The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective
... However, most of this work measures energy restoration indirectly. Empirical work that more directly measures energy restoration primarily stems from attention restoration theory [26,27]. Attention restoration theory is primarily concerned with how people can restore their attention (i.e., the ability to avoid distraction), such as by taking a walk in nature. ...
... Attention restoration theory is primarily concerned with how people can restore their attention (i.e., the ability to avoid distraction), such as by taking a walk in nature. Because attention restoration requires regaining the energy needed to avoid distraction, attention restoration partly indexes energy restoration [26,28], offering traction for the current study. Literature in this vein argues that restoration varies as a function of the environment, with solitude playing a crucial role. ...
... Further, we obtained our measure of restoration from literature on attention restoration. Yet, energy restoration is part of attention restoration [26], the measure was unidimensional, and results were generally robust to operationalizing restoration as the single item that most closely indexes energy restoration ("to renew energy;" see Analysis Script on the Open Science Framework page). Third, and most broadly, it may be useful to move away from the notion that "social interaction expends energy and solitude restores it." ...
Social interaction and solitude entail tradeoffs. Communicate Bond Belong (CBB) theory holds that social interaction can foster relatedness with others at the cost of social energy, whereas solitude can restore social energy at the cost of relatedness. The current study empirically tests this tradeoff of solitude and its implications for well-being by investigating different degrees of solitude. Less complete degrees of solitude (e.g., no interaction with others) were associated with more relatedness and restoration than more complete degrees of solitude (e.g., no interaction, no potential for it, and no engagement with media), speaking against a tradeoff. Solitude was less detrimental for well-being among individuals who perceived it to be associated with higher restoration and relatedness. Yet, this finding was independent of social energy expenditure, challenging CBB theory. Future work should consider motivations for solitude and longitudinal approaches.
... There is evidence that heterogeneity is a preferred aesthetic trait (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989;Dronova 2017). The concept is scale-dependent, e.g. ...
... There is a substantial body of research showing that there is a general, strong preference for aquatic environments (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989;White et al. 2010), and that this preference translates to increased visitation rates (Kienast et al. 2012). The presence of water was the most common characteristic of forests used in forest therapy studies (Gobster et al. 2022), and there is strong evidence for the link between spending time near water and human wellbeing (White et al. 2020). ...
... There is a strong general preference for places that provide scenic views (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989), thus the topography of a forest area can increase recreational values. Visible objects can also have an impact; negative aesthetic effects on the landscape are for example often raised as an argument against wind turbines (Dai et al. 2015). ...
Forests’ ability to provide opportunities for recreation is an important ecosystem service. This has prompted attempts to create indicators to assess forests' suitability for recreation, although hitherto with limited success. This study introduces a novel framework for indicators of potential and realised recreational values of forests, with a primary focus on Sweden and Fennoscandia. We divided forest attributes into intrinsic qualities (i.e. the structure and composition of the forest), extrinsic qualities (i.e. the location of the forest in relation to other components of the landscape), and facilitation qualities (i.e. the presence of recreational infrastructure). Using Fennoscandia as a case study, we performed a literature review to find specific indicators of recreational values, as well as evaluate the current availability of spatial data suitable to map the forest qualities on a national scale. The most important intrinsic quality we identified was tree size/age, whereas for extrinsic quality it was proximity to water. Systematic monitoring of recreational use is essential to estimate realised recreational values. The conceptual framework proved to be a valuable tool for identifying potential indicators, and applying it in other regions is likely to yield useful outcomes.
... As a critical indicator influencing visual perception, defining complexity is a fundamental prerequisite and a key focus for conducting quantitative research. Kaplan and Kaplan (1989) linked complexity with the number and organization of visual elements in an environment, suggesting that highly complex yet coherent landscapes can provide visual richness, thereby enhancing visual aesthetics [23,24]. Ode, Tveit, and others defined complexity as the diversity and richness of landscape elements, as well as the dispersion of visual patterns and variability of features [25]. ...
... As a critical indicator influencing visual perception, defining complexity is a fundamental prerequisite and a key focus for conducting quantitative research. Kaplan and Kaplan (1989) linked complexity with the number and organization of visual elements in an environment, suggesting that highly complex yet coherent landscapes can provide visual richness, thereby enhancing visual aesthetics [23,24]. Ode, Tveit, and others defined complexity as the diversity and richness of landscape elements, as well as the dispersion of visual patterns and variability of features [25]. ...
... Numerous studies have demonstrated that the perception of complexity is closely related to elements of order and asymmetry within a scene [11,39], which, in turn, is strongly linked to visual environment preferences and widely applied in visual arts and spatial design [40,41]. Symmetry is closely associated with consistency in images, which is intrinsically connected to complexity [23]. Bigoin-Gagnan and Lacoste-Badie, in their study on packaging design, showed that complexity is affected by symmetry [40], while Chen et al. confirmed that symmetry significantly influences perceived visual complexity in natural images [42]. ...
Visual complexity is a crucial criterion for evaluating the quality of urban environments and a key dimension in arousal theory and visual preference theory. Objectively quantifying visual complexity holds significant importance for decision-making support in urban planning. This study proposes a visual complexity quantification model based on a support vector machine (SVM), incorporating six key indicators, to establish a mapping relationship between objective image features and subjective complexity perception. This model can efficiently and scientifically predict street view complexity on a large scale. The research findings include the following: (1) the introduction of a new quantification dimension for the urban environment complexity—hierarchical complexity– which reflects the richness of street elements based on an in-depth semantic understanding of images; (2) the established complexity quantification model demonstrates high accuracy, with the indicators ranked by contribution for compression ratio, grayscale contrast, hierarchical complexity, fractal dimension, color complexity, and symmetry; and (3) the model was applied to predict and analyze the visual complexity of the Xiaobailou and Wudadao Districts in Tianjin, revealing that the visual complexity of most streets is moderate, and targeted recommendations were proposed based on different levels of visual complexity.
... In the coming years, the importance of restorative environments will continue to grow. Restoration refers to the process of recovering physical, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989;Ulrich et al. 1991). This can be achieved by the interaction with natural or designed environments that reduce stress and mental fatigue, promoting overall health and balance (Hartig 2021;Roe and McCay 2021). ...
... Usually, the restorative effects of green environments are explained through different theories, with the most known being attention restoration theory (ART) (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989) and stress recovery theory (SRT) (Ulrich et al. 1991). According to ART, mental and attentional fatigue and concentration can improve by looking at or spending time in nature (Kaplan 1995;Kaplan and Kaplan 1989). ...
... Usually, the restorative effects of green environments are explained through different theories, with the most known being attention restoration theory (ART) (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989) and stress recovery theory (SRT) (Ulrich et al. 1991). According to ART, mental and attentional fatigue and concentration can improve by looking at or spending time in nature (Kaplan 1995;Kaplan and Kaplan 1989). The SRT, on the other hand, is more concerned about how nature environments have different influences on stress recovery and the parasympathetic nervous system (Ulrich et al. 1991). ...
... In addition to integrated green spaces, these everyday urban environments provide the residents' unnoticed existing situation and frequent embodied experience [41]. Based on Affordance Theory [42] and Environmental Perception Theory [43], an individual's cognition is significantly influenced by spatial characteristics. Environmental factors offer specific "affordances" through various sensory inputs, which are processed through sensation and perception to influence individuals' restorative experiences [44,45]. ...
... Environmental factors offer specific "affordances" through various sensory inputs, which are processed through sensation and perception to influence individuals' restorative experiences [44,45]. A large number of studies of restorative urban environments have stated that contact with certain spatial features may effectively facilitate people's attention, stress, and emotional recovery, while this psychological response is immediate, spontaneous, and accompanied by a series of positive emotions [31,43,[46][47][48][49][50]. Therefore, in order to grasp the nature of how public urban spaces influence people's restoration benefits, it is useful to start extracting spatial clues in terms of the composition and organization of urban elements and multisensory experiences incorporated [51,52]. ...
