...

doi.org

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · 8d

See CFP for #AAG2026 session on the politics of #greenspace in a polarized world below.

We look forward to your contributions!

Michelle Stuhlmacher, PhD @mstuhlmacher.bsky.social · 8d

It's that time of year again (i.e., when @geographers.bsky.social CFP start streaming in)!

For #AAG2026, @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social, @jkhawes.bsky.social, and I are organizing a session on the politics of green space in a polarized world.

To take part, send us your abstract by Oct 26th 📧

Screenshot of the call for proposals for "Contested Natures: The Politics of Green Space in a Polarized World"

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · 10d

Explosion of colour in Red Cross Garden giving October feels. #urbangreenspace @bostse1

Reposted by urbanparksgirl

The Geographical Journal @thegj.bsky.social · 15d

📢New Issue of The GJ!📢

𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡

September's Issue features the 'Legacies of Austerity' Special Section alongside 9 papers, 3 commentaries, and records of the 2025 RGS-IBG Medals and Awards ceremony.

Take a look here ⬇️

rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754959...

A graphic showing the title page of The Geographical Journal on a blue background with The GJ in large letters on the right hand page. On the left hand page are eight tiles showing the Special Section 'Legacies of Austerity', with the names of papers in the issue. The names of the papers and authors are as follows:

1) 'Legacies of Austerity: Editorial Introduction' by Sander van Lanen & Sarah Marie Hall
2) 'Family Hubs and the vulnerable care ecologies of child and family welfare in austerity' by Tom Disney et al.
3) 'Relational legacies and relative experiences: Austerity, inequality and access to special educational needs and disability (SEND) support in London, England' by Rosalie Warnock
4) 'Lived experiences of utilities-based indebtedness in Greece: Tracing the afterlives of austerity' by Aliki Koutlou
5) 'Grassroots temporary urbanism as a challenge to the city of austerity? Lessons from a self-organised park in Thessaloniki, Greece' by Matina Kapsali
6) 'De-municipalisation? Legacies of austerity for England's urban parks' by Andrew Smith et al.
7) 'Austerity's afterlives? The case of community asset transfer in the UK' by Neil Turnbull
8) 'Austere futures: From hardship to hope?' by Julie MacLeavy

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · 14d

Happy #PublicLandsDay!

Whether it's a municipal pocket park or a vast federally designated wilderness area, our lives are richer for the presence of public lands.

📷by me during my first trip to #BigBendNationalPark, a few decades ago!

Reposted by urbanparksgirl

Democrats @democrats.org · 14d

Happy National Public Lands Day, America!

Graphic featuring a backdrop of a vibrant mountain landscape and a clear turquoise lake, with the following text:

'PUBLIC LANDS ARE FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT BILLIONAIRES'

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Sep 8

#urbangreenspace + #activetravel = healthier journeys #curteadearges #romania

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Sep 4

I am partial to linear parks and greenways and #Sibiu delivers. Parcul Sub Arini provides a calming, beautiful route through miles of an urban area. And, dear to my heart: no fences! #urbangreenspace 🇷🇴

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Sep 3

Even historic old towns need #urbangreenspace. #sighisoara #PiațaHermannOberth

Reposted by urbanparksgirl

NPR @npr.org · Aug 22

Millions of audio recordings of hundreds of bird species have revealed that artificial light is making the birds wake up earlier and go to bed later.

Artificial light has essentially lengthened birds' day

Millions of audio recordings of hundreds of bird species have revealed that artificial light is making the birds wake up earlier and go to bed later.

n.pr

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Aug 19

Call for allotments with all new homes 'impractical' say builders - BBC News share.google/FQLyenaulKIT...

Call for allotments with all new homes 'impractical' say builders - BBC News

Builders are sceptical of a call for all new developments to have spaces for growing food.

share.google

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Aug 10

Even the smallest city in Britain needs #urbangreenspace. #stdavids #wales @pembscoast.bsky.social #crosssquare

Reposted by urbanparksgirl

The Dallas Morning News @dallasnews.com · Jul 25

In a recent study published in the journal Academic Pediatrics, physicians at UT Southwestern Medical Center found the proportion of emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses among children in the Dallas area rose 170% between 2012 and 2023.

Dallas-area children hospitalized for heat-related illnesses soars 170% since 2012

A UT Southwestern Medical Center study echoed findings that heat-related illnesses are increasing not just in the United States but worldwide.

www.dallasnews.com

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jul 22

Get a 20% discount until 18 August with code WZgUCX29Thbqpg.

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jul 22

My chapter, Sidelined by History: Revisiting the Evolution of Green-Space Planning, is available in New Planning Histories, at doi.org/10.1007/978-....
It explores how diverse voices, incl women, non-whites, Indigenous people & non-Western voices, are marginalised in #greenspace planning histories.

Sidelined by History: Revisiting the Evolution of Green-Space Planning

The integration of green spaces into urban environments is well established in mainstream planning history. However, normative histories often present an exclusionary and homogenised narrative of the ...

doi.org

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jul 19

Source: BBC
search.app/UC9X3

NHS staff being trained to use outdoors for treating patients

Don't underestimate the importance of nature for tackling poor mental health, says Natural England.

search.app

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jul 19

An abandoned planter is now the Woodhead Road Wildlife Garden thanks to local vols, Nether Edge & Sharrow Sustainable Transformation, & a #KewGardens grant. This #urbangreenspace features native flowering plants that attract invertebrates, birds & night-flying insects. #Sheffield

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jul 16

Not all #urbangreenspace is outdoors. The #conservatory at @barbicancentre.bsky.social, with 1500+ species of plants across its multiple levels, is a fabulous, relaxing experience year-round. It was particularly welcoming on a hot summer day.

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jul 16

One of the top 3 city #parks systems in the US! www.tpl.org/parkscore

ParkScore - Trust for Public Land

TPL uses ParkScore to evaluate city parks and walkability. Explore our collected data, see city park rankings and find out what cities have the best parks.

www.tpl.org

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jul 16

Minneapolis is recognized as having the 3rd best city #parks system in the US. Can't get a ranking that high if your parks are unsafe and unused. www.tpl.org/parkscore

ParkScore - Trust for Public Land

TPL uses ParkScore to evaluate city parks and walkability. Explore our collected data, see city park rankings and find out what cities have the best parks.

www.tpl.org

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jul 13

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Heatwaves leave London's urban forest under extreme stress

Three heatwaves and a lack of rain have left London's trees struggling - but what can be done?

www.bbc.com

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jun 21

If you're going to blast your music next to me in the park, the least you can do is take requests. #urbangreenspace #britishheatwave #playsomethingfromthe80s

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jun 13

Enjoy glorious summer days in #urbangreenspace safely. Always wear #sunscreen.

And encourage your park & health providers to make sunscreen accessible to all. The rise in #skincancer is a public health concern.
@skincancerorg.bsky.social

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jun 12

I spy #greeninfrastructure near MI6.

New public space created as part of #tidewaylondon works include intertidal terracing planted w/species indigenous to the #Thames. Data from the project feeds into #thamesestuarypartnership's Estuary Edges initiative to improve #biodiversity. #urbangreenspace

urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jun 11

It's International Day of Play. Play is critical for child development. But, why do we signal play is no longer important once you turn 15yo?
My recent research (in Cities & Health) found that 16-25yo access #urbangreenspace less than other age cohorts b/c they feel they've aged out of playing.

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urbanparksgirl @urbanparksgirl.bsky.social · Jun 10

It can be a chaotic, stressful world these days. #urbangreenspace can help. #TavistockSquare