Access to open spaces and possibilities for outdoor activities
Nature conservation and outdoor activities in preventive public health care
The link between nature conservation, outdoor activities and public health has been highlighted in the government communication "A cohesive nature conservation policy." The creation of favourable conditions enabling the use of nature and the cultural environment for outdoor activities and experiences is important. Outdoor activities are extremely important for public health, contribute to a feeling of well-being and quality of life and add a clear social dimension to nature conservation.
Lack of physical activity today is one of the greatest individual risk factors for ill-health and premature death. An important task of health-promotion and disease-prevention efforts is to increase the level of physical activity of the population. At the same time, outdoor activities are among the most common forms of physical activity in Sweden. Research shows that the environment in one's immediate vicinity is of crucial importance for whether one is physically active, enjoys the open air, and takes part in outdoor activities. One of the tasks of nature conservation policy is thus to ensure that sufficient land and water is available for outdoor activities, both in and near urban areas and cities and in mountain and archipelago environments. Municipalities and county administration boards can play a key role here, particularly regarding spatial planning. Access to open spaces near cities and other urban areas and generally favourable conditions for outdoor activities are thus essential for Sweden ultimately to achieve success and meet its targets.
The problems
Experience shows that nature conservation, outdoor activities and cultural heritage assets sometimes find it difficult to assert their interests when pressure from other, conflicting interests, such as infrastructure or housing construction and similar physical exploitation is too strong. Open spaces and green infrastructure are often encroached upon. Especially in metropolitan regions, the fragmentation of our remaining open spaces has continued. Statistics show that the proportion of green areas is declining most in urban areas with more than 10 000 inhabitants. At the same time, 84 per cent of the country's population lives in urban areas. All this means that conditions for outdoor activities are worsened and that the contribution of outdoor activities to public health objectives risks being weakened.
