Assessing the Effects of Exposure to Green Rooftop Spaces on Perceived Restorativeness: A Field Study in Xiamen, China

Rapid urbanization is forcing the need to build urban environments that promote healthy and sustainable human settlements with a view to reducing the risks of various diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that green rooftop spaces may stimulate restorative benefits and enhance their livability. However, this potential remains without empirical research support. To investigate the restoration of green rooftop spaces on human well-being, we conducted a field experiment using psychophysiology measurements. With the help of physiological indicators (SBP, DBP, HR, HRV) and psychological indicators (PRS, BPOMS), the changes of indicators in the experiment were analyzed. We recruited a total of 35 college students who were randomly assigned to one of four rooftop spaces for a field experiment. Physiological and psychological indicators were measured before and after recovery to analyze the effects of rooftop spaces on restorative benefits. Paired sample t-test results revealed that although there were differences in the physiological and psychological measurements related to environmental restorative benefits, both confirmed that green rooftop spaces exhibited stress-reduction effects on participants. Notably, all four rooftop spaces had psychophysiological restoration to varying degrees, with spaces featuring a higher degree of naturalness demonstrating better restoration. Furthermore, a grassy environment had effects on positive psychophysiological responses. Correlation analysis indicated that subjective perception evaluations of green rooftop spaces had positive effects on psychophysiological restoration. The results of the study are conducive to increasing awareness of the restorative value and potential of green rooftop spaces, which can be constructed by designers, thereby contributing to sustainable urban development.