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What Characteristics of Urban Green Spaces and Recreational Activities Do Self-Reported Stressed Individuals Like? A Case Study of Baoji, China

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  • Tian Gao

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rui Song

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ling Zhu

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi, China)

  • Ling Qiu

    (College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi, China)

Abstract

Several studies have revealed the positive effects of green space and certain activities on counteracting the physical and mental pressure felt by human beings. However, how self-reported stressed people perceive restorative green spaces, their preferences for specific characteristics and activities, and what characteristics of urban green space can induce various types of activities for stress recovery has not been fully examined in the high-density cities of China. Using an on-site questionnaire survey conducted in the People’s Park (PP) in Baoji, China, this study is the first to consider the relationship among eight sensory dimensions, activity types and stress recovery in Chinese green space. Results showed that the highest-stressed respondents were more likely to spend their time in multi-layered woodlands adjacent to water, with more experiences of serene but less about prospect . They preferred serene dimension more, while the culture and social dimensions were least preferred. Sports and leisure activities and quiet activities were the most popular among highest-stressed respondents, which were positively related to the serene and nature dimensions, respectively. Results suggested that the most restorative environment for stress recovery can be regarded as multi-layered woodlands adjacent to water with more serene and nature , less prospect and few or no culture and social dimensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Tian Gao & Rui Song & Ling Zhu & Ling Qiu, 2019. "What Characteristics of Urban Green Spaces and Recreational Activities Do Self-Reported Stressed Individuals Like? A Case Study of Baoji, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:8:p:1348-:d:222828
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Congying An & Jinglan Liu & Qiaohui Liu & Yuqi Liu & Xiaoli Fan & Yishen Hu, 2022. "How Perceived Sensory Dimensions of Forest Park Are Associated with Stress Restoration in Beijing?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Hongqidi Li & Xueyan Du & Huirui Ma & Zhimeng Wang & Yue Li & Jianping Wu, 2022. "The Effect of Virtual-Reality-Based Restorative Environments on Creativity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-38, September.
    3. Tian Gao & Tian Zhang & Ling Zhu & Yanan Gao & Ling Qiu, 2019. "Exploring Psychophysiological Restoration and Individual Preference in the Different Environments Based on Virtual Reality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Awoyemi, Adewale G. & Ibáñez-Rueda, Nazaret & Guardiola, Jorge & Ibáñez-Álamo, Juan Diego, 2024. "Human-nature interactions in the Afrotropics: Experiential and cognitive connections among urban residents in southern Nigeria," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).

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