• urban residential environment
• longitudinal study
• senior citizens

This is an unusual paper, as the subject, the relation of open green space and health has rarely been studied.¹ It is extremely well done.

In the 1960s, at a meeting of the Outdoor Recreation Resources Commission, an interdisciplinary panel of experts, declared open space was tremendously important, but there were no data. Indeed, as Abel Wollman, a Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health said in the 1960s, “This is an important area, even if there is no data. Therefore, we must yell loudly!”

There are many studies of the commons, or piazzas that show how open space encourage interaction, communication, recreation, play, and much more. There is little specifically on closeness of open space to living, and its impact. Studies of outdoor activities such as running and walking similarly, as do those of recreation and aging show positive health impacts.

There is a dirth of literature on the relation of physical space to health. My summary of the relation of urban planning reviews to health shows how many planning issues effect safety, child rearing, recreation, and much more.² What is not shown is Takano’s conclusion of its importance in a neighbourhood.

I suggest that others take on this area of study.