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• A small-scale co-created 'acupuncture' intervention was realised at an urban beach. • Psychological well-being was higher post-intervention. • Those who recently visited the beach reported higher life satisfaction in particular. • Greater satisfaction with personal safety and community belonging were key mediators. Observational studies have suggested that people with better access to attractive, safe, and inclusive blue spaces enjoy higher psychological well-being, with particular benefits for those living in deprived urban areas. However, intervention studies are scarce. To help bridge this gap we conducted a repeat cross-sectional study exploring local resident and visitor well-being before and after a small-scale intervention aimed at improving the quality of an urban beach area in a deprived neighbourhood in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Physical alterations were co-created with local stakeholders and residents, and accompanied by a series of on-site community events. Key outcomes were self-reported psychological well-being, satisfaction with personal safety and community belonging, and perceptions of site quality. Adjusted linear models showed that positive well-being (B = 7.42; 95% CI = 4.18–10.67) and life satisfaction (B = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.11–0.70) were both higher after the intervention compared to before, with associations for life satisfaction stronger among those who visited the site in the last four weeks. Associations with positive well-being were partially mediated by greater satisfaction with community belonging; and associations with life satisfaction were partially and independently mediated by greater satisfaction with personal safety and community belonging. Although caution needs to be taken due to the repeat cross-sectional design and the sampling of site visitors as well as local residents, the findings support the idea that environmental improvements to urban blue spaces can foster better psychological well-being, and underline the importance of community involvement in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on evidence of the links between bluespace and public health, this study explores the governance of bluespace infrastructure to promote human health and well-being in Plymouth (UK). Using in-depth retrospective interviews and document analysis, this study focused on the role of governance in urban planning and development, specifically, the implementation phase of a bluespace infrastructure intervention. A deductive qualitative approach categorised content into themes related to pre-established water governance frameworks. Key findings from this study emphasise: the importance of health and welfare concerns around blue spaces as an incentive to getting started; collaborative stakeholder participation and engagement; the necessity of adequate funding; and the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance of urban blue space infrastructure. Based on reflective accounts of stakeholder experiences, the successes of the implementation process of the redevelopment are highlighted. More successful and sustainable bluespace interventions can be realised through ongoing considerations of effective water governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]