Dutch Study: The Gap Between Perceived and Actual Neighbourhood Facilities

A recent Dutch study has found that cities are not just physical landscapes, but ‘perceived environments’ shaped by experience, stress and social context.

The City as a Natural Laboratory

The study, based in Rotterdam, included 13,918 residents across 71 neighbourhoods, the second-largest city in the Netherlands. 

Participants were asked if they had facilities such as parks and green spaces in their neighbourhoods, with surprisingly large differences in answers for the same area.

Perception vs Reality

Residents experiencing economic hardship were more likely to perceive green spaces as less available, regardless of their actual presence. Older individuals and people with children in their household tended to report higher perceived availability. 

Neighbourhood satisfaction was another important factor. Residents who felt happier with their neighbourhood were more likely to believe green spaces were available.

Interesting findings

Perhaps the most striking finding was the difference between perceived and objective environments when it came to health. Simply living in a greener area and believing that greenery is accessible appeared to be beneficial for psychological wellbeing. Also an overlooked park may not contribute to healthier lifestyles, even if it exists right around the corner.

Read more about the study at Taylor and Francis Online.

Photo: franswillemblok on iStock.