Evaluating the Restorative Potential of Different Green Strategies in Streets

The contemporary urban lifestyle, marked by heightened stress levels, contributes to a global surge in mental health issues. Urban sidewalks, where daily interactions occur, offer potential respite, making the design of restorative urban streets crucial for enhancing mental well-being. While previous research acknowledges the restorative value of urban green spaces, there is a pressing need for new studies to identify effective green strategies for mental health promotion. This study focuses on identifying urban green spaces positively affecting mental health and assessing various green strategies from the pedestrian perspective. Using virtual reality (VR), participants evaluated 3D model urban scenes on mobile screens within VR glasses, featuring different sidewalk vegetation and building facades, resulting in 16 experimental conditions. Participants, including individuals from architectural and non-architectural backgrounds and undergraduate students and professionals, expressed unanimous preference for green areas on sidewalks and building facades. The most restorative model featured trees on sidewalks and open front yards on building facades. Additionally, a positive correlation emerged between "Restorative Potential" and Attention Restoration Theory (ART) components, shedding light on factors influencing urban green space preferences. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into designing urban green spaces for promoting mental well-being. Policymakers and planners can leverage this evidence to craft urban environments offering restorative benefits, enhancing residents' overall quality of life in cities worldwide.