Green gentrification and its impacts on mental health: Unveiling the evidence on sociocultural and physical exclusion linked to green and blue spaces

Neighbourhoods around the world are experiencing gentrification processes, which exacerbate existing segregation as they cause sociocultural and physical exclusion and displacement of underprivileged long-term neighbourhood residents. One of the drivers of these processes can be the creation or improvement of natural spaces, which is known as green gentrification. Different studies have documented green gentrification in different places of the world. The few studies that have explored the interconnections between green/blue spaces, gentrification and (mental) health have shown that underprivileged residents are negatively impacted by green gentrification. They may not feel welcomed or may feel socially controlled in these green/blue spaces, particularly when conflicts between long-term residents and newcomers for the use of these spaces arise. These spaces may be used for city and neighbourhood branding instead of being designed in a way that prioritises traditional resident needs. In some cases, green/blue spaces become privatised spaces or their decontamination is not enough for certain activities. Residents' displacement may hinder social contacts with traditional neighbourhood social networks, or the potential impact of green/blue spaces may not be enough to counteract other factors that are detrimental to health. However, research on green gentrification and mental health is still limited and much needed.