The effects of interaction with audiovisual elements on perceived restoration in urban parks in freezing weather

Abstract

Urban green spaces, crucial for urban residents’ wellbeing, offer restorative benefits mainly through natural elements, as established in existing literature which were generally conducted in warm weather. Yet, cold weather modifies how both natural and anthropogenic elements appear and function, and hence their impacts on restorativeness may deviate. In cold weather, whether an urban green space would be overall restorative, and which type of elements would be more beneficial remains poorly understood. Here we present the results of a walk experience experiment with 20 participants on three typical landscape routes in a waterside park in a winter city. Participants' restorative experiences and their visual and auditory exposures were evaluated using the Restorative Experience Scale, eye tracker, and binaural acoustic measurement system. By comparing participants’ restorative experience and their visual and auditory exposure, we found that in the cold weather, natural elements vegetation and water surfaces, the appearances of which were subjective to major seasonal changes, ceased to promote restorativeness. Aesthetically pleasing landscape decorations instead promoted the restorativeness of the environment strongly (β = 0.286, p = 0.004). Additionally, soundscape appropriateness (β = 0.320, p = 0.002) and lower environmental loudness (for N5, β = −0.430, p = 0.000) were also strong positive influencers. These collectively explained 49.7 % of the overall restorative experience in a multiple linear regression model (adjusted R2 = 0.497). Our findings should guide the rational wellbeing-directed landscape design of restorative environments in cold regions to allow sustained restorativeness throughout the year.