A new RCSI and DCU study assessing the health and wellbeing impact of natural capital in Ballymun, north Dublin, has been funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).

Dr Jolanta Burke, Senior Lecturer at the RCSI's Centre for Positive Health Sciences co-leads the study, titled ‘Valuing Natural Capital in Communities for Health’, with Dr Jimmy O’Keeffe from Dublin City University. The project is assessing impact using pioneering approaches, and evaluating health and wellbeing benefits provided by natural capital in Ireland. 

This project is focused on the Ballymun area of north Dublin. This historically socioeconomically deprived area of the city has undergone significant regeneration. As a result, several spaces have the potential to provide accessible natural space for local communities. Specifically, the project is working with members of the Ballymun City Farm and Community Gardens who are working to protect and enhance the quality of green space for residents and encourage the community of Ballymum to engage with nature.

Through extensive interviews, surveys and biosensors, the impact of nature and nature-based interventions is being measured using a range of psycho-social and positive psychological assessments of well-being, biodata (heart-rate variability, heart rate, brain activity) and systems modelling. This type of project has not been attempted to date. It will ultimately provide a proof of concept for a change in understanding and evaluating natural capital benefits and justifying their inclusion in urban spaces. 

Designing green spaces

Commenting on the successful project, Dr Jolanta Burke said: “This project will change how we perceive the natural capital’s impact on communities living in towns and cities around Ireland. It will provide the necessary evidence to encourage architects and city planners to design urban green spaces that amplify the health and wellbeing of communities living in the area.

“It will guide individuals in those communities on what they can do to maximise the impact of nature around them, regardless of how small it is, and substantially improve their own and their families' health and wellbeing. We hope this project will make a significant positive difference to people’s positive health in Ireland and abroad.” 

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is committed to supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university contributes significantly to the achievement of these goals and makes a difference to human health through projects 'Valuing Natural Capital' as well as a continued focus on initiatives that advance sustainability and improvements in global health and well-being. 

RCSI is currently ranked number one in the world for ‘Good Health and Well-being' in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking 2023.