Barcelona green space plan could improve health of 30,000, study finds

Creating more green areas could also save up to 40m a year in costs linked to mental health issues, say researchers

An ambitious push to create more green spaces in Barcelona - a city with one of the highest population and traffic densities in Europe - could improve the health of more than 30,000 people, reduce the use of antidepressants and save up to 45m (40m) annually in costs associated with mental health issues, research suggests.

It builds on a growing body of evidence that has linked urban green spaces to better mental wellbeing as well as the prevention of depression, anxiety and insomnia.