Abstract
Urban community parks are closely related to the health of residents, and have a positive effect on residents’ perception of nature, alleviating anxiety, and promoting physical health. Many previous studies have examined the impact of community parks on the health of the population, but few studies have investigated the potential of specific landscape elements in community parks to restore physical health. We conducted psychological questionnaires with 440 users of community parks in Shanghai through on-site surveys. Based on the psychological questionnaire, a structural equation model of the relationship between the community park landscape environment and users’ feelings was established. The model indicated that the natural environment, activity environment, and rest environment in the community park had positive effects on the physical, mental, and social health of users. At the same time, we recruited 50 participants to conduct laboratory experiments examining physiological changes while participants viewed different types of scene photographs showing the same landscape element. By measuring physiological indicators, including skin conductivity and heart rate, we sought to identify the types of landscape elements that help relieve the stress of users. The results revealed that flower clusters and waterscapes in the natural environment landscape, plastic fitness trails and fitness equipment places in the sports area, landscape elements such as benches with backrests, Chinese style pavilions, and green corridors with plants in the rest space, played positive roles in alleviating feelings of pressure and promoting relaxation among community park users. Based on these findings, we propose specific design strategies to improve the landscape health of community parks.
Highlights
In 1989, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a new definition of health, describing health as a four-dimensional state involving the health of the body, mental health, positive social adaptation, and moral health
As green spaces enabling residents in a community to carry out daily leisure activities, community parks are important for promoting the health of the national population in China [2]
Combined with the analysis the preference questionnaire, the results revealed that participants exhibthe analysis of the preference questionnaire, the results revealed that participants exhibthe analysis the preference questionnaire, the results revealed that participants exhibthe analysis ofofof the preference questionnaire, the results revealed that participants exhibited the greatest degree of pressure relief in relation to the fitness trail with a plastic floor
Summary
In 1989, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a new definition of health, describing health as a four-dimensional state involving the health of the body, mental health, positive social adaptation, and moral health. Improving elements of the natural environment at multiple levels promotes healthy lifestyles, enhancing the public health of the population [1]. As green spaces enabling residents in a community to carry out daily leisure activities, community parks are important for promoting the health of the national population in China [2]. Ulrich’s stress reduction theory (SRT) proposes that natural elements, such as plants and bodies of water, have the effect of calming emotions and relieving stress, aiding relaxation and recovery from stress in the natural environment [3]
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