The Effect of Natural Planting and Perceived Restoration in Urban Landscapes
This experimental research design implemented three pocket park environment experiences with varying levels of planting naturalness using virtual reality. Findings revealed that site users’ perceived naturalness is correlated with perceived restorativeness and that facets of restorativeness vary across environments.
High Naturalness Environment Walkthrough
A post-survey measured perceived naturalness and perceived restorativeness within the urban landscapes. A survey containing photos of three different levels of naturalness was provided to survey participants to rate from a scale of 0 being the least naturalistic to 10 being the most naturalistic.
How can the findings inform design and planning strategies?
The Effect of Natural Planting and Perceived Restoration in Urban Landscapes
Urban green spaces like pocket parks allow city dwellers to disconnect from their day-to-day lives. It is important to understand how designers can use planting design to make urban green spaces more relaxing and promote restorativeness. Little is known about how naturalness within pocket parks can impact users' perceived restorativeness. An experimental research design implemented three pocket park environment experiences with varying levels of planting naturalness using virtual reality. A post-survey measured perceived naturalness and perceived restorativeness within the urban landscapes. Findings revealed that site users’ perceived naturalness is correlated with perceived restorativeness and that facets of restorativeness vary across environments. Results imply that different planting designs can influence facets of perceived restorativeness.
Team
Savannah AlexanderJessica Fernandez, Ph.D.Ruiqi YangShirin RezaeimalekJewon Lyu, Ph.D.Prof. David SpoonerProf. Peter SummerlinIn Collabration with
Mississippi State University Dept. of Landscape Architecture