Urgent Biophilia: Green Space Visits in Wellington, New Zealand, during the COVID-19 Lockdowns

Urgent biophilia describes the conscious desire of humans to seek interactions with nature during periods stress. This study examines changes in frequency and reason for visiting urban green spaces by residents Wellington, New Zealand, determine whether resident behavior a stressful period exemplifies principles urgent biophilia. The COVID-19 pandemic resulting lockdowns were used as due significant physical mental health stressors they triggered. Pedestrian cyclist counters located key Wellington collect data on visits pre- post-pandemic. Two surveys assess residents’ reasons lockdowns. Increased space seen strictest lockdowns, though there was some variation depending location space. most frequently reported lockdown wellbeing, followed recreation. These results suggest that coping mechanism wellbeing benefits, exemplifying Urban planners policymakers must consider implement infrastructure public resource.