Study
Human FactorsHigh ImpactModerate effect

Campus green spaces can improve student well-being and focus.

Exposure to different types of campus green spaces can positively impact students' emotional state and cognitive function, with varying degrees of restorative effect.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2022

01

Key Findings

  • 01All three space types had a positive effect on improving students' emotions.
  • 02The ginkgo garden was most effective in restoring negative emotions, while Jiuqu bridge and ginkgo garden were strongest for positive emotions.
  • 03Laoban hill showed the most effective restorative potential on the human body overall, followed by Jiuqu bridge, with the ginkgo garden having the least.
  • 04Concentration was impacted by Laoban hill and Jiuqu bridge, but not significantly by the ginkgo garden.
  • 05Elements like harmony between artificial structures and environment, plant species, waterscape state, and boundary clarity were identified as significant for perceptual restoration.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing campus or public green spaces, prioritize elements that foster emotional well-being and cognitive restoration, recognizing that different landscape compositions will have distinct impacts.

How to apply

When designing outdoor spaces for educational institutions or public areas, consider creating varied zones with different landscape features to cater to diverse restorative needs.

Project actions

  • 01When choosing a research site, select areas with distinct design characteristics to highlight differences in user experience.
  • 02Consider using a combination of subjective (surveys) and objective (physiological) measures to provide a comprehensive understanding of user response.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the physiological and psychological recovery potential of different campus green space types and elements from a visual perception perspective.
MethodEmpirical study with physiological and psychological measurements.
ProcedureResearchers selected three distinct campus green spaces (Laoban hill, Jiuqu bridge, and ginkgo garden) and conducted experiments with college students. They measured physiological data (blood pressure, heart rate, concentration) and psychological data (emotions, perceptual restoration) to assess the restorative effects of each space.
ContextUniversity campus environment, post-epidemic era.

Variables

IV["Type of campus green space (Laoban hill, Jiuqu bridge, ginkgo garden)","Specific landscape elements (e.g., plant species, waterscape)"]
DV["Physiological recovery (blood pressure, heart rate, concentration)","Psychological recovery (emotions, perceptual restoration)"]
CV["Participant demographics (college students)","Time of day for measurement","Environmental conditions (weather)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Utilized both physiological and psychological measures for a comprehensive assessment.
  • +Investigated multiple distinct landscape types within a single study.

Limitations

The sample size may not be representative of all student populations, and the study was conducted in a specific geographical and cultural context. The post-epidemic context might influence participants' responses.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability could be enhanced by using standardized measurement tools and protocols. Validity is supported by the use of multiple measures (physiological and psychological) to assess restorative effects, though the lack of significant physiological changes might raise questions about the sensitivity of those specific measures.

Think critically

To what extent can the findings on physiological recovery be generalized, given the lack of significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate? What other physiological indicators might be more sensitive to the restorative effects of green spaces?

05

Design Principles

"The design of restorative environments should be tailored to specific user needs and desired outcomes, leveraging key landscape elements to maximize positive psychological and physiological effects."

Understanding how different landscape designs influence psychological and physiological states is crucial for creating environments that support learning and reduce stress. This research highlights the importance of intentional design in campus planning and the development of restorative spaces.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Different green areas on a campus can make students feel better emotionally and help them concentrate, but some areas are better than others for different reasons.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this study to justify the importance of user well-being and cognitive function in your design brief.
  • 2.Reference the findings on specific landscape elements to inform your design choices and material selection.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2022). An Empirical Study on the Promotion of Students’ Physiological and Psychological Recovery in Green Space on Campuses in the Post-Epidemic Era. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010151 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/54756af1-e4d9-44f6-85f0-1e7be7846358/campus-green-spaces-can-improve-student-well-being-and-focus

Paragraph starter

This research demonstrates that campus green spaces can significantly influence student well-being and cognitive function. The study found that while all tested green spaces improved emotional states, specific landscape elements and types of spaces offered varying degrees of restorative potential for negative emotions, positive emotions, and concentration. This underscores the importance of thoughtful landscape design in creating environments that support mental health and academic performance.

09

Source

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

An Empirical Study on the Promotion of Students’ Physiological and Psychological Recovery in Green Space on Campuses in the Post-Epidemic Era

journal · 2022

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about campus green spaces can improve student well-being and focus?
When designing campus or public green spaces, prioritize elements that foster emotional well-being and cognitive restoration, recognizing that different landscape compositions will have distinct impacts. Evidence: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).
Why does "Campus green spaces can improve student well-being and focus." matter for design?
Understanding how different landscape designs influence psychological and physiological states is crucial for creating environments that support learning and reduce stress. This research highlights the importance of intentional design in campus planning and the development of restorative spaces.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing campus or public green spaces, prioritize elements that foster emotional well-being and cognitive restoration, recognizing that different landscape compositions will have distinct impacts.
What were the main findings?
All three space types had a positive effect on improving students' emotions.. The ginkgo garden was most effective in restoring negative emotions, while Jiuqu bridge and ginkgo garden were strongest for positive emotions.. Laoban hill showed the most effective restorative potential on the human body overall, followed by Jiuqu bridge, with the ginkgo garden having the least.. Concentration was impacted by Laoban hill and Jiuqu bridge, but not significantly by the ginkgo garden.
What research method was used?
Empirical study with physiological and psychological measurements..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2022 journal from International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing outdoor spaces for educational institutions or public areas, consider creating varied zones with different landscape features to cater to diverse restorative needs.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on specific campus locations and a student population, potentially limiting generalizability to other settings or demographics. Physiological measures like blood pressure and heart rate did not show significant changes, suggesting a need for more sensitive or longer-term measurement methods.
Is there evidence that green spaces affects design outcomes?
Campus green spaces positively affect student emotions, with specific spaces offering stronger restoration for negative or positive feelings. While physiological markers like blood pressure and heart rate showed less significant changes, concentration and overall perceptual restoration varied across different landscape Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).
Where does this different landscape research apply?
University campus environment, post-epidemic era. It sits within human factors research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

green spaces design research · evidence on green spaces · does green spaces improve design outcomes · different landscape studies for designers · green spaces and different landscape findings · human factors research evidence