Exploring Psychological and Aesthetic Approaches of Bio-Retention Facilities in the Urban Open Space

Suyeon Kim,Kyungjin An

doi:10.3390/su9112067

Abstract

Over the last decades, a number of bio-retention facilities have been installed in urban areas for flood control and green amenity purposes. As urban amenity facilities for citizens, bio-retentions have a lot potential; however, the literature on bio-retentions focused mostly on physiochemical aspects like water quality and runoffs. Hence, this paper aims to explore psychological aspects of bio-retentions such as perceptions and landscape aesthetic value for visitors. In order to achieve this purpose, the study employed on-site interviews and questionnaires in the chosen three case studies as research methodology. For the 3 different locations of bio-retention facilities, interviews and questionnaires were carried out. The surveys of 100 bio-retention users were conducted, investigating their general perceptions and landscape aesthetics of the bio-retention facilities. The paper found that only 34% of the interviewees recognised bio-detention facilities, illustrating that most visitors were not aware of such facilities and were unable to distinguish the differences between bio-retention and conventional gardens. On the other hand, the majority of interviewees strongly supported the concept and function of bio-retentions, especially those who recognised the differences in planting species with conventional urban open spaces. Such main findings also encourage further studies of seeking quantitative values by conducting a correlation analysis between the functions and aesthetics of bio-retention facilities.

Highlights

There has been a global phenomenon of rapid climate changes and urbanisation, and because of those, urban flash flooding, drainage problems, and not-point source pollutions have became major concerns in our lives [1]
In order to achieve these aims and purposes, a literature review was carried out to scrutinize previous research on bio-retentions, while a survey of the landscape aesthetic values and user perceptions was employed at three bio-retention facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area
The results indicated that the degree of bio-retention awareness was 34%, which shows that the majority of the general public is not aware of the existence of bio-retentions

Summary

Introduction

There has been a global phenomenon of rapid climate changes and urbanisation, and because of those, urban flash flooding, drainage problems, and not-point source pollutions have became major concerns in our lives [1]. Several studies have been conducted to find ways to reduce the impact of climate change and urbanisation on the water cycle. According to Artmann et al [2], the concept of compact green cities is required to provide a systemic approach by reflecting the complexity of cities as socio-ecological systems. In order to achieve this concept, a combination of various sources and types of data are needed, such as spatial, quantitative (economic benefits of compact cities) and qualitative (preferences of green spaces by different population groups). A study of bio-retention facilities is required to determine economics and users preferences

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion