Health Promoting Outdoor Environments
The course combines mandatory online meetings with tasks carried out in groups and independently, see information below from course leader.
Information from the course leader
Dear all,
On the 20th of January 2025 at 10:00 the mandatory roll call for the course MP0008 will take place on Canvas.
We kindly ask admitted students to be part of this roll call if you want to join the course and therefore be registered.
The roll-call will take place on the course Canvas page, and to log into this page you need a SLU student account, see Checklist for international programme students and students taking freestanding courses | Studentwebben.
Link as well as password for meeting will be available at the Canvas page from January 17th 2025.
Dates for obligatory online meetings Spring semester 2025
January 20
January 22 - 24
March 3 – 5
March 25 - 27 (Own work)
May 7 - 9
Policy document -to be read and followed by all admitted students
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is not yet activated
The course evaluation is open between 2025-06-01 and 2025-06-22
Additional course evaluations for MP0008
Academic year 2023/2024
Health Promoting Outdoor Environments (MP0008-30179)
2024-01-15 - 2024-06-02
Academic year 2022/2023
Health Promoting Outdoor Environments (MP0008-30014)
2023-01-16 - 2023-06-04
Academic year 2021/2022
Health Promoting Outdoor Environments (MP0008-30257)
2022-01-17 - 2022-06-05
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
MP0008 Health Promoting Outdoor Environments, 15.0 Credits
Hälsofrämjande utomhusmiljöerSubjects
Environmental Psychology Landscape Architecture Environmental Psychology Landscape ArchitectureEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits at first cycle and 15 credits at advanced cycle and English 6Objectives
The aim of the course is to generate competence to understand, investigate, and develop health promoting environments relating to different user groups’ specific needs as well as to people’s general needs.
After completion of the course, the student will be able to:
• describe and discuss the outdoor environment as a potential health promoting resource for different user groups as well as for people in general
• investigate and analyse private and public outdoor spaces in relation to different user groups’ specific needs as well as to people’s general needs
• relate evidence based research and evidence based design to development of health promoting environments
• describe and discuss participatory research methods in relation to the development of health promoting environments
• form programs (i.e. statement of requirements) for the development of health promoting environments
• present the above described knowledge in writing as well as verbally, with the help of visual aid
Content
The course is divided into three steps. In step one, literature review, the students identify relevant aspects of health promoting environments for different user groups and for people in general and compile useful literature. This is reported in a written literature review. In step two, different ways of investigating and analysing outdoor spaces in relation to different user groups’ specific needs as well as to people’s general needs are identified and/or developed and tried out. This is reported orally in seminars and in written reports. In step three different strategies to form programs for health promoting environments are developed and compared. This step is also reported orally in seminars and in written reports. The course consists of lectures, exercises (compulsory), assignments (compulsory), seminars (compulsory), and study visits (compulsory).
The course combines mandatory online meetings with tasks carried out independently and in groups.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Participation in compulsory elements. Approved participation in seminars. Successful completion of exercises.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
The course is given as a distance course, with mandatory online meetings, at 50% speed. Basic skills in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Human Geography, Pedagogy, or Psychology are recommended.Responsible department
Department of People and Society
Further information
Litterature list
The course literature is divided in three parts:
- Basic literature for selective reading to get an orientation of theories, research and methods in the field and to start looking for a project.
- Literature describing models and tools for conducting landscape analyses in people environment studies. This literature includes references from the course LK0239/MP0002 Landscape analysis in people environment studies.
- *Project specific literature, *i.e. intensive reading of literature originating from specific searches conducted by the students, with optional guidance from the library staff: https://www.slu.se/en/subweb/library/services-and-courses/personal-help/book-a-librarian/
Most articles and book chapters are available in e-journals or e-books at SLU Library and others are available in Canvas. Note that all files provided are for personal use only, due to copyright restrictions. A few of the books are not provided as electronic resources but are available at SLU Library.
Access to online resources at the SLU Library
Many of the databases, e-journals and other online resources at the SLU Library are restricted by license agreements and can only be used within the university. VPN (Virtual private network) is a service that allows you to log in to the university's network from anywhere in the world and get access to the restricted resources. Everyone who is a student or employee at SLU can use the VPN function for making a safe connection between a computer outside SLU and the SLU network. To make it work you must have a user account in the Active Directory at SLU. Information on how to start using VPN is available on the following page: https://internt.slu.se/en/support-services/administrative-support/it/support/guider-manualer/vpn-anyconnect/ Information on how to activate your SLU user account is available here: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/it-support/support/new-student---start/
Basic literature
The basic literature is intended for selective reading to get an orientation of theories, research and methods in the field and to start looking for a project.
Anthologies
Cooper Marcus, C., Barnes, M. (Eds.), 1999. Healing Gardens: Therapeutic Benefits and Design Recommendations. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Available at SLU Library.
Cooper Marcus, C. & Sachs, N., (Eds.), 2014. Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-Based Approach to Designing Healing gardens and Restorative outdoor spaces. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Available as e-book at SLU Library.
Ward Thompson, C., Travlou, P., 2007. Open Space, People Space. Taylor and Francis. Available at SLU Library.
