Climate change poses a threat to the mental wellbeing of humans and this effect increases in cities that face rising temperatures, noise and air pollution. Globally, climate change is causing place-based distress (Albrecht, G.,2011). Although the effects of climate change on morbidity and mortality have been studied at length, other secondary impacts on people’s health and wellbeing, though recognised, have not yet been investigated (Smith et al., 2014).

This study attempts to explore how the presence and quality of green open spaces in complex dense urban environments affect the relational wellbeing (RWB) of vulnerable youth. The effects of green spaces on physical and mental health are well established in current literature, but there are two gaps: the situation in dense urban environments, and the effectiveness of micro-interventions.

The research will question how the co-design process affects the relational wellbeing of participants involved (qualitative design), and to what extent the micro-scale green public spaces (MSGPS) intervention enhances the relational wellbeing of residents in an urban village in New Delhi, as measured by psychometric tools (quantitative design).

For interventions to be meaningful, the use of participatory methods are key. These methods must be dynamic and interactive to ensure maximum engagement. Youth will have access to both physical and digital platforms where they can engage in brainstorming, problem-solving and decision-making activities. Creative approaches such as participatory mapping or design group sessions will encourage artistic and innovative expressions of their ideas, capturing the nuanced aspects of their experiences with public spaces and helping shape interventions that are in line with their lived realities. Quantitative before-and-after comparisons with a large sample will be used to test the effectiveness of the interventions.

1. To design micro-scale green public spaces (MSGPS) through community participation and co-design techniques
2. To test the effectiveness of co-design exercises in improving the relational wellbeing of participants
3. To test the effectiveness of MSGPS in improving the relational wellbeing of participants

This study attempts to explore the connections between the spatial environment and RWB. The research aims to extend the existing framework and address key gaps in the literature on spatial determinants of wellbeing.

Secondly, the study focuses on the role of green spaces and RWB, since the literature demonstrates a strong link between green spaces and wellbeing. However, their specific role in enhancing relational wellbeing, especially in high-density urban environments, remains underexplored. Access to green spaces is particularly critical for youth populations, who are particularly vulnerable to stress and mental health challenges. Within the context of dense urban areas with a scarcity of open spaces, small-scale green interventions can offer significant opportunities to improve RWB.

The principal investigators will monitor the progress of the work. ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability professionals will also be able to monitor the development of the intervention. After project completion, the research team will continue to engage with the community to ensure long-term sustainability of the green spaces. Community ownership of the green spaces will be encouraged through training in maintenance practices, and cooperation with local authorities will be sought to ensure continued upkeep of the interventions with minimal ecological impact. Regular post-project monitoring will include assessments of waste generation, resource consumption and overall environmental impact to ensure that the ecological mitigation strategies remain effective in the long term.