Rapid urbanization has heightened attention fatigue and physiological stress among urban residents. However, high-density urban construction, mainly covered by streets, squares/plazas, and buildings, in particular, poses a challenge to traditional restoration dominated by green infrasturcture. This research aims to conduct a systematic review of the available body of knowledge regarding the relationship between public urban spaces and restorativeness based on combined multisensory effects. First, a conceptual framework was proposed to connect spatial properties of public realms, sensorial mechanisms, and restoration benefits. As a result, detailed spatial elements and organization affecting multiple sensory modalities combined via additive, antagonistic, and synergistic effects were extracted, which essentially act on urban restoration, including attention, stress, and emotional recovery. Last, but not least, compared with previous research, restoration design strategies of public urban spaces accelerating multisensory integration were drawn to contribute new insights for future high-density urban development.
... The Attention Restoration Theory (ART) proposed by Kaplan and Kaplan [34] suggests that natural environments can restore cognitive functions, including attention, which might be depleted after prolonged focused attention (such as focusing on screens). While ART primarily relates to the therapeutic benefits of natural environments, it provides an insightful conceptual framework for extrapolating this theory to the context of short video usage. ...
... Some researchers have pointed out the impact of digital media on attention span, particularly among young users, revealing that prolonged use of digital media could lead to issues like distracted attention and reduced focus [33,35]. This research aligns with Kaplan and Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory (ART) [34] and Lang's Limited Capacity Model of Motivated Mediated Message Processing (LC4MP) [36]. It further specifies that highly interactive engagement with short videos could weaken students' attention levels. ...
Short videos have gained widespread popularity among elementary school students in China. As a form of entertainment media, their usage has steadily increased among adolescents in recent years. This phenomenon has sparked extensive discussions in society, especially against Chinese parents’ high concern for their children’s academic performance. Therefore, this study collected 1052 valid questionnaires from elementary school students, attempting to explore the possibility that their short video usage might negatively impact their academic performance. Besides, the mechanism of this relationship was also examined from the perspective of children’s attention and environmental factors of parents’ short video usage. The research findings indicate that the more elementary school students use short videos, the lower their academic performance, with attention mediating in this relationship. The longer the parental short video usage duration, the exacerbating effect it has on elementary school students’ negative impact on attention caused by short video usage due to its positive moderating effect. This study provides crucial insights for parents, educators, and short video platforms, offering valuable references for formulating more scientifically and logically grounded educational strategies.
... Several studies have highlighted the negative impact of visual pollution on general well-being. Research by Kaplan and Kaplan (1989) suggests that visually polluted environments, characterized by excessive and disorganized visual stimuli, can lead to reduced general well-being. Their study indicates that exposure to such environments can cause stress and discomfort, which negatively affects overall mental health and life satisfaction. ...
... Their study indicates that exposure to such environments can cause stress and discomfort, which negatively affects overall mental health and life satisfaction. The authors argue that a cluttered visual environment can lead to cognitive overload and emotional distress, thus reducing overall quality of life (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). ...
This review paper examines visual pollution, its causes, and impacts on human health and well-being, defined as unattractive and disruptive visual elements in the environment that degrade aesthetic quality. It explores sources such as billboards, litter, industrial structures, and poorly planned urban development. The paper discusses how rapid urbanization, industrialization, and excessive advertising exacerbate visual clutter, particularly in urban areas. The impacts of visual pollution on health are significant, including increased stress, anxiety, and diminished quality of life. Vulnerable populations, such as lower-income communities, children, and the elderly, face heightened risks due to greater exposure. The review highlights disparities in exposure and health outcomes, emphasizing that the cumulative effects of visual pollution and socioeconomic disadvantages intensify its negative impact. The paper also evaluates strategies for mitigation, including urban planning measures like green spaces and zoning regulations, as well as regulatory approaches to manage outdoor advertising and waste. By addressing visual pollution through comprehensive planning and regulation, the paper aims to inform policies that enhance environmental aesthetics and improve public well-being.
... However, not all green spaces are equally multifunctional, thus continuously improving the quality of urban green spaces is crucial to increase these benefits. Beautiful scenery is one of the main goals when conducting landscape design , as aesthetic quality, also termed as landscape preference, defined as a cognitive process where people appreciate a landscape more than another (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989), is believed to be an attraction for visitors (Lothian, 1999). More visitors are needed to fully play the roles of urban green spaces. ...
... The concept of complexity in this study refers to visual complexity which describes the overall richness of a visual landscape (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). Complexity has been identified as an explanatory factor of landscape preferences. ...
Numerous studies have investigated visual aesthetic quality (VAQ) of landscapes, expecting to find the measures that can promise beautiful scenes for residents. However, the issue of visual aesthetic fatigue (VAF) which is defined that when people are repeatedly exposed to the same landscape, their preference rating will gradually decrease is generally overlooked, leading to the possibility that VAQ is worn away by VAF. To investigate VAF of landscapes VAQ of 20 photographs (10 ones containing colored foliage, the other 10 ones containing green foliage) describing the summer scenes of urban green spaces was evaluated four times by the same group of respondents at two fixed intervals (two-day and seven-day). The results suggested that (1) repeated exposure led to VAF at both intervals, while no significant difference in VAF between the two intervals was found; (2) The plants with colored foliage could mitigate VAF induced by two-day interval of repeated exposure, while no significant influence on VAF of seven-day interval; (3) complex landscapes with a higher initial preference rating generated more VAF. These findings provide valuable reference for anti-VAF landscape design and management.
... In recent decades, a system of spatio-cognitive dimensions has been developed in the field of environmental psychology research to describe features of and explain preferences for particular outdoor environments. Kaplan and Kaplan (1989) suggested four basic spatio-cognitive dimensions: (1) coherence or the degree to which elements of the environments are related and logically organized: the more coherent, the greater the preference for the environment; (2) legibility or the extent to which elements allow an observer to understand the environment and its content: the more legible, the greater the preference; (3) complexity, which involves the number or diversity of elements in the environment: the more complexity, the greater the preference; and (4) mystery or the degree to which the environment contains hidden information. These dimensions have been used widely in environmental preference research (for a review, see Yang et al., 2021), but not yet in investigations of the effects of acoustic stimuli on the perception of visual environments. ...
... One of the key distinctions between peoples' environmental perceptions and preferences is the difference between natural and built scenes (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). There is mounting evidence that Western people prefer unthreatening natural environments over urban environments (e.g., Knopf, 1983;Ulrich, 1983). ...
This study explored the effects of music on the perception of outdoor urban environments, both built and natural. The participants (n = 74) evaluated five environments located on one walking route in terms of emotional and spatio-cognitive dimensions while listening to one of two types of music: upbeat and conventional or reflective and complex. We found only a very slight effect of music on the evaluation of the emotional and spatio-cognitive dimensions of the environment. The less complex upbeat and conventional music increased the perceived complexity of environments but only if participants took the route from less complex to more complex environments. The liking music mediated the effect of music in the evaluation of emotional dimensions of the environment. Furthermore, a less-liked environment negatively affected the liking of music heard in that environment. Reflective and complex music was perceived as more congruent with the environment than upbeat and conventional music, which is explained by musical fit theory. The features of the environments that were evaluated had a stronger effect on listeners than the music. Natural environments were perceived as more coherent, mysterious, pleasant, interesting, and energetic than built environments, regardless of the music. Moreover, a contrast effect was observed in which the features of the first environment evaluated influenced the evaluation of subsequent environments. It is suggested that the intensity of music may be an important factor for environmental evaluations, in addition to the specific situations in which the music is heard.
... Attention restoration theory (ART; Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989) and stress reduction theory (SRT; Ulrich et al., 1991) are among the most referenced theoretical accounts of how human cognitive capacity and physiological stress are affected by interfacing with nature. While ART posits that natural stimuli evoke involuntary attention that allows cognitive capacity to retain or restore, SRT relies on a psycho-evolutionary perspective that humans have developed an affinity with nature as a resourceful survival setting. ...
