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Abstract

This study presents an investigation of how different arrangements of vegetation, regarding spatial containment and density, affect the experience of safety in urban parks. A discrete choice experiment was used to obtain replies from a sample of 300 visitors to urban parks in Mashhad, Iran. Face-to-face surveys were conducted. Visitors randomly selected a block and evaluated six pairs of designed images of different urban park scenarios based on seven attributes (Physical accessibility, Spatial arrangement, Spatial volume, Lateral visibility, Complexity, Coherence, and Visual accessibility) and their levels. Each visitor chose their preferred option in relation to perceived safety. The results suggested that the perception of safety is strongly dependent on visual and physical accessibility, the degree of spatial enclosure, complexity and cohesion created by vegetation. This can help architects when designing urban parks; for example, the results showed that a combination of complex elements of five plant species with open lateral visibility, scattered cohesion with open lateral visibility, scattered cohesion with a two-sided spatial arrangement, and cluster cohesion with a four-sided spatial arrangement were most preferred regarding perceived safety. The findings also indicated that age, gender, and marital status affect some of the levels of the relevant variables. When designing and managing urban parks, aiming to improve users' perceived safety, these factors can be decisive.

    Keywords

    Discrete choice experiment; Prospect-refuge; Urban green space; Public health; Landscape architecture; Mixed logit model

    Published in

    Journal of Cleaner Production
    2023, volume: 403, article number: 136768

    SLU Authors

    Associated SLU-program

    Built environment
    SLU Future One Health
    SLU Urban Futures
    Nature experiences and health

    Global goals (SDG)

    SDG3 Good health and well-being
    SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Landscape Architecture
    Applied Psychology

    Publication identifier

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136768

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/121694