Bentway Islands Site (Photo credit: Brandon Ferguson)The Bentway, with partners Gehl and researchers from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, released a report that revealed the essential role public spaces play in fostering mental health and social connections.The report, called Rx For Social Connection, is centred around learnings from The Bentways 2024 Softer City program of art and social events, and draws on perspectives and onsite observations from public space operators, urban strategists, public health practitioners, artists, and designers.In a previous report, Toronto was named the loneliest city in Canada, with 43 per cent of Toronto residents reporting that they never see their neighbours and 37 per cent feeling lonely at least three times a week.The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness to be a global health threat. A lack of social connection is as detrimental for ones health as smoking, and is worse than factors such as alcohol, and air pollution. Lonely people are also at higher risk for dementia, heart attacks, and strokes.Our new research reveals that thoughtfully designed public spaces, like The Bentway, are unsung heroes in the work of building healthier communities. These vibrant hubs arent just places to gathertheyre powerful public health tools that can help reverse troubling health trends, said Dr. Kate Mulligan of the University of Torontos Dalla Lana School of Public Health. The work shows cities and health professionals worldwide that great urban design can be a prescription for better well-being.In 2024, the majority of Bentway visitors reported that spending time onsite made them feel healthier. A total of 71 per cent said this related to their physical health, 62 per cent for their mental health, and 64 per cent said they felt more socially connected. Most visitors, or 67 per cent, engaged with one another during their visit, 48 per cent of visitors were children, youth, or seniors, compared to just 20 per cent in nearby neighbourhood populations.The study also found that areas of the Bentway with public art were stickier spaces and supported longer stays and enhanced social interactions.Seating and natural features create the necessary conditions for connections while landscaping and well-planned and accessible programming serve as intentional invitations to community members.We are happy that our work at The Bentway can serve as a case study for this research proving how important public spaces are for our collective wellbeing, said Ilana Altman, co-executive director of The Bentway. Its time to recognize that our parks, squares, sidewalks, and trails are not just places for leisure and recreation, but indeed vital parts of our health ecosystem. Strong communities, and the social connections we all need, are built in public space.While cities have become more challenging places to live, revaluing public spaces as important health resources can begin to reverse trends of isolation while creating more compassionate and connected cities.The post Report reveals public spaces such as The Bentway important for mental health appeared first on Canadian Architect.