Rooted in Research: Greening Cities for Health, Safety, and Well-Being

Community gardens, trees, and clean green spaces have long been considered neighborhood amenities. Now, with data from Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s greening vacant land program, University of Pennsylvania faculty and researchers have proven that green interventions can improve health, safety, and well-being outcomes.

Rooted in Research, hosted by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Penn Institute for Urban Research, and Analytics at Wharton, featured a diverse group of Penn faculty and researchers who discussed how greening improves physical and mental health, increases safety, lowers violence, and supports a more prosperous housing environment. The webinar highlighted how researchers partnered with on-the-ground greening efforts in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods to produce this research. Finally, the participants discussed how this research can support and boost continued community greening efforts.

Moderated by Penn IUR Co-Director, Susan Wachter, included Matt Rader, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; John MacDonald, Professor of Criminology and Sociology, SAS; Shane Jenson, Professor of Statistics and Data Science, Wharton; and Michelle Kondo, Research Social Scientist with the USDA-Forest Service.