Research on the Healing Potential of Urban Parks from the Perspective of Audio-Visual Integration: A Case Study of Five Urban Parks in Chengdu

Zhenhong Yang, Xiaoying Zhao, Lin Zhu, Yishi Xia, Yixin Ma, Jingyan Wu, Xueqian Xiong, Ni Yang and Miao Lu ()
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Zhenhong Yang: Arts College, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610207, China
Xiaoying Zhao: School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Lin Zhu: Arts College, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610207, China
Yishi Xia: Pittsburgh Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610207, China
Yixin Ma: West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610044, China
Jingyan Wu: College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610207, China
Xueqian Xiong: College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610207, China
Ni Yang: School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610052, China
Miao Lu: Arts College, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610207, China

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-25

Abstract: In recent decades, rapid urbanization has been linked to negative impacts on people’s mental health. However, the healing potential of urban parks as central features of cityscapes has not been fully explored from the perspective of audio-visual integration. This gap limits designers’ ability to leverage parks’ healing systems to their full potential. To address this gap, this study used the Mindwave monitoring and recovery component scale to evaluate the healing function of urban parks in Chengdu, specifically focusing on audio-visual integration. Based on audio-visual scene combination samples collected through shooting and recording, we found that: (1) The visual and audio qualities of birdsong (the sky above the blue space and the green space) can significantly differ. (2) Birdsong and conversation seem to provide healing effects from seemingly contradictory dimensions of “quiet” and “social”, with gender differences as the primary influencing factor. (3) Visible children laughing at low levels (30% and 50%) has a more negative impact than invisible traffic noise at the same sound pressure level. (4) Audio-visual interaction does not always have a positive effect, with the visibility of the sound source as the primary influencing factor. (5) An increase in audio proportion did not necessarily correspond to a linear increase in the healing effect. Through exploring the influence of audio-visual combination scenes on healing effects in urban parks, this study provides an empirical basis for park design and planning that considers audio-visual healing effects. It offers insights into designing healing systems for parks and urban areas as well.

Keywords: healing landscape; brain wave; audio-visual integration; therapeutic evaluation; park city (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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