Urban Greenness and Citizen Comfortability: A Systematic Review of Environmental Health, and Socio-Spatial Pathways in Urban Systems
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This study synthesizes existing literature on the relationship between urban greenness and citizen comfortability, focusing on environmental, health, and socio-spatial dimensions. Rapid urbanization has intensified environmental stressors such as urban heat islands, air pollution, and declining biodiversity, prompting increase attention to nature-based solutions. Using a systematic narrative review guided by PRISMA protocols, relevant studies published between 2000 and 2025 were analysed from interdisciplinary databases, including Wed of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Findings reveal that urban green spaces such as parks, street trees, and green infrastructure play a critical role in mitigating environmental stressors while enhancing mental health, physical activity, and social cohesion. Evidence across regions, including the United States, Nigeria, and South Africa, demonstrates consistent associations between green space exposure and reduced stress, improved psychological well-being, and enhanced microclimate conditions. However, the benefits of urban greenness are highly context-dependent, with factors such as accessibility, quality, and maintenance significantly influencing outcomes. The review also identifies key methodological limitations, including the dominance of cross-sectional studies and insufficient representation of marginalized populations. It highlights the need for longitudinal and mixed-methods approaches to better understand long-term and equity-based impacts. Furthermore, participatory governance and inclusive planning are essential for maximizing the social and environmental benefits of green infrastructure.
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