Relationship between predictors of visual preference and restorative components of the urban natural landscapes

Abstract

The role of scenic landscapes in restoring human mental fatigue has begun to receive attention from landscape researchers. However, little is known about the positive role of visually-preferred landscapes on restorative environments and in improving the mental fatigue of people. This study attempted to determine the relationship between the predictors of preference and restorative components of urban natural landscapes. In an experimental study, 120 participants from three departments in University Putra Malaysia rated the predictors of preference and the restorative components of 12 color slides of urban natural landscapes. The results of this study showed that the predictors of preference, except for “Legibility", positively explained restorative variables. “Mystery" and “Complexity" were found as the most effective variable to increase “Fascination", while “Coherence" increased “Being away". The results of this study may be of significant benefit to city planners, designers and developers, with regards to the influence of landscape characteristics in increasing the perceived restorativenss of urban landscapes and to consider them for designing new landscapes or improving existing landscapes in cities.