... Results showed that walking in a botanical garden for 15 minutes twice a week for 15 weeks did not significantly affect the outcome variables (Table 1) This study's findings draw attention to a critical examination of the generalized claims following ART (Kaplan and Kaplan, 1989) and SRT (Ulrich et al., 1991). Results from our study involving bi-weekly 15-minute walks for 15 weeks did not demonstrate a significant impact on environmental values, connection to nature, psychological well-be- ing, or pro-environmental behaviors among students in an environmental discipline. ...
Background and objective: The psychological and behavioral benefits of nature have been widely documented; yet less is known about whether these benefits are salient among environmentally engaged groups. This study examined the effects of walking regularly in a natural environment on the biospheric values, nature relatedness, psychological well-being, and pro-environmental behavioral intentions of university students in an environmental major.Methods: A total of 39 students were randomly assigned into treatment (n = 21) and control (n = 18) groups for a 15-week trial. The treatment group walked for 15 minutes in a campus botanical garden twice a week while the control group stayed indoor.Results: Pre- and post-test survey results indicated no significant effects of the treatment on the outcome variables, suggesting that those who engage with nature for disciplinary purposes did not benefit from prescribed exposure to nature.Conclusion: Programs that provide nature exposure to enhance mental well-being and pro-environmental behavior should take into account participants’ background and baseline interactions with nature.
... Considering the value placed on creativity across a wide range of life domains, there is a great need to explore how nature may enhance creativity. While there are many theories on the nature-wellbeing relationship, the Stress Reduction Theory (SRT; Ulrich, 1981) and the Attention Restoration Theory (ART; Kaplan, 1995;Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989) have received the most attention. More recent theories integrate and extend on these theories (e.g., Hartig, 2021). ...
... In a study on an experiential creative writing course that was held outdoors, secondary school students mentioned that "being on my own made me feel like I could really write whatever I wanted, without being judged" (p.8) and that nature became one's personal teacher: "I think sitting alone... and writing, because it [the environment] taught us well" (p.8). There are well-known restorative benefits to being in nature (Kaplan, 1995;Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989), and experiencing nature by oneself may enable one to be more mindfully aware and attentive to nature's intricacies. That is, one may reap the restorative benefits of nature more fully when alone than with others (i.e., one may be distracted or cognitively engaged while socializing). ...
The widespread benefits of creativity have become more salient in recent years. This has led to scholarly interest in finding ways to foster creativity. Nature immersion may be one way to enhance creativity, particularly as many individuals involved in creative pursuits have found nature to be a source of inspiration and a haven for restoration. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews and the PRISMA-ScR 22 item checklist, we conducted a scoping review to examine the evidence on the relationship between nature and creativity as well as any underlying mechanisms facilitating this relationship. A scoping review was deemed appropriate given the infancy of the topic and the need to understand the broad landscape. Our aim was to present a range of interdisciplinary applications of nature interventions on different types of creative performance. We found 45 publications exploring the relationship between nature and creativity, with the majority (n = 36, 80%) published within the past seven years. Overall, the quantitative studies in our scoping review provided evidence of a significant positive relationship, or effect, between nature and creativity. These relationships held across various types of nature including for wilderness, rural and urban settings, as well as in different applications of creativity such as in the arts, workplace, education, and laboratory conditions. Qualitative and case study research also supported the positive relationship between nature and creativity including in diverse nature settings and in different applications such as in visual arts, design, writing, music, free play in kindergartens, and work. Qualitative studies highlighted potential mechanisms behind this relationship, including time in solitude, appreciation of impermanence, relaxation and inspiration, and disconnection from technology. Moreover, the degree of exposure to nature may be an important consideration for creative performance with more immersive, real-life experiences typical of outdoor nature, tending to be more effective than indoor spaces with window views or indoor plants. These preliminary findings suggest that more opportunities to connect with nature, especially in the outdoors, may help to stimulate creativity in a wide range of settings including education, the creative arts, and workplaces, although more high-quality research examining the sustained effects of nature on creativity is needed.
... Ulrich proposed that safe, non-demanding, moderately complex, open, natural environments promote physiological and emotional stress recovery [see the Stress Reduction Theory (SRT), Ulrich et al., 1991;Ulrich, 2023;Subiza-Pérez et al., 2021]. Kaplan and Kaplan argued that natural settings, by offering "soft fascination, " can engage bottom-up attention (externally driven and effortless) and thus letting the mechanism behind the top-down attention (internally driven, voluntary, and effortful) an opportunity to rest and restore [see the Attention Restoration Theory, ART; Kaplan and Kaplan (1989) and Sullivan and Kaplan (2023)]. Recently, Meidenbauer et al., 2020, introduced an alternative mechanism for the positive effect of greenery on wellbeing. ...
While cities are attractive places, brimming with opportunities and possibilities for their inhabitants, they have also been found to have negative consequences, especially on physical and mental health. In a world of ever-growing urban populations, it is important to understand how to make cities healthier and more pleasant places to live. In the present study, we investigated the impact of art as an urban intervention and compared it to the well-known effects of greenery (i.e., plants and vegetation) in an identically framed intervention. Specifically, we looked at how people engage with a Graetzloase (a type of parklet) and its embedding urban environment in terms of visual and spatial attraction as well as wellbeing. The Graetzloase displayed either abstract art or greenery and was placed on two distinct streets that, among other elements, also contained art and greenery. Our field study captured the ongoing experiences during people’s exploration of the urban environment by employing mobile eye-trackers and physiological devices. While our findings demonstrated a certain level of visual and spatial attraction towards the Graetzloases, it was not as pronounced as initially anticipated. Nevertheless, our analyses still inform on What decorating element should be placed in a Graetzloase, as well as Where to implement the Graetzloase. Our results suggest that artistic elements are more visually attractive (i.e., they were looked at for longer times) than the greenery, and that both visual and spatial attraction towards the Graetzloases are greatly impacted by the street context. We found that the Art Graetzloase when displayed in a wide street containing greenery elements, is visually more present in the participant’s visual field than all the other experimental combinations. The more precise analyses of the participant viewing behavior confirm this trend. Regarding wellbeing, we found no evidence for the impact of street context or the types of decorations in the Graetzloases. Our results establish an initial empirical foundation for the design and placement of not only future parklets but also urban art interventions in general.
... Familiarity and complexity are consistently perceived as independent dimensions of the physical environment (Alexander, 2002;Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989;Salingaros, 2007). As a result of this study, HBs with various space properties were more familiar than VBs, and VBs were found more exciting and fascinating than HBs. ...
The study aims to investigate participants’ aesthetic experience in response to environments with curvilinear boundaries that are presented in two different virtual environments (VEs), namely immersive (IVE) and desktop-based virtual environments (DTVE). To this end, 60 participants were presented with 360° 32 VE visualizations that had either horizontal or vertical curvilinear boundaries and possessed various architectural properties (size/light/texture/color) using a head-mounted display and a desktop computer. The aesthetic experience in response to these visualizations was measured in terms of the three key dimensions identified in a previous study (Elver Boz et al., 2022): familiarity, excitement, and fascination. In addition, participants’ sense of presence in the two different environments was measured. The results show that familiarity and excitement dimensions were significantly higher in IVE than in DTVE, whereas the two environments did not significantly differ from each other in terms of the fascination dimension. As for the boundary types, the familiarity dimension was significantly higher in horizontal curvilinear boundaries than in vertical ones. In contrast, excitement and fascination dimensions were significantly higher in vertical curvilinear boundaries than in horizontal ones. The only dimension that showed an interaction between boundary types and the type of VE was excitement. Finally, IVE induced a higher presence feeling than DTVE. Overall, results suggest that people’s aesthetic experiences toward built environments change as a function of the boundary types and the medium they are presented with these environments and that different dimensions of the aesthetic experience are affected differently by these variables.
