by Yarden Woolf
Over the last two and a half years, I have been researching some of the greenspaces on campus as part of my PhD. Overall, my study explores the relationship between students’ experience in greenspaces, nature connectedness, and pro-environmental orientation. To understand this relationship, I deployed several methods, including observations, photo-elicitation interviews, and walking interviews (you can read my blog about walking interviews here: Walking interviews as a research method | Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments blog). These methods were deployed between March 2024 and February 2025, on different days and times, including weekends, to gather as much data as possible.
My study examined four greenspaces on Frenchay campus, chosen for their varying design elements, with some containing mostly vegetation and others dominated by hard landscapes. These greenspaces are: The Student Union Square, the Farmhouse, the Restorative Walled Garden, and Information Point Plaza. I will now present the main findings regarding each of these.
Student Union Square
Overall, most students that were seen in this greenspace were passing through, going to and from other buildings around it. Almost all of them were on foot, with just a few cycling and using a scooter. This finding suggests students use this greenspace mostly for necessary activities like commuting, particularly during autumn and winter. However, during spring and summer terms, students tend to use this space for individual and social activities as well. Interviews with students corroborated these findings. Specifically, students mentioned using this space mostly during sunny days and for activities organised by the Student Union (the Student Union Square is represented in the photo above).
The Farmhouse
Similarly to the Student Union Square, students were seen engaging in various activities. However, while in the Student Union Square the most observed activity was passing through, in the Farmhouse, this was the least observed activity. This finding can probably be attributed to the Farmhouse’s location, bordering Wallscourt Park Student Accommodation and the Restorative Walled Garden, and situated behind the School of Engineering. In each session, only a handful of students, if any, were seen crossing the grassy area towards Wallscourt Park or the Restorative Walled Garden, while most students were lingering and spending time in this greenspace, engaging in sunbathing, having lunch, socialising and playing sports. During a weekend observation session, students were seen in larger groups, with picnic supplies and loudspeakers. Group sports activities, like football and rugby, were also observed. During the interviews, several students mentioned enjoying this greenspace for leisure activities with friends.
Restorative Walled Garden
Some students were seen going in from one entrance and exiting from the other without spending time in the greenspace, but they were few compared to students lingering. During the weekend observation, only several students were seen using this space, some alone and some socialising with others. A few other students were also passing through. A possible explanation for this could be the location of the greenspace, as it is out of the way, hence, students are less likely to stumble upon it and are more likely to get to it on purpose. Several students spoke about this greenspace during the interviews, praising the Grounds Team for maintaining it well. They also mentioned enjoying it between breaks as a place for relaxation. However, students also discussed that other students and staff smoke in this greenspace, and this had a negative effect on their ability to enjoy it.
Information Point Plaza
During the observation sessions, this greenspace underwent a minor transformation with more seating amenities added to it. Despite this, most students that were observed in it were passing through on their way somewhere else. Like the Student Union Square, this greenspace is strategically located between areas and facilities that attract many students, like the Information Point where students can ask staff about general enquiries, UWE’s bus stops, and the main block which is home to UWE’s library. This is also the only greenspace out of the four that students did not mention during the interviews.
Final thoughts
From the findings, it emerges that students enjoy campus greenspaces, particularly those that incorporate substantial vegetation, like the Farmhouse and the Restorative Walled Garden. Many students also mentioned how campus greenspace improves their wellbeing and appreciated how well-maintained the campus is. However, some students said they were not aware of these greenspaces, which might suggest a need for signposting around campus.
To encourage students to use campus greenspaces, the university should also provide amenities, such as benches, chairs, bins, and sheltered areas. For larger groups, open places, such as lawns, are advisable.
Yarden Woolf is a PhD Researcher, Landscape architect and urban planner. She is UWE PGR Lead Rep and CATE CPGRC Student Representative