Assessment of land cover and human health using high spatial resolution images

• Grant number: 18/13622-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: February 22, 2019
• End date: February 21, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Thais Mauad
• Grantee: Tiana Carla Lopes Moreira
• Supervisor: Petros Koutrakis
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/15989-6 - Green spaces and health: the impact of green spaces on the population of the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, BP.PD

Abstract

The presence of vegetation in the urban environment offers numerous advantages for the ecosystem, as well as social and economic benefits that may improve human health. Studies in Europe and the United States show that green spaces improve overall air quality, aesthetics, physical activity, shaded areas, and thermal control. Additionally, green spaces influence mental, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gestational health of the studied populations. However, urban conglomerates in developing countries such as the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo (MRSP) have specific land use and occupation, which often differs from developed countries. Our cities usually have suburban areas comprised of low- income communities and less green spaces. The downtown areas have high-density populations and higher income, but offer more green spaces. Therefore, it is still unclear how green areas will affect the health of urban conglomerates such as the MRSP, while also supporting policies that increase vegetation in the urban areas. The intraurban green area index in the MRSP is considered small and poorly distributed when compared to other cities. The aim of this study is to use the same land cover methodology in a city within a developed country (Boston) and in a city within a developing country (São Paulo) and compare the results regarding the green spaces and the health outcomes. (AU)