... Figure 6. The site where the new Cyprus Museum will be built is the old General Hospital (SITE) next to the existing museum, which is a neoclassic building (3);, the House of Representatives, which is a modern building (1); and the Municipal theatre (2); and close to the modern buildings of the Theatrical Organization of Nicosia (6) and the Ministry of Finance (7). As for the landscape, the SITE is adjacent to the Pedieon River, formed as a linear park (5), and to the Municipal Park (4). ...
This paper deals with the landscape design strategy that was followed in the proposal that was submitted to the International Architecture Competition of the New Archaeological Museum of Cyprus. The aim of this document is to analyze how landscape and architecture interact. In the author’s design proposal for the New Archaeological Museum of Cyprus, the various “gardens” integrated into the Landscape are analyzed. The concept of landscape design is related to the sacredness of trees to certain gods in Ancient Greece and Greek Mythology. The proposal addresses the symbolic meaning of trees and water. The design triggered the creation of several “gardens”: the “Sacred Garden”, the “Stone Garden”, the “Olive Garden”, the “Sacred Grove”, and the “Public Garden”, combining their soft landscapes with the hard landscape of the “Plaza” and the “Courtyard”. Each figure in the garden has a symbolic meaning that allows for a dialogue between landscape and architectural design. In addition, the findings provide valuable insights into the historical and spiritual value of landscape elements (plants, water) that are also thermal regulators for sustainable urban planning. The research results may be of value to landscape architects, architects, and landscape designers in the Mediterranean region.
... The use of nature-based activities to reduce people's depressive symptoms seems especially promising and is the focus of this paper. The health benefits associated with nature-based activities could be explained by several theoretical frameworks (Fernee et al., 2017;Houge Mackenzie et al., 2021;Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989;Rosa et al., 2024;Ulrich et al., 1991;Wilson, 1984). For example, Attention Restoration Theory posits exposure to nature helps restore the ability to direct attention to specific tasks (Kaplan, 1995). ...
Previous systematic reviews have examined the effect of horticultural interventions (e.g., taking care of plants, planting, gardening) on individuals' depressive symptoms through analyses focused exclusively on randomized controlled trials, but that approach overlooks a majority of the potentially informative published research.
To complement previous work, we searched the databases MEDLINE, PsycArticles, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov and identified 30 non‐RCTs (n = 1063 participants; all adults) and 32 uncontrolled studies (n = 517 participants; only one study included 6 young people) examining the effects of horticultural interventions on depression.
Using random effects meta‐analysis, we discovered the evidence from these studies largely supports findings from RCTs. Like the RCTs, the non‐RCTs indicate that some horticultural interventions combined with usual care (i.e., continuing normal routine for healthy people or conventional treatment for unhealthy ones) may reduce depressive symptoms more than usual care alone, with most studies finding a moderate (Hedges' g ≥ 0.5) or large effect (g ≥ 0.8). We also found that participants might adhere similarly well or even better to horticultural interventions than to usual care alone, and no adverse events were reported. Twenty‐five of the 32 uncontrolled studies reported pre and post‐intervention mean depression scores. Of these 25 studies, 24 reported an improvement in mean depression scores and, in 16 of them, the improvement was greater than 20%. All studies present some risk of bias due to design limitations, but no evidence of publication bias was detected.
Our findings support assertions that some horticultural interventions are effective and safe as a complementary strategy to reduce adults' depressive symptoms. More research is needed to understand how specific participant and intervention characteristics can influence the success of horticultural interventions on depressive symptoms.
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... Current theory does not adequately acknowledge the significant role of sleep on children's mental health, nor has there been extensive research examining the impact of green space on children's sleep. Here, we expand upon Attention Restoration Theory [51] and Psycho-physiological Stress Reduction Theory [52,53] which propose that exposure to green space fosters psychological restoration and enhances feelings of relaxation and well-being through exposure to rich, natural stimuli [35]. We theorize that green space influences mental health by reducing stress, increasing exposure to light during the day, and increasing physical activity ultimately leading to better sleep quality, longer sleep duration, and better mental health outcomes (Fig. 1). ...
Background
The prevention of pediatric mental health disorders is a growing health priority in the United States. While exposure to green space, such as outdoor vegetation, has been linked with improved mental health outcomes in children, little is known about the impact of green space on children’s sleep. Sleep has many benefits, but the factors affecting both sleep and mental health as they relate to green space exposure are not well understood in children. This study aims to investigate how green space can affect sleep in children and contribute to the promotion of mental health and wellbeing.
Methods
Project Green Space, Sleep, and Mental Health (G-SPACE) aims to recruit 250 elementary school-children from first, second, and third grade in Rhode Island to examine the influence of green space exposure on sleep, physical activity, and mental health over a five-year period. Objective measures of sleep, physical activity, and daily activity space will be assessed using an actigraph and a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit. Subjective measures of sleep duration, sleep quality, and mental health will be assessed using daily sleep diaries from parents, in addition to a range of survey items, including PROMIS® (Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System) pediatric scales, and the Children’s Sleep Habits questionnaire, among others. Green space exposure will be based on measures of green space from the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) aligned with the daily activity trajectory of children. Additionally, saliva and DNA samples will be collected to examine epigenetic mechanisms linking green space to sleep and mental health. A subset of participants (n = 50) will be followed longitudinally to evaluate the long-term impact of green space on sleep and mental health among children. Multi-level models will be used to assess the association between green space exposure, sleep behaviors, and mental health.
Discussion
Project G-SPACE will evaluate whether green space utilization influences sleep and mental health in early elementary school children, and the possible mechanistic pathways through which these associations emerge.
... This aligns with principles in Environmental Psychology, which suggest that tranquility in space and surroundings promotes emotional regulation and psychological recovery (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). ...
This paper explores the unique cinematic language and healing aesthetics of Yasujirō Ozu by comparing his film style with that of classical Hollywood. Unlike Hollywood’s focus on plot-driven action and emotional conflict, Ozu utilizes “intermediate space”, “360-degree rule”, “low-angle shots”, and “graphic configuration” to depict serene everyday life, breaking away from classical Hollywood’s narrative conventions and establishing a novel Japanese visual experience. The following findings reveal that Ozu creates a distinct healing effect through meticulously designed spatial compositions and narrative rhythm. Rather than relying on dramatic conflict, this effect emerges from spatial ambiance and visual stability, offering viewers a space for emotional buffering and psychological rest. Drawing on environmental and Gestalt psychology, this study delves into the therapeutic mechanisms within Ozu’s cinematic language and analyses its profound influence on modern Japanese healing cinema.
... This is a result of the ongoing disconnect between humans and the natural environment. Kaplan and Kaplan's attention restoration theory (ART) suggests that the natural environment is a place to escape from the complexity and busyness of modern life and represents a space for attention restoration [1]. Ulrich's psycho-evolution theory (PET) suggests that humans have long evolved in natural environments and have adapted to respond positively physiologically and psychologically to natural environments rather than urban environments [2]. ...
Background/Objectives: This study investigated the effects of barefoot walking on an urban forest path on participants’ C-reactive protein (CRP), interferon gamma (IFNγ), and serotonin levels, which are associated with feelings of well-being. Methods: Participants in the walking program included 62 consenting adults, divided into a sneaker-wearing and barefoot group (each N = 31). The program comprised 20 sessions, each consisting of a 90 min 4.4 km walk at a 50–70% target heart rate, held four times per week for 5 weeks. Physiological measurements were taken from pre-program saliva samples and after 10 and 20 sessions, respectively. Results: The sneaker-wearing group showed a consistent CRP increase, with levels reaching statistical significance after 20 sessions. In the barefoot group, CRP increased up to Session 10 but was lower than at the end of Session 20. The analysis of those with an initial CRP above 100 pg/mL showed that CRP was statistically significantly lower in the barefoot (N = 14) than in the sneaker-wearing (t = −0.048, p = 0.963) group after 20 sessions compared to before the program (t = 3.027, p = 0.010). IFNγ increased in both groups up to Session 10 but showed minimal change between Sessions 10 and 20. Serotonin was statistically significantly higher after 20 sessions than before the program in the barefoot group (t = −2.081, p = 0.046). Conclusions: Barefoot walking on forest trails is effective for people with above-normal inflammation, increasing serotonin levels.
