Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

What Is Urban Nature and How Do We Perceive It?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Naturally Challenged: Contested Perceptions and Practices in Urban Green Spaces

Part of the book series: Cities and Nature ((CITIES))

Abstract

This chapter discusses the complexities and apparent contradictions in defining ‘nature’ and ‘urban nature’ in the context of human-nature interactions. It explains why urban nature is so important to human health and well-being at this point in the twenty first century, focusing particularly on why considering nature perception is crucial if we are to plan, design and manage urban nature to prioritise people’s aesthetic appreciation, health and well-being. Nature-perceptions are then framed in relation to diversity in nature: the role of varying biodiversity, perceived biodiversity and different aesthetics of nature (specifically flowering and colour , structure and care). The significance of varying socio-cultural and geographical contextual factors in nature perception is then highlighted. The chapter closes by addressing implications for policy and practice and future research directions in relation to urban nature perception . The author draws extensively from her own and related research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Berlyne DE (1971) Aesthetics and psychobiology. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Botzat A, Fischer LK, Kowarik I (2016) Unexploited opportunities in understanding liveable and biodiverse cities. A review on urban biodiversity perception and valuation. Glob Environ Chang 39:220–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Bratman GN, Hamilton JP, Daily GC (2012) The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1249:118–136. PMID: 22320203

    Google Scholar 

  • Bratman GN, Hamilton JP, Hahn KS et al (2015) Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. PNAS 112(28):8567–8572

    Google Scholar 

  • British Medical Association (2019) The primary care network handbook. BMA, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Buijs AE, Elands BHM, Langers F (2009) No wilderness for immigrants: cultural differences in images of nature and landscape preferences. Landsc Urban Plan 91:113–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrus G, Scopelliti M, Lafortezza R et al (2015) Go greener, feel better? The positive effects of biodiversity on the well-being of individuals visiting urban and peri-urban green areas. Landsc Urban Plan 134:221–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiles A (2019) In the wastelands of Birmingham and Manchester, buddleia is a symbol of our national neglect. Available via https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2019/apr/04/in-the-wastelands-of-birmingham-and-manchester-buddleia-is-a-symbol-of-our-national-neglect. Accessed 10 May 2019

  • Clark NE, Lovell R, Wheeler BW et al (2014) Biodiversity, cultural pathways, and human health: a framework. Trends Ecol Evol 29(4):198–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2014.01.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cox DTC, Hudson HL, Shanahan DF et al (2017a) The rarity of direct experiences of nature in an urban population. Landsc Urban Plan 160:79–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox DTC, Shanahan DF, Hudson HL et al (2017b) Doses of neighborhood nature: the benefits for mental health of living with nature. BioSci 67(2):147–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronon W (1996) Uncommon ground: rethinking the human place in nature. W.W. Norton & Co, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Dallimer M, Irvine KN, Skinner AMJ et al (2012) Biodiversity and the feel-good factor: understanding associations between self – reported human well-being and species richness. BioSci 62(1):47–55

    Google Scholar 

  • De Boer TA, Schulting R (2002) Zorg (en) voor natuur. Draagvlak voor natuur en natuurbeleid in 2001. Alterra, Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • Dye C (2008) Health and urban living. Science 319:766–769

    Google Scholar 

  • England N (2015) Monitor of engagement with the natural environment, Technical Report 2013–14. Natural England, London. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6579788732956672 Accessed 29 Apr 2019

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer LK, Honold J, Botzat A et al (2018a) Recreational ecosystem services in European cities: sociocultural and geographical contexts matter for park use. Ecosyst Serv 31:455–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2018.01.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer LK, Honold J, Cvejićd R et al (2018b) Beyond green: broad support for biodiversity in multicultural European cities. Glob Environ Chang 49:35–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Fishbein M, Ajzen I (1975) Belief, attitude, intention, and behaviour: an introduction to theory and research. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler D (2002) Pollutant deposition and uptake by vegetation. In: JNB B, Treshow M (eds) Air pollution and plant life, vol 2E. Wiley, New York, pp 43–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Frantz CM, Mayer FS (2014) The importance of connection to nature in assessing environmental education programs. Stud Educ Eval 30(41):85–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Frumkin H, Bratman GN, Breslow SJ et al (2017) Nature contact and human health: a research agenda. Environ Health Perspect 7:075001

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller R, Irvine K, Devine-Wright P et al (2007) Psychological benefits of greenspace increase with biodiversity. Biol Lett 3:390–394

    Google Scholar 

  • Fulton DC, Manfredo MJ, Lipscomb J (1996) Wildlife value orientations: a conceptual and measurement approach. Hum Dimens Wildl 1:24–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Graves RA, Pearson SM, Turner MG (2017) Species richness alone does not predict cultural ecosystem service value. PNAS 114(14):3774–3779. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1701370114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartig T, Mitchell R, de Vries S et al (2014) Nature and health. Annu Rev Public Health 35:207–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Haviland-Jones J, Hale H, Wilson P et al (2005) An environmental approach to positive emotion: flowers. Evol Psychol 3:104–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Heerwagen J, Orians G (1995) Humans, habitats and aesthetics. In: Kellert S, Wilson E (eds) The biophilia hypothesis. Island Press, Washington, DC, pp 138–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzog TR, Maguire CP, Nebel MB, (2003) Assessing the restorative components of environments. J Environ Psychol 23:159-170. doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(02)00113-5

