Landscape design of university campuses: method of aesthetic stimulation for male and female students

This study aims to examine the aesthetic perception of landscape elements in university campuses by male and female students. The significance of an aesthetically appealing and comfortable campus environment for enhancing social and academic experiences, as well as student well-being, underscores the relevance of this research. The objective of the study is to identify and analyze differences in aesthetic evaluations of various landscape design elements between male and female respondents. A survey was conducted using semantic differential scales based on criteria of sensory-hedonic and evaluative judgment. Data analysis involved the use of Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Student’s two-sample t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis. The sample consisted of 500 students (50% male and 50% female) from five universities in Russia. The natural environment was categorized into external and internal levels of perception. The external level includes criteria such as color, shape, proportions, and other physical characteristics of the landscape. The internal level encompasses the social and cultural characteristics of individuals. Additional criteria considered include functionality, environmental friendliness, impact on psycho-emotional states, and social aspects of interaction with the landscape. The findings of this study may also be applied to broader contexts, such as urban landscapes and public spaces.