Ambrey, C.L., Fleming, C.M. & Manning M. (2014). Greenspace and life satisfaction: The moderating role of fear of crime in the neighbourhood. In: Opportunities for the Critical Decade: Enhancing well- being within Planetary Boundaries. Presented at the Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics 2013 Conference, The University of Canberra and Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics, Canberra, Australia. 89 Greenspace and life satisfaction: The moderating role of fear of crime in the neighbourhood Christopher L. Ambrey 1 , Christopher M. Fleming 1 * and Matthew Manning 1 1 Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia. *Email: chris.fleming@griffith.edu.au Abstract This paper uses data on self-reported life satisfaction, fear of crime and access to greenspace to explore the relationship between the (potential) welfare benefits of greenspace and fear of crime in New Zealand neighbourhoods. In line with existing evidence, results suggest that improved access to greenspaces is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction. The strength of this association, however, is strongly dependent on fear of crime. Specifically, when residents report that they feel ‘unsafe’ or ‘very unsafe’ walking alone in their neighbourhood, the life satisfaction benefits of access to greenspace are not marginally reduced, rather, they disappear entirely. From a policy perspective, these results are particularly important, suggesting that any benefits derived from sourcing, provisioning and managing greenspace are dependent upon managing actual and perceived levels of crime. Keywords Fear of Crime; Greenspace; Life Satisfaction; New Zealand General Social Survey (NZGSS). Introduction Evidence suggests that greenspace promotes health and well-being. Identified channels through which this may occur include restorative psychological benefits (cf. Kaplan, 1995), reduced stress (cf. Ulrich et al., 1991), greater physical activity (cf. Jones et al., 2009; Sugiyama et al., 2010; Sugiyama et al., 2008), increased longevity (cf. Takano et al., 2002), increased social interaction (cf. Francis et al., 2012), and greater life satisfaction or happiness (cf. Ambrey and Fleming, 2013; MacKerron and Mourato, 2013). Reviews of the literature are provided by Bell et al. (2008), Croucher et al. (2007a), Croucher et al. (2007b), Sunderland (2012) and, in the New Zealand context, Blaschke (2013).