Green Open Space Availability and Mental Health Outcomes in Indonesian Metropolitan Cities: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in Indonesia often marginalizes ecological infrastructure, potentially escalating public mental health crises. This study investigates the relationship between Green Open Space (GOS) availability and the prevalence of Mental Emotional Disorders (MED) across five Indonesian metropolises: Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, and Makassar. Using a quantitative comparative design, this research synthesized secondary data from 2021–2024 sourced from the Ministry of ATR/BPN, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), and the Ministry of Health (Riskesdas). Variables analyzed include public GOS percentages, population density, and MED prevalence. Statistical results using Pearson correlation (r = -0.72; p = 0.002) demonstrate that increased GOS coverage strongly correlates with lower MED prevalence. Surabaya, with the highest GOS (21.08%), recorded the lowest MED levels (9.80%), whereas Jakarta exhibited the lowest GOS (9.85%) and highest MED (12.30%). These findings suggest that current urban planning insufficiently addresses the psychological needs of residents, reflecting an inequitable distribution of green resources in building-dense areas. We conclude that fulfilling GOS mandates is a critical public health necessity rather than a mere ecological objective. Policy interventions should prioritize decentralized "pocket parks" to bolster urban psychological resilience and mental well-being.