Architecture and Planning ETDs

Publication Date

5-1-2015

Abstract

As resources are becoming scarcer, Southwestern cities are looking for ways to expend less water and money, leading to removal of green spaces. This is happening alongside the current health crisis occurring throughout the United States, which is unfortunate since urban green spaces have been found to improve human health. The purpose of this study, focusing on Albuquerque, New Mexico, is to determine: (1) if those benefits appear to exist in a desert city, and (2) how additional variables, such as income and education, compare with parks regarding impact on community health. A GIS analysis was conducted using park, health, income and education data. The results indicate that while income and education do strongly correlate with certain health indicators, parks also demonstrate a small beneficial relationship with health in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and chronic disease.

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Community and Regional Planning

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

School of Architecture and Planning

First Committee Member (Chair)

Scruggs, Caroline

Second Committee Member

Fleming, William

Third Committee Member

Dickey, Julie

Keywords

parks, health, income, education, access, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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