Shmapped: development of an app to record and promote the well-being benefits of noticing urban nature

Abstract The majority of research to date on the links between well-being and green spaces comes from cross-sectional studies. Shmapped is an app that allows for the collection of well-being and location data live in the field and acts as a novel dual data collection tool and well-being intervention, which prompts users to notice the good things about their surroundings. We describe the process of developing Shmapped from storyboarding, budgeting, and timescales; selecting a developer; drawing up data protection plans; and collaborating with developers and end-user testers to ultimately publishing Shmapped. The development process and end-user testing resulted in a highly functional app. Limitations and future uses of such novel dual data collection and intervention apps are discussed and recommendations are made for prospective developers and researchers. This paper describes the development of a Smartphone app to: i) evaluate the impact of urban green and built space design on wellbeing and ii) act as a wellbeing intervention which prompts users to notice the good things about their surroundings.