Effect of urban heat, people are maintaining distance from public places, activities may increase near greenery and water bodies.

New Delhi. The effect of increasing urban heat in cities around the world is now clearly visible on people’s daily routine and use of public places. A new study has found that due to rising temperatures, people are staying away from parks, roads and other open public places.

According to the study, merely increasing the number of parks or their area is not enough. Rather, the presence of greenery, shady paths and water bodies visible on the roadside motivates people more to go out, walk and exercise.

Study conducted in Fuzhou, China

This research has been done by researcher Jian Sun and his team from China’s Fuzhou University (FZU). Its findings have been published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Public Health.

The research analyzed more than 20,000 jogging records recorded on the fitness app “Keep” for a month in Fuzhou, China’s south-eastern coastal city. Its objective was to understand how the urban environment affects people’s physical activities.

Less jogging activity seen in hot areas

The study found that in areas where the temperature of ground and building structures was higher, activities like jogging were seen significantly less. In contrast, people’s activity was higher in relatively cooler and greener areas.

Open environment increases activity

According to research, in areas where the density of tall buildings was less and the view of the sky was more open, people jogged more. Whereas physical activities were found to be less in areas surrounded by narrow roads and tall buildings.

The study also revealed that many popular jogging areas were not actually near green areas, reflecting uneven availability of greenery.

Reservoir and sports facilities are also important

Jogging activities were recorded more around water bodies like rivers, lakes and waterfronts. Apart from this, more participation of people was also seen in areas where sports facilities were present.

Tips for cities

Researchers have suggested that shady jogging tracks, roadside plantations, green corridors and walkways connected to water bodies should be developed in urban areas to reduce the impact of heat and make people more active.

Where adequate space is not available for large parks, measures such as small pocket parks, vertical gardening and greenery along footpaths can also prove effective.