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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
A university don, Dr Ayodeji Ajayi, has emphasized the critical role of outdoor environments in promoting health saying that outdoor recreation, physical activity, and pro-environmental behaviours contribute to well-being, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which focuses on good health and well-being.
Ajayi, who is a lecturer at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Osun State University, made the call at a recent business meeting of Osun State architects in Osogbo, yesterday.
In his presentation on the health benefits of access to green spaces at the meeting held at the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development’s conference room, he noted that urban open spaces and community outdoor areas enhance physical and mental health, reduce obesity and coronary heart disease, and increase physical activity levels.
He called for closer collaboration among health promotion practitioners, architects, urban planners, policymakers, and researchers.
He stressed the need for integrated transport, land use, and neighbourhood planning to create healthy urban environments, thereby contributing to SDG 3. His appeal aims to foster collective efforts in designing urban spaces that support the health and well-being of all residents.
Presenting findings from his doctoral research, Ajayi identified school playgrounds, incidental open spaces, pocket parks, and neighbourhood parks as significant types of open spaces in the Osogbo metropolis.
He noted that residents primarily engaged in sedentary activities in these areas, with usage patterns varying by gender, age, and income. Ajayi highlighted that residential open spaces are particularly beneficial for physical health, promoting stress reduction and physical exercise more effectively than neighbourhood open spaces.
Emphasizing the importance of the physical quality of open spaces, Dr Ajayi also pointed out that safety and social support are crucial for their frequent use and effectiveness in promoting healthy behaviour.
He concluded by advocating for high-quality open spaces in residential areas to enhance residents’ health and encouraging urban residents to adopt active lifestyles to fully benefit from these spaces.
Ajayi, a registered member of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), holds a PhD in architecture and has over 14 years of teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
His professional portfolio includes architectural design, urban planning, development, and management. His research focuses on the built environment, behaviour, and health, driving his industrial practice towards creating healthy buildings and environments.
