Short answer
Designers should focus on creating accessible, visually engaging green spaces that foster a sense of fascination and coherence, using elements like open fences, trees, and varied, non-uniform vegetation arrangements.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- PLoS ONE (2025)
- Method
- Experimental (Virtual Reality Simulation)
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Design elements in urban green spaces, particularly fences and vegetation types, significantly influence user preference based on psychological restorativeness factors like fascination and coherence. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in PLoS ONE. Using Experimental (virtual reality simulation), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should focus on creating accessible, visually engaging green spaces that foster a sense of fascination and coherence, using elements like open fences, trees, and varied, non-uniform vegetation arrangements.
Streetscape vegetation design: Fascination and coherence drive user preference for urban green spaces
Design elements in urban green spaces, particularly fences and vegetation types, significantly influence user preference based on psychological restorativeness factors like fascination and coherence.
PLoS ONE · 2025
Key Findings
- 01The absence of a fence was the most preferred option, regardless of fence type.
- 02Shorter fences and fences incorporating greenery were significantly more favored than other types, primarily due to the factor of fascination.
- 03Metal and high fences were less frequently selected, with coherence being the main reason for this avoidance.
- 04Trees were the most preferred vegetation type, chosen for their capacity to evoke fascination.
- 05Bushes and grass were less favored but contributed to coherence.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should focus on creating accessible, visually engaging green spaces that foster a sense of fascination and coherence, using elements like open fences, trees, and varied, non-uniform vegetation arrangements.
How to apply
When designing or redesigning urban parks, streetscapes, or pocket gardens, consider user preferences for fence presence, height, and integration with greenery, as well as the type and arrangement of vegetation, informed by the principles of fascination and coherence.
Project actions
- 01When researching user preferences for a design project, consider using virtual reality or detailed visual mock-ups to gather feedback.
- 02Frame user feedback around psychological theories like Attention Restoration Theory to provide deeper insights.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes virtual reality for controlled environmental simulation.
- +Connects design elements directly to psychological restorativeness dimensions.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a virtual environment, which may not perfectly reflect real-world experiences. User preferences can be subjective and influenced by personal experiences and cultural backgrounds.
Reliability & validity
The use of VR and structured questioning likely enhances reliability. Validity is supported by linking design features to established psychological theories (ART). However, ecological validity might be a concern due to the artificial environment.
Think critically
How might the findings on fence preference change if the study focused on different types of urban spaces, such as private gardens versus public parks?
Design Principles
"Design urban green spaces to maximize psychological restorativeness by prioritizing elements that evoke fascination and coherence."
Understanding the psychological drivers behind user preferences for urban green spaces allows designers to create more effective and restorative environments. This insight is crucial for urban planners and landscape architects aiming to enhance the well-being of city dwellers through thoughtful design.
What This Means for Your Design
People like green spaces more when they feel open, have trees, and aren't too messy or too perfectly organized. This is because these features make them feel more relaxed and less stressed.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when justifying design choices related to urban green spaces, user well-being, and the psychological impact of design elements.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that user preferences for urban green spaces are significantly influenced by psychological restorativeness factors. Specifically, designs that incorporate open fences, greenery integrated with fencing, and a moderate diversity of vegetation arranged in a non-uniform manner tend to be favored due to their ability to evoke fascination and coherence, aligning with principles of Attention Restoration Theory.
Source
PLoS ONE
Using virtual reality to study preference and restorativeness for streetscape vegetation design
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about streetscape vegetation design: fascination and coherence drive user preference for urban green spaces?
- Designers should focus on creating accessible, visually engaging green spaces that foster a sense of fascination and coherence, using elements like open fences, trees, and varied, non-uniform vegetation arrangements. Evidence: PLoS ONE (2025).
- Why does "Streetscape vegetation design: Fascination and coherence drive user preference for urban green spaces" matter for design?
- Understanding the psychological drivers behind user preferences for urban green spaces allows designers to create more effective and restorative environments. This insight is crucial for urban planners and landscape architects aiming to enhance the well-being of city dwellers through thoughtful design.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should focus on creating accessible, visually engaging green spaces that foster a sense of fascination and coherence, using elements like open fences, trees, and varied, non-uniform vegetation arrangements.
- What were the main findings?
- The absence of a fence was the most preferred option, regardless of fence type.. Shorter fences and fences incorporating greenery were significantly more favored than other types, primarily due to the factor of fascination.. Metal and high fences were less frequently selected, with coherence being the main reason for this avoidance.. Trees were the most preferred vegetation type, chosen for their capacity to evoke fascination.
- What research method was used?
- Experimental (Virtual Reality Simulation).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from PLoS ONE.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing or redesigning urban parks, streetscapes, or pocket gardens, consider user preferences for fence presence, height, and integration with greenery, as well as the type and arrangement of vegetation, informed by the principles of fascination and coherence.
- What are the limitations?
- Preferences might vary across different cultural contexts or user demographics not represented in the sample. The virtual reality environment may not fully replicate the sensory experience of real-world green spaces.