A study carried out on 600 10-15 year old children by Hasselt University in Belgium shows lasting intellectual and behavioural benefits associated with growing up in a home with more access to green space around it (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/24/children-raised-greener-areas-higher-iq-study). The 'greenness' of the localities was independently determined from satellite imaging of the areas. Children maturing in housing in greener locations had Intelligence Quotients that were 2.6 points higher than counterparts having poorer access. They also were less likely to be recorded as showing problematic behaviour at school.The benefits of access to green spaces appeared equally in children from relatively well-off and poorer families (so it was not simply the case that richer families, who were able to pay to advance the prospects of their children, were also likely to purchase housing surrounded by greener spaces). The authors suggest that the housing with better access to greenery, also facilitates both play and participation in sport. They also suggest that there will be less 'stress' and exposure to noise when children grow up in housing surrounded by green spaces. Given the known impacts of air pollutants from traffic on neural development, it would be interesting to know if levels of nitrous oxides and particulates were markedly higher in the built-up (i.e. less green) locations. If replicated, it does suggest that access to green spaces should be a major focus by planners and architects when planning new housing developments. Here, in the UK, people tend to slap a new house on to any available bit of land (including former play grounds and sports fields).
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