Specific chapters and articles
Abdul Shukor, S., Stigsdotter, U. & Nilsson, K., 2012. A review of design recommendations for outdoor areas at healthcare facilities. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, vol 22(2), pp. 33-47. Available as e-journal at SLU Library.
Alerby, E., & Engström, Å., 2021. ‘The pine tree, my good friend’: The other as more-than-human. Nursing Philosophy, 22, e12366. https://doi.org/10.1111/nup.12366
Antonovsky, A., 1996. The salutogenic model as a theory to guide health promotion. Health Promotion International, 11(1), pp. 11-18. Available at: http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/content/11/1/11.full.pdf+html
Barnes, M., Cooper Marcus, C., 1999. Design Philosophy. In: Cooper Marcus, C., Barnes, M., (Eds.), Healing gardens: Therapeutic benefits and design recommendations, John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 87-114. Available at SLU Library
Becker, C.M., Glascoff, M.A., Felts, W.M., 2010. Salutogenesis 30 Years Later: Where do we go from here? International Electronic Journal of Health Education 13, pp. 25-32. Available at: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ895721.pdf
Bergold, J., & Thomas, S. (2012). Participatory Research Methods: A Methodological Approach in Motion. Historical Social Research / Historische Sozialforschung, 37(4 (142)), 191–222. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41756482
Björk, J., Albin, M., Grahn, P., Jacobsson, H., Ardö, J., Wadbro, J., Östergren, P-O., Skärbäck, E., 2008. Recreational values of the natural environment in relation to neighbourhood satisfaction, physical activity, obesity, and well-being. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health vol 62: e2. Available at Canvas.
Evans, J. & Jones, P., 2011. The walking interview: Methodology, mobility and place. Applied Geography 31(2), 849-858. Available at: https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/files/20468122/POST-PEER-REVIEW-PUBLISHERS.PDF
Hamilton, K., 2003. The four levels of evidence-based practice. Healthcare Design e Publ., 3, pp. 18-26. Available at: http://www.healthcaredesignmagazine.com/architecture/four-levels-evidence-based-practice/
Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., de Vries, S., & Frumkin, H., 2014. Nature and Health. Annual Review of Public Health, Vol. 35, pp. 207 -228. Available at Canvas.
Hay, G.J. & Castilla, G., 2006. Object Based Image Analysis, Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOTs). From OBIA 2006 International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote sensing, and Spatial Information Sciences. Available at Canvas. (Note that this article is included because of the SWOT analysis description)
Johansson, Rolf., 2007. On case study methodology. *Open House International 32 *(3), pp. 48–54. Available at Canvas.
Kaplan, S., & Berman, M., 2010. Directed attention as a common resource for executive functioning and self-regulation. Perspectives in Psychological Science 5 (1), pp. 43-57. Available at Canvas.
Ottosson, J., 2001. The Importance of Nature in Coping with a Crisis: A photographic essay. Landscape Research 26(2), pp. 165-172. Available as e-journal at SLU Library.
Ottosson, J., Grahn, P., 2008. The role of natural settings in crisis rehabilitation: how does the level of crisis influence the response to experiences of nature with regard to measures of rehabilitation? Landscape Research 33(1), pp. 51-70. E-journal at Library.
Plambech, T., & Konijnendijk, C., 2015. The impact of nature on creativity: A study among Danish creative professionals. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 14(2), pp. 255–263. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2015.02.006 and as e-journal at SLU Library.
Sanders, E., Stappers, P., 2008. Co-creation and the new landscapes of design. CoDesign: International Journal of CoCreation in Design and the Arts 4 *(*1), pp. 5-18. Available at: http://studiolab.ide.tudelft.nl/manila/gems/contextmapping/PreprintDraft.pdf
Stigsdotter, U., 2014. Nacadia healing forest garden, Hoersholm Arboretum, Copenhagen, Denmark. In: Cooper Marcus, C., Sachs, N., (Eds.), Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-Based Approach to Designing Healing Gardens and Restorative Outdoor Spaces. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, pp. 198-205. Available as e-book at SLU Library.
Stigsdotter, U., Ekholm, O., Schipperijn, J., Toftager, M., Kamper-Jørgensen, F. & Randrup, T., 2010. Health promoting outdoor environments—associations between green space, and health, health-related quality of life and stress based on a Danish national representative survey. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 38(4), pp. 411–417. Available at Canvas.
