Impact of biophilic design parameters on university students’ place attachment and quality of campus life

Abstract

In architectural practice and academic research, there is a growing concern about preserving the connectedness with nature on university campuses through biophilic design and maximising its rich impacts on students. Since place attachment (PA) and quality of campus life (QCL) are important factors affecting students, the current study aims to identify the impact of physical, visual, and auditory connections with nature (biophilic design parameters) on PA (place identity and place dependence) and QCL (self-reported physical health, mental well-being, social health, and academic success). Data from the survey of 378 university students were analysed using Spearman correlation and descriptive statistics. Results demonstrate that physical and visual connection with nature correlates with place dependence and self-reported physical health; additionally, the auditory connection with nature correlates with place identity and self-reported social health. The outcomes of the present study increase our understanding of the importance of biophilic design on campus, and offer practical implications and design suggestions for landscape designers and architects to enhance students’ PA and QCL.