The benefits of “blue space” – the sea and coastline, but also rivers, lakes, canals, docks, waterfalls, even fountains – are less well publicised than green open space, yet the science has been consistent for at least a decade: being by water is good for body and mind.
Proximity to water – especially the sea – is associated with many positive measures of physical and mental wellbeing, from higher levels of vitamin D to better social relations. You can read the full article explaining this in great detail below.
‘Blue Spaces: Why time spent near water is the secret of happiness’ The Guardian 03.11.19 HERE
It seems like a real tragedy that in the recent past there was so little appreciation of the therapeutic value of water space that we allowed much of our south docks to be filled in to create a gigantic car park (now Brunswick Business Park) and also parts of Central Docks. And yet despite this information being available for well over a decade we are still trying to fill in the few remaining dock water spaces that we have. Plans are afoot to fill in half of West Waterloo Dock and of course the whole of the large UNESCO WHS dock space at Bramley Moore Dock in the north docks for the new Everton FC stadium.
Our friends at Beetham Plaza and Strand Plaza will be pleased to learn about this report as another reason why their Grade II Listed Piazza Fountain should remain in its current location – and support the health, well-being and happiness of local residents, workers and visitors alike.