preprints.org > arts & humanities > architecture and design > doi: 10.20944/preprints201711.0049.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 8 November 2017 / Approved: 8 November 2017 / Online: 8 November 2017 (03:11:06 CET)

In daily living environments, an individual’s state influences spatial perception. The current study, based on Attention Restoration Theory, aimed to explore differences in the health utility of nature according to individual differences in spatial perception. Cognitive mapping and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) were used to assess spatial perception ranges and the restorative effect of the environment. Two spatial perceptual groups were defined: one describing only the internal area of a green space, and another illustrating the external area of this green space on a larger scale. The former had higher overall PRS, Being Away, Fascination, and Compatibility scores. The latter had higher scores only on the Coherence subscale. These results illustrate that frequency of nature visits and time spent traveling to do so differently influence the two groups’ attentional restoration, which has great implications for landscape planning in highly stressful urban environments.

spatial perception; Perceived Restorativeness Scale; urban greening; cognitive mapping; environmental restorative effect; perceptual range