ten Brink P., Mutafoglu K., Schweitzer J-P., Kettunen M., Twigger-Ross C., Baker J., Kuipers Y., Emonts M., Tyrväinen L., Hujala T., & Ojala A., 2016. The Health and Social Benefits of Nature and Biodiversity Protection. A report for the European Commission (ENV.B.3/ETU/2014/0039), Institute for European Environmental Policy, London/Brussels. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/intro/docs/Health%20and%20Social%20Benefits%20of%20Nature%20-%20Final%20Report%20Main%20sent.pdf
Ulrich, R. S., 1984. View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224, pp. 420-421. Available at: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/43df/b42bc2f7b212eb288d2e7be289d251f15bfd.pdf?_ga=2.125731978.1682070352.1605695241-1903156019.1605541692
Ulrich, R., 2006. Evidence-based healthcare architecture. The Lancet, 368, pp. 38-39. Available at: http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140673606699212.pdf
Ulrich, R., Zimring, C., Zhu, X., DuBose, J., Seo, H., Choi, Y., Quan, X., Joseph, A., 2008. A Review of the Research Literature on Evidence-Based Healthcare Design, Healthcare Leadership White Paper Series 5, Georgia Tech College of Architecture and The Center for Health Design. Available at: https://www.healthdesign.org/sites/default/files/LitReviewWP_FINAL.pdf
van Teijlingen E., Hundley, V., 2001. The importance of pilot studies. Social Research Update 35, Department of Sociology, University of Surrey. Available at: http://sru.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SRU35.pdf
Vischer, J., Zeisel, J. (Eds.), 2008. Bridging the gap between research and design. WorldHealth Des. (July), 57–61. At Canvas.
Wolf, K. L., Measells, M. K., Grado, S. C., & Robbins, A. S. T., 2015. Economic values of metro nature health benefits: A life course approach. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 14(3), 694–701. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.UFUG.2015.06.009
Models and tools for landscape analysis
Literature describing models and tools for conducting landscape analyses in people environment studies. This literature includes references from the course LK0239 Landscape analysis in people environment studies.
Bengtsson, A., 2015. From experiences of the outdoors to the design of healthcare environments. Doctoral Thesis No. 66. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae. Swedish University of Agricultural Science, pp. 21-26, available at: http://pub.epsilon.slu.se/12192/
Bengtsson, A., Grahn, P., 2014. Outdoor environments in healthcare settings: A quality evaluation tool for use in designing healthcare gardens, Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 13(4), pp. 878-891. Available as e-journal at SLU Library
Gehl, J., 2007. Public spaces for a changing public life. In: Ward Thompson, C., Travlou, P. (Eds.), Open Space, People Space. Taylor and Francis, pp. 3-9. Available at SLU Library.
Grahn P., Stigsdotter U., Berggren-Bärring A-M., 2005. A planning model for designing sustainable and healthy cities. The importance of people’s need of recreational environments in an urban context. Post-conference proceedings, NAEP, Alexandria. Available at Canvas.
Grahn, P., Tenngart Ivarsson, C., Stigsdotter, U., Bengtsson, I-L., 2010. Using affordances as a health promoting tool in a therapeutic garden. In: Ward Thompson, C., Aspinall, P., Bell, S., (Eds.), Innovative Approaches to Researching Landscape and Health: Open Space: People Space 2, Routledge, New York, pp. 116-154. Available at Canvas.
Grahn, P., Stigsdotter, U., 2010. The relation between perceived sensory dimensions of urban green space and stress restoration. Landscape and Urban Planning 94(3-4), pp. 264-275. Available as e-journal at SLU Library.
Hajrasouliha, A., Ewing, R., 2016. Campus Does Matter. The Relationship of Student Retention and Degree Attainment to Campus Design. Planning for Higher Education 44(3), pp. 1-17, available at: http://works.bepress.com/hajrasouliha/4/
Heylighen, A., Van der Linden, V., Van Steenwinkel, I., 2016. Ten questions concerning inclusive design of the built environment. Building and Environment (2016). Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132316305005
Kaplan, R., Kaplan, S., 1989. The Experience of Nature. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, MA. Available at SLU Library.
Küller, R., 1991. Environmental assessment from a neuropsychological perspective. In: Gärling, T., Evans, G., (Eds.), Environment, Cognition and Action: An Integrated Approach. New York, Oxford University Press, pp. 111–147. E-book at SLU Library.
Kyttä, M. 2004. The extent of children’s independent mobility and the number of actualized affordances as criteria for child-friendly environments. *Journal of Environmental Psychology. *24(2). 179-198. Available as e-journal at SLU Library.
Lynch, K., 1960. The Image of the City. Cambridge, London, The M.I.T. Press. Available at SLU Library and Canvas.
Mårtensson, F. 2013. Guiding environmental dimensions for outdoor play. SMT 90(4), pp. 658-665. Available at: http://socialmedicinsktidskrift.se/index.php/smt/article/view/1047/849
Swedish Legislation, 2004. Accessibility and usability in public spaces BFS 2004:15 - ALM 1. National Board of Housing, Building and Planning. Available at: https://www.boverket.se/globalassets/publikationer/dokument/2008/alm1_english.pdf
Tveit, M., Ode, Å., Fry, G., 2006. Key concepts in a framework for analysing visual landscape character. Landscape Research, 31, pp. 229-255. Available as e-journal at SLU Library.
Ulrich, R., 1999. Effects of gardens in health outcomes: Theory and research. In C.Cooper Marcus and M. Barnes (Eds.), Healing Gardens. New York:John Wiley & Sons, pp. 27-86. Available at SLU Library.
Project specific literature
Intensive reading of literature originating from project specific searches conducted by the students individually, with possibility to book guidance from the library staff: https://www.slu.se/en/subweb/library/services-and-courses/personal-help/book-a-librarian/