The Recent Verdict The River Club development has been given the green light after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the project, denying the Observatory Civil Association (OCA) the right to appeal the Western Cape High Court’s order. The decision was made on May 16, 2023, and it clears the way for a development project that promises significant benefits to Cape Town.
In recent years, the connection between mental health and nature has been gaining recognition. Integrative medical practitioner Dr. Ledivia Strauss, the owner of Revitahealth in the Western Cape, highlights the significant role that green and blue spaces play in our wellbeing and the potential they hold for future development projects in South Africa.
Access to nature is not a luxury but a necessity for physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing. Numerous studies in many countries have documented the benefits of being in nature. However, more research needs to be done in developing countries on the importance of nature experience. In these countries, nature is often considered a luxury once basic needs are met. Instead, the focus is on economic development, housing and sanitation, and access to green space. As urbanization accelerates in developing countries, nature experience is becoming increasingly rare, and access to nature and green spaces is highly skewed along socioeconomic lines.
