Schools in Brussels that children from wealthy families attend tend to be greener and located close to nature than other schools in the region, according to a study by Brussels Free University, VUB.
Half of the primary schools in Brussels-Capital Region lack greenery in their playgrounds, and a third have no access to a nearby public green space, the study found.
The research, led by PhD student Elsa Gallez and coordinated by geography professor Francesc Baró, highlights the uneven distribution of green spaces among primary schools.
“Brussels is often presented as one of the greenest cities in Europe,” says the researcher. However, the study reveals that this green space presents “the greatest inequalities” compared to other European cities such as Rotterdam, Paris, and Barcelona.
This unequal distribution has significant effects on the well-being of students, Elsa Gallez notes. “A green environment helps combat stress and hyperactivity, improves cognitive development and emotional well-being, and reduces the risk of obesity and asthma,” she explains.
Time spent in nature is of paramount importance for children’s well-being, “but those living in economically disadvantaged urban areas do it too little,” she adds.
Considering that children spend a large part of their time at school, playgrounds and school grounds can play an essential role in addressing this issue. Yet, 47% of schoolyards in Brussels-Capital Region are largely concreted, and 51% of schools have no green space within a 300-metre radius.
Moreover, schools in the north and centre of the capital, in particular, “are exposed to high levels of air pollution and heat-related risks,” Gallez warns.
To better map the issue, the researcher, in collaboration with Brussels Environment, has initiated a survey on the use of green spaces by primary school children.