... While assessing the nature-wellbeing link is beyond the scope of this chapter, we note the rich literature proposing varied mechanisms for the link between nature and wellbeing. Theoretical explanations include "biophilia" -the idea that individuals are born with an innate attraction to nature (Wilson, 1984); attention-restoration theory, which holds that nature provides complex yet appealing shapes and patterns that have a restorative effect upon mental capacity (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989); and stress-reduction theory, which proposes that nature has a calming effect upon the body's physiological systems (Ulrich, 1983). The link between nature and enhanced health and wellbeing has thus been demonstrated. ...
... Scholars interpreted the fulfillment of the "mystery" element by emphasizing the idea that people have two basic needs in environments: understanding and exploring (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989), where the experience of "mystery," through the use of more than one element and more than one method, provides a functional environment that encourages exploration in a way that reduces stress and provides a strong pleasure response within the brain. The Jewish Museum in Berlin is an example of the designer's success in creating an experience of mystery. ...
Biophilic design (BD) is defined as a design approach that promotes human-nature connectedness (HNC) in the built environment (BE), resulting in a significant impact on human health, well-being, and productivity, in addition to several economic, social, and environmental benefits. This study presents a critical analysis of the most important proposed frameworks and strategies for the application of BD from 2008 to 2022 to identify points of confusion and weaknesses and try to avoid them. The study concluded by presenting a Four-Component Framework as a new architectural translation that seeks to facilitate the application of BD in the design of the BE to achieve the benefits of HNC. The proposed framework focuses on separating the elements of nature from the methods in which these elements are used, from the desired experiences from the BD's intended goals. As a result of this separation, architects and designers may find that by applying this framework, the application of BD becomes easier, more tangible, and unambiguous.
... Another advantage of such meadow types is that they are perceived as being visually more attractive than traditional green areas (Hicks et al., 2016;Hülsmann et al., 2015;Southon et al., 2017). It is becoming increasingly evident that the accessibility to and quality of green spaces in neighbourhoods has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of residents (Beyer et al., 2014;Dallimer et al., 2012;Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989;White et al., 2013). ...
The decline in pollinator populations is partly due to human practices that have contributed to the loss of wild and flower‐rich habitats. In cities, especially city centres, urban green spaces, which are usually small, are often sown with wildflower meadows.
The study compared the number and species richness of three main groups of pollinating insects (wild bees, butterflies and hoverflies) for two types of meadows in Warsaw: sown wildflower meadows and the natural meadows.
The research results showed that there was no difference in the composition of insect‐pollinated plants between the meadow types. There was also no difference between the meadow types concerning the species richness of butterflies, bees and hoverflies. However, it was confirmed that the number of butterflies was twice as high in natural meadows than it was in sown floral meadows, while in the case of wild bees and hoverflies, no such differences were found.
The study confirmed that areas sown with wildflowers, usually of small area, concentrate pollinating insects and have a similar value for pollinators as larger areas of natural meadow. Sown wildflower meadows, if properly cared for, can ensure the richness of melliferous plant species and thus positively affect the diversity and number of pollinators.
Sown meadows can compensate insects for the absence of large, natural meadows, especially in the fragmented spaces in cities.
... Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory (ART) further supports the idea of nature as a restorative medium. ART posits that immersion in natural settings helps individuals recover from mental fatigue caused by the demands of daily life [10]. When people spend time in nature, the effortless engagement with natural stimuli-such as the sound of rustling leaves, the sight of a flowing stream, or the feel of a cool breeze-allows the brain to relax and recover from cognitive overload . ...
The Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage route network in the Kii Peninsula of Japan, serves as a unique case study in the intersection of cultural heritage, landscape ecology, and human-nature relationships. This paper explores the dynamic interactions between human interventions and natural processes along the Kumano Kodo, highlighting how landscape ecology principles illustrate the blurred boundaries between nature and culture. The rewilding of the human-imposed structures, coupled with the restorative experiences of modern pilgrims, reinforces the notion of coexistence rather than dominance over nature. The findings support Turners theory of landscape dynamics and Mortons assertion that the human-nature dichotomy is artificial, showing how human interventions and natural processes coalesce in a living landscape. The study also applies Kaplans Attention Restoration Theory to demonstrate the psychological benefits of engaging with cultural landscapes. However, the research is limited by its focus on a specific demographic of pilgrims and calls for more diverse methodologies in future studies. Broader data collection will offer deeper insights into the long-term psychological effects and cultural significance of such heritage sites.
... According to Kaplan and Kaplan (1989) and Han (2010), the complexity and coherence of our surroundings, as experienced by visual perception, increase our attraction toward our environments. Also, numerous healthcare studies show that the visual complexity exhibited by natural environments might help people feel less anxious (Heerwagen, 1990) and recover from illness more quickly (Ulrich, 2002). ...
Recent advances in machine learning technologies offer avenues for a more efficient analysis of large photographic and text-based datasets, facilitating a deeper understanding of the fundamental characteristics inherent in the immersive representation of the urban environment. It is known that automatic fractal processing in the human visual system triggers positive emotive responses to the environment. The project explores the correlation among fractal aesthetics, visual perception, and emotional responses in urban settings, developing an integrated evaluation method that uses the data-scraping of existing online photographic media from Flickr and Google Street View (GSV). Taking the area of Southbank in London (UK) as a case study, the study initially employed a sentiment analysis method rooted in the Lexical dictionary from TextBlob. Further, an extensive online GSV urban scenery dataset was built via Google API. The photographic dataset was then evaluated by fractal dimension as a quantitative index to measure the complexity of fractal patterns. Concurrently, to enhance the comprehension of the composition of urban form, a semantic segmentation method for image analysis was implemented. A comparative evaluation of the data collected indicated the key role of fractal patterns described by vegetation in the generation of positive emotional responses, underscoring with methodological rigour the potentially transformative impact of the experience of fractal patterns and green infrastructures in open urban spaces.
... Questi ambienti imitano scenari naturali come foreste, parchi e spiagge, risultano particolarmente efficaci nell'attuare la restaurazione dell'attenzione (Li et al., 2022). Infatti, secondo l'Attention Restoration Theory (ART), (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989) l'esposizione a scenari naturali, anche in forma virtuale, ha il potere di rigenerare le capacità cognitive, in particolare l'attenzione. L'ambiente naturale offre una pausa dalle attività che richiedono un forte impegno cognitivo, permettendo alla mente di riposarsi e rifocalizzarsi. ...
... Trees and gardens as public open space features may give relaxation and restoration effect just by seeing them (Ulrich, 1979) and decreasing stress (Nasution & Zahrah, 2018). As a place for many activities, public open space provides some advantages for quality of life, such as psychological and physical health, recreation benefits, and the fulfillment of the need for a pleasant urban environment (Maller et al., 2009;Kaplan and Kaplan, 1989). ...
