The Greener the Neighborhood, the Smarter the Kids

According to a new study conducted in Belgium, children’s intelligence and behaviour benefit from growing up in greener urban environments, regardless of the social area they live in.

“There is more and more evidence that green surroundings are associated with our cognitive function, such as memory skills and attention,” says Tim Nawrot, a professor of environmental epidemiology at Hasselt University in Belgium, where the study was conducted. “What this study adds with IQ is a harder, well-established clinical measure. I think city builders or urban planners should prioritize investment in green spaces because it is really of value to create an optimal environment for children to develop their full potential.”

More than 600 kids aged 10 to 15 took part in the study, and it shows that a 3% increase in the greenness of the neighbourhood translates to a higher IQ score by 2.6 points on average and a reduction of behavioural problems, like poor attention and aggressiveness, by 2 points. But how does a greener environment influence an IQ? It might be linked to lower stress levels, more playtime and social contacts, or quieter environments.