GARDENS


BORIS TAPIA – ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DEL ESTADO DE HIDALGO-MÉXICO; KAREN GARCIA – ARCHITECT, UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE DE MEXICO


Healing gardens for urban spaces


Boris Tapia, associate professor at Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo- México, and Karen Garcia, architect from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico, consider the importance role that green spaces have in creating safe and welcoming hospital environments that encourage therapeutic contact.


Currently, the main health risk factors globally are non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, smoking, and high blood sugar; however, in 2021, the top ten risk factors for disease burden also included two environmentally related ones: ambient particulate matter pollution, and household air pollution from solid fuels,1


that are directly linked to climate


change. The phenomenon of climate change


can affect human health through a wide variety of mechanisms that go beyond environmental pollution. Extreme weather events, for example, contribute to a broader distribution of infectious diseases or reduced food availability, especially in poorer countries.2


For this reason, non-


governmental organisations and countries carry out important initiatives to act against climate change because we understand that environmental protection contributes to human wellbeing and health, and also ensures access to goods and services that allow our survival. However, there are other effects of


climate change on wellbeing and health that are not yet well understood. For example, there are mental health impacts that are caused by acute events, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, or subacute or long-term changes such as drought and heat stress.3


High systolic blood pressure Smoking


High fasting plasma glucose Low birth weight High body-mass index


Ambient particulate matter pollution Short gestation


Household air pollution from solid fuels High LDL cholesterol Kidney dysfunction


0 500 1000 1500 Metabolic risks


Behavioural risks Environmental/ occupational risks


2000 2500


Figure 1. Leading risk factors for disease burden, 2021. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 population, all ages.1


The aim is to create gardens where it is possible to enhance positive health effects


atmosphere for the care and promotion of mental health,4


these recommendations


are still not fully applied in several Mexican hospitals and health centres. It is necessary to create safe and


And many times,


cities are scenarios where the phenomena that are the cause and effect of climate change remain for long periods without being studied or attended to, which can cause a higher incidence of mental illness in the population. In Mexico, mental health care is mainly


linked to health units – this does not imply that work, educational and urban environments in general are not designed or prepared to promote mental health, but there is no global public policy on the subject that guides decision-making in the design process of these spaces. On the other hand, although the WHO recognised more than half a century ago the importance of creating a therapeutic


IFHE DIGEST 2025


welcoming hospital environments that encourage therapeutic contact that reinforces the commitment of the user and the health service provider to the search for wellbeing. In the same way, it is necessary to design urban spaces that promote mental health and collaborate in the fight against climate change. On one hand, studies have shown that green space, for example, can significantly reduce air pollution5 urban heat island;6


and mitigate the on the other hand, we


know that green spaces have a potential protective effect on mental health in adults because can lower levels of stress, reduce cortisol levels, reduce rates of depression and anxiety, and improve general wellbeing.7 Also, it is well known that stressed people feel much better after exposing


Boris Tapia


Boris Tapia is Associate Professor at Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo-México,


Assistant Professor at National Autonomous University of Mexico and SNI candidate


researcher (C). His work especially addresses equity and inclusion, urban design, pedagogical practices, and architectural environments that promote health and wellbeing. He has been engaged in Collaborative Online International


Learning projects and researching about healing garden design.


Karen Garcia


Karen Garcia is Architect from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico and Masters in Architecture from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. General Director of Works and Urban Development at the Tlalpan Mayor’s Office,


with 12 years of professional experience, most within the public sphere. Her research is


primarily about spaces that promote healing in urban environments.


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