Fuzhou City, located in China's Fujian Province, exemplifies the demographic transformation underway. The city's elderly population is growing, with individuals aged 60 and above constituting 16.76% of its municipal population. This demographic shift, coupled with increasing urbanization, underscores the urgent need to enhance public spaces to serve the requirements of elderly individuals better. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the influence of elderly-friendly public space and stakeholder perspective on the quality of life in urban micro-districts of Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. The quantitative method based on questionnaires is applied. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percent frequency, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation are introduced. Various inferential statistical methods are used to test the hypothesis, particularly the Independent Samples t-test, the One-way ANOVA, and the Multiple Linear Regression analysis. The results obtained from the study indicate that differences in Gender, Marital Status, Duration of Residence, Living Arrangement, Type of Housing, and Mobility Limitation generate differences in Quality of Life in urban micro-districts of Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. Differences in Elderly Utilization Patterns generate differences in Quality of Life in urban micro-districts of Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. Differences in Stakeholder Involvement in Public Space generate differences in Quality of Life in urban micro-districts of Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. The results obtained from the Multiple Linear Regression Analyses show that there are significant positive impacts of all aspects of Public Space Characteristics (Accessibility, Safety Measures, and Types of Amenities) on Quality of Life in urban micro-districts of Fuzhou City, Fujian Province.
... O contato com espécies animais, como por exemplo, os micos, tão comuns nas cidades são importantes por muitas razões incluindo: aumento da saúde e bem-estar humano; melhora do comportamento e funcionamento cognitivo; reduz os níveis de crime, agressão e violência e promove uma educação não-formal (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989;Wells, 2000;Frumkin, 2001;Taylor et al., 2001;Ku & Sullivan, 2001;Kahn & Kellert, 2002;Irvine & Warber, 2002). ...
Resumo: As paisagens urbanas têm sido cada vez mais evidenciadas nos estudos ecológicos. Isso se deve ao fato de que o desenvolvimento urbano é um importante componente mundial da transformação do uso do solo, acarretando impactos ambientais em escalas locais, regionais e globais. Essas paisagens apresentam uma dinâmica constante e conferem uma maior relevância aos ecossistemas naturais e modificados, que por sua vez, fornecem serviços essenciais à melhoria da qualidade de vida das cidades. Desse modo, proporcionam um vasto campo de estudo de temas como serviços ecossistêmicos, biodiversidade, vacância, hortas urbanas e usos alternativos de terrenos urbanos, voltados ao desenvolvimento econômico e socioecológico. As investigações da ecologia da paisagem urbana podem incentivar, portanto, a transmutação das cidades, de centros de crescimento econômico e de consumo, para locais que gerem bem-estar humano. As aplicações desses estudos oferecem, adicionalmente, oportunidades ao exercício da transdisciplinaridade, da ecologia cívica e da cidadania. Abstract Urban landscapes have been increasingly addressed in ecological studies. This is due to the fact that urban development is an important global component of land use transformation, causing environmental impacts at local, regional and global scales. These landscapes present a constant dynamic, giving greater relevance to natural and modified ecosystems, which in turn provide essential services to improve the quality of life in cities. In this way, they provide a vast field of study on topics such as ecosystem services, biodiversity, urban voids, urban gardens and alternative uses of urban land, aimed at economic and socio-ecological development. Therefore research on urban ecology landscape can encourage the transmutation of cities, from centers of economic growth and consumption, to places that generate human well-being. Additionally these studies once applied create opportunities for the exercise of transdisciplinarity, civic ecology and citizenship.
... Wilson 50 proposed biophilia. Kaplan and Kaplan 51 developed the theory of landscape preference within the framework of the landscape perception model. This theory encompasses constructs such as coherence, legibility, complexity, and mystery. ...
Rapid urbanization has significantly altered landscape environments in both urban and rural regions, and these landscapes have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in human well-being. This study develops a coherent framework that integrates landscape change, landscape ecological indicators, and landscape preferences within the context of the evolving landscape environments of rural communities in Taiwan. Four distinct types of rural communities were selected, and a quantitative methodology was employed to investigate the variations and transformations in landscape preferences among rural residents in the context of landscape change. A qualitative methodology was employed to investigate the relationship between landscape ecological indicators and landscape preferences. The study’s findings indicate significant temporal variations in residents’ landscape preferences, with landscape beauty, stewardship, and coherence emerging as key determinants in the evaluation of these preferences. Landscape ecological indicators were found to be significantly correlated with variables such as landscape complexity, landscape beauty, openness, naturalness, and comprehensive landscape assessment. The findings of this study indicate that design planners, land managers, and public sector organizations can employ multidimensional thinking in the management of rural landscapes to align with the visual aesthetic preferences of rural residents.
... Obtaining quantitative data informing the mechanisms by which such spaces promote healing will provide additional support for the implementation of such green spaces as adjuncts for improving health. Two mechanisms that have been proposed to mediate the beneficial effects of nature include impacts on autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses to natural elements [8] and processes that refresh and enhance attention [10,11]. Calming effects are detected through relative increases in parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity and decreases in sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity (e.g., slower heart rate and breathing). ...
The physiological impact of walking in nature was quantified via continuous heart rate variability (HRV), pre- and post-walk saliva cortisol measures, and self-reported mood and mindfulness scores for N = 17 participants who walked “The Green Road” at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. For N = 15 of the participants, HRV analysis revealed two main groups: group one individuals had a 104% increase (mean) in the root mean square standard deviation (RMSSD) and a 47% increase (mean) in the standard deviation of NN values (SDNN), indicating an overall reduction in physiological stress from walking the Green Road, and group two individuals had a decrease (mean) of 42% and 31% in these respective HRV metrics, signaling an increase in physiological stresses. Post-walk self-reported scores for vigor and mood disturbance were more robust for the Green Road than for a comparable urban road corridor and showed that a higher HRV during the walk was associated with improved overall mood. Saliva cortisol was lower after taking a walk for all participants, and it showed that walking the Green Road elicited a significantly larger reduction in cortisol of 53%, on average, when compared with 37% of walking along an urban road. It was also observed that the order in which individuals walked the Green Road and urban road also impacted their cortisol responses, with those walking the urban road before the Green Road showing a substantial reduction in cortisol, suggesting a possible attenuation effect of walking the Green Road first. These findings provide quantitative data demonstrating the stress-reducing effects of being in nature, thus supporting the health benefit value of providing access to nature more broadly in many settings.
... The Attention Restoration Theory (ART) posits that exposure to nature provides a restorative effect by recovering directed (effortful) attention after prolonged mental activity (Hartig et al., 1997). Natural environments (compared to urban environments) are likely to contain restorative qualities that elicit (effortless) fascination, which allows for the renewal of cognitive resources (Kaplan, 1995;Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). To be restorative, nature also needs to provide a sense of being away, it must have extent (i.e., scope to feel immersed and engage the mind), and it must be compatible with one's purposes and inclinations (Kaplan, 1995). ...
Promoting children’s and adolescents’ mental, physical, and social wellbeing is highly important to help them learn, create social connections, and stay healthy. Nature has the potential to restore cognition, reduce stress and mental fatigue, and improve wellbeing, all factors that are conducive to learning. There is growing interest in understanding the effects of nature on the wellbeing of children and adolescents, particularly in the school context. This paper presents a PRISMA-guided systematic review of the literature examining the effects of school-led nature interventions on the mental, physical, and social wellbeing of school children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years. Examples of school-led nature interventions include outdoor learning, walks in nature and green schoolyards. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies employing quantitative measures were selected, yielding 19 studies from 17 papers. Included studies were rated as being of high (n = 6) and moderate quality (n = 13). The results provide some evidence that nature exposure in the school context can improve the wellbeing of children and adolescents, particularly their positive affect, physical activity, and social relationships/interactions. The wellbeing effects of school-led nature interventions were also examined according to age and gender, with results indicating a gender effect, but inconclusive findings for age. Findings from this review support the integration of nature in schools to enhance the mental, physical and social wellbeing of children and adolescents.
