Exploring mechanistic pathways linking urban green and blue space to mental wellbeing before and after urban regeneration of a greenway: Evidence from the Connswater Community Greenway, Belfast, UK

Urban regeneration of urban green and blue spaces (UGBS) is assumed to benefit residents’ mental wellbeing. However, the mechanistic pathways linking UGBS wellbeing before vs. after remain unclear. This study assessed mediating roles subjective perceptions environment instoration indicators (social capital physical activity) proximity along Connswater Community Greenway (CCG) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Repeated cross-sectional household survey data were collected from adult residents who lived within a ≤1-mile radius CCG pre-intervention (2010/2011; n = 866) six months post implementation (2016/2017; 866). The intervention involved development an greenway which included 19 km new improved cycle paths walkways, improvements (e.g., planting trees shrubs) coupled with social programs organized walking groups). Mental was using Warwick-Edinburgh Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), exposure measured as distance home address nearest access point. Subjective attractiveness, traffic, amenities, perceived safety. Instoration activity, trust, networks. Structural equation models differential between implementation. Results offered no significant support for notion that impacted intervention. In contrast, intervention, indirectly directly associated Mediating amenities positively impacting safety trust. These findings provide evidence influences through multiple including changing people’s promoting greenway.