
Connection to nature and access to greenspace: Assessing ecological determinants of health inequities in Montréal (2025-2026)
This project aims to explore ecological inequities in four Montréal neighbourhoods-Côte-des-Neiges, Outremont, Parc-Extension, and Rosemont-by examining children and teens' connection to nature and access to greenspace, as well as associations between proximity to greenspace and their physical and mental health outcomes through an online questionnaire. The study will provide a comprehensive overview of activities, programs, and policies related to greenspace as well as quantifying and describing the greenspace in each neighbourhood using satellite imagery and geospatial databases. Focus group discussions will be conducted to explore thoughts and feelings connectedness to nature and access to greenspace. The final study activity will involve a deliberative dialogue workshop that will identify research priorities and activities to advance the findings of the study to future initiatives needed to address ecological inequities. This research will provide critical insight into ecological inequities in four distinct Montréal neighbourhoods with the potential to be used in strategies to enhance connections with nature, such as adapting urban greenspace or encouraging visits to non-urban natural settings to better meet the needs of young people.