3644 - DESIGNING HEALTHIER PARKS: PRELIMINARY TESTING OF PSYCHO-ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS FROM CERTIFICATION CRITERIA

Session: 3583 - EXPERIENCING, REGULATING, AND LEARNING FROM NATURE: MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO HUMAN-NATURE INTERACTIONS IN A CHANGING WORLD
AUTHORS:
Chiozza Valeria (Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Vitale Valeria (Urban and Environmental Psychology, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna ~ Vienna ~ Austria) , Bonaiuto Flavia (Faculty of Social and Communication Sciences, Mercatorum University ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Esposito Lorenzo (Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Ganucci Cancellieri Uberta (University for Foreigners "Dante Alighieri" of Reggio Calabria ~ Reggio Calabria ~ Italy) , Bonaiuto Marino (Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy)
Abstract text:
Introduction. Urban parks provide critical opportunities for psychological restoration, yet little research has systematically examined how specific natural elements shape users' perceptions and experiences across multiple outcomes.
Purpose. The present study investigated the effects of five environmental indicators - blue element, floral coverage (25% and 50%), chromatic floral biodiversity, and faunal biodiversity - on evaluations of urban park images compared to a baseline park.
Methods. A sample of 200 Italian adults participated in a within-subject online survey, rating each image on perceived restorativeness, place perception, liking, desire to visit, uniqueness, aesthetic value, restorative qualities, emotions, and place selection for emotion regulation. The research also examined whether place wellbeing affordances - in terms of naturalness, maintenance, safety, familiarity - mediated the effects of environmental indicators, and explored age and gender differences.
Results. Findings showed that images featuring indicators were evaluated more positively than the baseline across most outcomes, with blue elements and biodiversity features producing the strongest effects. Place wellbeing affordances partially mediated these effects, highlighting the role of perceived environmental quality in promoting positive experiences. Socio-demographic analyses revealed that younger adults generally rated images more positively, while older participants showed higher evaluations of uniqueness, aesthetic value, and desire to visit. Women were more sensitive to specific features, particularly blue elements and biodiversity, in their assessments of restorativeness, pleasantness, and relaxation.
Conclusions. These findings provide robust evidence that specific natural features enhance perceptual, affective, and restorative outcomes in urban parks, and underscore the importance of incorporating blue elements and biodiversity in urban design to support user well-being and guide effective urban planning.