... Although the negative aesthetic feeling induced by plants/animals can make people less likely to absorb biodiversity-related information, other perceived benefits of plant and pet diversity might offset this effect. Studies have suggested that pet ownership and home gardening can result in multiple advantages, such as favorable physical outcomes, improved mental health, connection to nature, place attachment, attention restoration, etc. (Kaplan and Kaplan, 1989;Kruger et al. 2014;Raymond et al. 2019;Samus et al. 2022;Wood et al. 2015;Zhang et al. 2021). The result also aligns with the concept of personalized ecology, which advocates that personal experiences with nature can shape individual perspectives through different stimuli (e.g., sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch) (De Garine-Wichatitsky et al. 2021;Gaston, Soga, et al. 2018). ...
Aesthetics is a crucial ecosystem service provided by biodiversity, which is believed to help improve humans' quality of life and is linked to environmental consciousness and pro-environmental behaviors. However, how aesthetic experience induced by plants/animals influences the belief in the occurrence and significance of biodiversity loss among urban residents remains understudied. Thus, the current study aimed to examine how the diversity of pets and in-house plants affect urban residents' belief in biodiversity loss in different scenarios of aesthetic experiences (positive and negative aesthetic experiences at home due to plants/animals). Using the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) analytics on a dataset of 535 Vietnamese urban residents, we found that the people's aesthetic feeling about their house induced by plants/animals is positively associated with their belief in the occurrence and significance of biodiversity loss. The diversity of plants and pets is also positively associated with the level of biodiversity loss belief, but the effect is conditional on the aesthetic experience of the urban residents. Specifically, the positive association between species diversity and the belief only appears when urban residents feel that their houses' aesthetics are negatively affected by plants/animals. Moreover, the association between pet diversity and biodiversity loss belief is less significant and reliable than that of plant diversity. These findings suggest that raising the houses' aesthetics through in-house planting or pet ownership can potentially enhance biodiversity loss belief and subsequently build an eco-surplus culture among urban residents.
Digitalization significantly impacts human-environment systems by altering how people interact with natural spaces. This extends to outdoor recreation, where digital tools increasingly serve as interfaces between visitors and site management authorities. However, to date, little attention has been given to the digital divide across generations within this application domain. Therefore, this study investigates the generational differences in digital skills and recreational behaviour and highlights its implications for visitor management in urban and suburban forest destinations. Using data from an online panel of 3,121 respondents in Vienna, we examined how digital competence influences outdoor recreation across age groups. The results highlight significant differences in technology use when planning and navigating during leisure trips between generations. Four major visitor profiles have been identified, each reflecting distinct patterns of digital tool usage and recreational preferences and corresponding with the respondents’ age. We emphasize the need for inclusive and adaptive management strategies to accommodate diverse digital behaviours and enhance urban forest experiences for all generations. Recognizing that effective management is contingent on understanding the nuances of technology utilization, our case study-based approach seeks to understand the public's demand for nature and the contribution of forest areas to recreation, through the lens of different generations.
Urban and peri-urban forests (UPFs) are critical in addressing climate change challenges and fostering urban sustainability. The world faces escalating climate threats, with human activities causing historic CO2 emissions and rising atmospheric CO2 concentration. Tree planting and reforestation are crucial to limit global warming to 1.5 °C, aligning with global efforts. As urbanization surges, UPFs emerge as essential components for climate change mitigation and adaptation, often called “city lungs. Recognized in Sustainable Development Goal-11”, UPFs offer diverse ecosystem services, contributing to urban quality of life. However, these forests face threats from unregulated urban development and inadequate management, often undervalued by decision-makers. Urban forests offer numerous benefits, addressing various urban issues such as food security, poverty, pollution, and climate change. They are pivotal in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), impacting nine specific SDGs. Understanding urban ecosystem services (UES) becomes imperative as more than half the global population resides in cities. In this chapter, the concept of ecosystem services is divided into four categories: provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural. This paper focuses on provisioning and regulating services provided by urban trees, detailing their role in food security, pollution mitigation, and climate regulation. Specifically, it explores the regulating services of heat mitigation, dust retention, carbon sequestration, and noise reduction, emphasizing the impact of tree species, environmental factors, and their role in enhancing the urban quality of life. Recognizing and incorporating their diverse ecosystem services into comprehensive climate change mitigation strategies is crucial for building healthier, more resilient cities.
Urban forests, comprising the collective green spaces and trees in cities, are recognized for their multifaceted benefits. They contribute significantly to environmental health by mitigating air pollution, regulating temperatures, and enhancing biodiversity. Furthermore, urban forests play an important role in promoting mental well-being and providing recreational spaces for residents. However, the burgeoning urbanization presents a series of challenges to the sustainability of urban forests. The limited available space in urban areas, coupled with issues like soil compaction and competition for resources, poses threats to the health and longevity of urban trees. Additionally, the unequal distribution of urban forests can exacerbate environmental injustices, impacting communities disparately. Despite the challenges, the chapter highlights opportunities for enhancing urban forest sustainability. Integrating green infrastructure into urban planning, implementing effective tree care practices, and fostering community engagement are identified as key strategies. The chapter explores innovative approaches, such as vertical forests and urban agroforestry, that offer potential solutions to maximize the benefits of urban forests in constrained spaces. It provides a nuanced understanding of the socio-ecological dynamics within urban environments and offers insights for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers. The comprehensive exploration of urban forest dynamics, from the ecological to the social dimensions, ensures a holistic perspective for addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities presented by urban forests. This chapter is a valuable resource for those interested in understanding and advancing the role of urban forests. It navigates the complex interplay of ecological, social, and economic factors, providing a foundation for informed urban planning and environmental management decision-making. The chapter ultimately advocates integrating urban forests as integral components of sustainable and resilient cities.
Introduction: Guided contact with nature has positive effects on well-being. Little is known about the effectiveness of adding nature-based interventions to inpatient treatment for depression. Therefore, we evaluated a mindfulness- and relaxation-based nature intervention for depressed patients in psychosomatic rehabilitation treatment.
Method: Psychosomatic rehabilitation inpatients with depression were allocated to either a Greencare mindfulness- and relaxation-based nature intervention (n = 116) or to treatment as usual plus waitlist control group (TAU+WL) (n = 111) in two centres. All patients received questionnaires on admission (T1) and discharge (T2). Greencare patients received follow-up questionnaires three months after the intervention (T3). Main outcome was mood, assessed by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Secondary outcomes were depression, mindfulness, state self-compassion, and contact with nature. Data were analysed as intent-to-treat using mixed models for repeated measures, adjusted for propensity score and centre. Patients’ ratings of the effectiveness of the sessions and their well-being, and situational aspects of each session, were recorded.
Results: We found significant interactions of time*group for PANAS, showing greater positive affect (Cohen’s d at T2 = 0.48) and lower negative affect (Cohen’s d at T2 = 0.52) in the Greencare group compared to the TAU+WL group at T2. At follow-up (T3), the effects in the Greencare group decreased, but remained significant compared to T1. Significant results for self-compassion and non-significant effects for depression and mindfulness were found. The groups did not differ in the amount of contact with nature. Sensitivity analyses revealed more favourable follow-up effects for patients with higher levels of depression. Patients reported high ratings of effectiveness and well-being for each session, and these ratings were not related to the weather conditions. No adverse events were reported.
Discussion: Depressed inpatients benefitted from a Greencare mindfulness- and relaxation-based nature intervention by improving positive and negative affect. The effects were slightly reduced after three months, but less in patients with higher levels of depression on admission. Results show that the intervention is feasible and effective even for patients with higher symptom burden.
Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (trial registration number: DRKS00023369, universal trial registration number: U1111-1260-7305)
Keywords: depression; inpatients; nature-based intervention; mindfulness; relaxation; controlled clinical trial
i>Against the backdrop of increasing urbanization and subsequent disconnection from nature, there has been growing interest in the role that spending time in natural environments can play in promoting well-being. However, most research to date has focused on the health potential of green spaces and neglected the relationship between blue spaces (bodies of inland and coastal water) and well-being outcomes. Studies have shown that spending more time by the sea, or living in close proximity to the coast, is linked with better mental and general health, but have typically neglected to consider how individuals may uniquely experience different types of urban nature. Hence, this study aimed to explore, in-depth, the lived experience of looking out to sea and how it may play a role in well-being. Four self-selected females, living and working in a coastal city, were interviewed using semi-structured techniques. Interviews were recorded and transcribed; and data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results revealed each had a strong and enduring bond with the sea as ‘part of self’, and as transcending the self. Looking out to sea was a multisensory, embodied experience that captivated them in the present, and was perceived to play an important role in the restoration and enhancement of their hedonic and eudemonic well-being. As researchers and policy makers begin to understand potential links between loss of contact with nature and deteriorating public health, better understanding the relationship between the sea and well-being could have significant global value.</i
112 年 12 月 26 日；第一次修正：113 年 1 月 22 日； 第二次修正：113 年 2 月 16 日；接受日期：113 年 3 月 1 日 摘要 農業景觀具心理恢復潛力，也是遊客與農村聯結的重要元素，了解遊客對農業景觀的心 理恢復與地方依附關係有必要性。目前雖有少數知覺恢復性與地方依附關係的文獻，但缺乏 兩者關係一致性之結果與少有兩者關係在農業景觀的調查。因此，本研究以治療性景觀為基 礎，整合注意力恢復和地方依附觀點，提出知覺恢復性、正向情緒、記憶性和地方依附的研 究架構進行調查，也探討正向情緒和記憶性在知覺恢復性與地方依附間的中介角色。以臺東 池上鄉稻田景觀實證，共 406 份有效問卷。結果顯示，除知覺恢復性對地方依附無顯著影響 外，其餘變項間關係皆顯著，正向情緒和記憶性在知覺恢復性與地方依附間扮演完全中介角 色。本研究根據結果提出理論意涵探討及實務建議。 【關鍵字】：知覺恢復、情緒、記憶性、地方依附、注意力恢復理論、鄉村旅遊 Abstract Agricultural landscapes not only possess potential for psychological restoration but also serve as crucial elements bonding visitors' experiences with rural areas. Understanding the psychological restoration and place attachment of visitors to agricultural landscapes is essential. Although there is literature addressing the relationship between perceived restorativeness and place attachment, there is an inconsistency in the results and a gap of previous studies in investigating the relationship between the two in the context of agricultural landscapes. Therefore, based on the foundation of a therapeutic landscapes concept, this study integrates perspectives from Attention Restoration Theory and Place Attachment Theory, proposing a research model that investigates the relationships among perceived restorativeness, positive emotions, memorability, and place attachment. Additionally, it explores the mediating roles of positive emotions and memorability in the relationship between perceived restorativeness and place attachment. The results of structural equation modeling on data from 406 valid questionnaires distributed to visitors visiting paddy fields in Chishang Township, Taitung, Taiwan, indicated that perceived restorativeness has no significant effect on place attachment, while the relationships among the other variables are all significant. Positive emotion and memorability play a fully mediating role in the relationship between perceived restorativeness and place attachment. Based on the research results, this study offers theoretical implications for discussion and provides practical recommendations.
The nostalgic experience of a place of power is considered using the example of the White Sea Biological Station named after N.A. Pertsov. Number of research examining the influence of place on human behavior, development and health, as well as its resource capacity, has increased dramatically in recent decades. We tested two research questions: what is the structure of the nostalgic experience of a place of power and what valence does it have? The study respondents are aged 16–25, 10 are female and 25 are male. We used the content analysis of interview texts with the identification of categories and codes, as well as the Janis coefficient to assess the valence of the nostalgic experience of a place of power. The results of the study showed that the structure of in the nostalgic experience of a place of power using the example of the White Sea Biological Station includes three main categories, mentioned in order of importance: Unique Environmental Conditions, Significant Events and Close People. The results of the study indicate the dominant positive valence of the White Sea Biological Station as the nostalgic experience of a place of power (the Janis coefficient — 0.11) and also that the nostalgic experience of a place of power can be ambivalent. On the one hand, it promotes movement forward by encouraging reflection on the past, where difficulties have been overcome more than once. On the other hand, if a person is prone to unhealthy thinking patterns, the benefits of remembering the past are neutralized, leading to fixation on it. The research results can be used in psychological counseling and psychotherapy, as well a part of training and programs to improve the level of personal potential and coping with difficult life situations.
The level of perceived danger crucially affects environmental quality. While photos were the primary media used in the literature to measure perceived danger, photos only reflect a small portion of the overall environmental experiences. Researchers are currently exploring the use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology to enhance immersion and measure perceived danger by presenting a comprehensive environmental experience. Therefore, this study aims to explore the validity of using IVR technology to measure perceived danger and compare it with traditional photo media. This study compared the ratings of perceived danger at the same sites with different media of stimulus: on-site, photo, and IVR. Furthermore, the evaluations were conducted in the daytime and nighttime, with each subject being assigned to only one period. The results revealed differences between the evaluations from photo and on-site, but no significant differences were found between on-site and IVR. Thus, using IVR to present experimental stimuli may offer a more realistic assessment of perceived danger than using photos. The findings confirm the validity of using IVR technology for measuring perceived danger and are useful for future research on perceived danger.
Societies have witnessed a huge scientific and technological revolution in various fields of life, which makes human life more easy and dynamic, and it has great benefit, but despite these great positives of the technological revolution, it was accompanied by multiple negative effects, all groups of society, especially children, where it has become Our children today are in a troubled and inconsistent relationship with the surrounding natural environment. The recreational activities of the young-who live in urban areas-have shifted from the external environment and fulfilled to the negative (domestic) activities. Instead of playing in the open air based on nature, the child became locked into the house and walked into electronic games and mortgaged smart devices, and the time spent in the air became The tavern is relatively few compared to previous generations, which has had negative effects on its growth, especially in preschool , and has increased its physiological, emotional and social problems (Louv, 2005: 10). This study aims to identify: 1-Disorder of the lack of nature in kindergartens on each field of scale and scale in general. 2-The significance of differences in each area of the scale of natural lack disorder and the overall scale of gender variable (male, female) The researcher relied in her study on the descriptive-analytical approach and on two tools namely the scale of nature disorder and the test of attention. Psychologically, the research has been approved by the proportion of 80% agreement on its paragraphs to be considered acceptable in the scale. In the light of the opinions of a jury, all the paragraphs of the scale of (21) paragraphs were distributed with some adjustments made to these paragraphs in the language and interpretation of the meaning. For the stability, it was extracted using the method of stability. The scale was applied to a sample of (60) children who were randomly selected, as the calculated stability factor (0.699) which is an acceptable coefficient of stability. And in a way of internal consistency Fakronbach (0,73). The test includes (20) items in the final form. The two tools applied on the sample of (200) children from the kindergarten in the General Directorate of Education in Baghdad (Karkh and Rusafa) which selected randomly for the academic year (2019/2020). In light of the research results, the researcher concludes the following: Kindergarten kids do not have a deficiency disorder, as the results came with an arithmetic average higher than the hypothetical average of the scale. Kindergarten kids are attentive, as the results came with an arithmetic average higher than the hypothetical average of the scale. Thus, in light of the research results, the researcher recommends that urging the supervising authorities in the Ministry of Education to follow up and prepare a curriculum that simulates nature for kindergarten kids to spread awareness of nature among children.
Ecotherapy, also known as nature therapy or green therapy, is the applied practice of Ecopsychology a therapeutic treatment that involves outdoor activities in nature such as care farming, animal-assisted interventions (AAI), social and therapeutic horticulture (STH), healing gardens and facilitated green exercise. Natural environment because of its role in species evolution has a restorative impact on humans increasing happiness promoting neurotransmitter serotonin production, applicable to many medical phenomena. Humans have an innate biological affinity for the natural environment-the biophilia hypothesis and Biophilic design is an integral part of restorative environmental design, an approach that seeks to re-establish positive connections between nature and humanity.
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