  • Hope D, Gries C, Zhu W et al (2003) Socioeconomics drive urban plant diversity. Proc Natl Acad Sci 100:8788–8792

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle H (2015) Human happiness v urban biodiversity? Public perception of designed urban planting in a warming climate. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/10738/. Accessed 28 Jun 2019

  • Hoyle H, Hitchmough JD, Jorgensen A (2017a) All about the ‘wow factor’? The relationships between aesthetics, restorative effect and perceived biodiversity in designed urban planting. Landsc Urban Plan 164:109–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle H, Hitchmough JD, Jorgensen A (2017b) Attractive, climate-adapted and sustainable? Public perception of non-native planting in the designed urban landscape. Landsc Urban Plan 164:49–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle H, Jorgensen A, Warren P et al (2017c) “Not in their front yard” the opportunities and challenges of introducing perennial urban meadows: a local authority stakeholder perspective. Urban For Urban Gree 25:139–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle H, Norton B, Dunnett N et al (2018) Plant species or flower colour diversity? Identifying the drivers of public and invertebrate response to designed annual meadows. Landsc Urban Plan 180:103–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle H, Jorgensen A, Hitchmough JD (2019) What determines how we see nature? Perceptions of naturalness in designed urban green spaces. People Nat 00:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Ittleson WH (ed) (1973) Environment and cognition. Seminar Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ives CD, Kendal D (2014) The role of social values in the management of ecological systems. J Environ Manag 144:67–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Jay M, Schraml U (2009) Understanding the role of urban forests for migrants: uses, perception and integrative potential. Urban For Urban 8:283–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen A, Keenan R (eds) (2012) Urban wildscapes. Routledge, London. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.5100.5763

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen A, Hitchmough JD, Calvert T (2002) Woodland spaces and edges: their impact on perception of safety and preference. Landsc Urban Plan 60:135–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen A, Hitchmough JD, Dunnett N (2007) Woodland as a setting for housing – appreciation and fear and the contribution to residential satisfaction and place identity in Warrington new town, UK. Landsc Urban Plan 79:273–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan R, Kaplan S (1989) The experience of nature: a psychological perspective. University Press Cambridge, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendal D, Williams KJH, Williams NSG (2012) Plant traits link people’s plant preferences to the composition of their gardens. Landsc Urban Plan 105:34–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Klepeis NE, Nelson WC, Ott WR et al (2001) The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS): are source for assessing exposure to environmental pollutants. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 11(3):231–252., PMID: 11477521. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kloek ME, Schouten MGC, Arts B (2010) Hedendaagse literatuur en natuurbeelden. Verkenning van natuurbeelden in literatur van autochtone schrijvers met een Marokkaanseachtergrond. Landschap 27(1):5–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Laia Y, Kontokostab CE (2019) The impact of urban street tree species on air quality and respiratory illness: a spatial analysis of large-scale, high-resolution urban data. Health Place 56:80–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Lederbogen F et al (2011) City living and urban upbringing affect neural social stress processing in humans. Nature 474(7352):498–501

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin BB, Fuller RA, Bush R et al (2014) Opportunity or orientation? Who uses urban parks and why. PLoS One 9:e87422

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindemann-Matthies P, Bose E (2007) Species richness, structural diversity and species composition in meadows created by visitors of a botanical garden in Switzerland. Landsc Urban Plan 79:298–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Lumber R, Richardson M, Sheffield D (2017) Beyond knowing nature: contact, emotion, compassion, meaning, and beauty are pathways to nature connection. PLoS One 12(5):e0177186. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maas J, Spreeuwenberg P, van Winsum-Westra M et al (2009) Is green space in the living environment associated with people’s feelings of social safety? Environ Plan A 41:1763–1777

    Google Scholar 

  • Martens D, Gutscher H, Bauer N (2011) Walking in ‘wild’ and ‘tended’ forests: the impact on psychological well – being. J Environ Psychol 31:36–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer F, Frantz C (2004) The connectedness to nature scale: a measure of individuals feeling in community with nature. J Environ Psychol 24:503–515

    Google Scholar 

  • Nassauer JI (1995) Messy ecosystems, orderly frames. Landsc J 14:161–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman L, Dale A (2013) Celebrating the mundane: nature and the built environment. Environ Values 22(3):401–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen (2016) The Nielsen total audience report: Q1, 2016. http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/reports/2016/the-total-audience-report-q1-2016.html. Accessed 17th Apr 2019

  • Nieminen T, Martelin T, Koskinen S, Aro H, Alanen E, Hyyppä MT (2010) Social capital as a determinant of self-rated health and psychological well-being. Int J Public Health 55:531–542

    Google Scholar 

  • Nisbet EK, Zelenski JM, Murphy SA (2011) Happiness is in our nature: exploring nature relatedness as a contributor to subjective well-being. J Happiness Stud 12:303–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-010-9197-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olesen J, Gustavsson A, Svenssond M et al (2012) The economic cost of brain disorders in Europe. Eur J Neurol 19:155–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2018) Factsheet on promoting mental health http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/OECD-Factsheet-Mental-Health-Health-at-a-Glance-Europe-2018.pdf. Accessed 19 Mar 2019

  • Ozguner H, Kendle AD, Bisgrove RJ (2007) Attitudes of landscape professionals towards naturalistic versus formal urban landscapes in the UK. Landsc Urban Plan 81(1-2):34–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2006.10.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palliwoda J, Kowarik I, Von der Lippe M (2017) Human-biodiversity interactions in urban parks: the species level matters. Landsc Urban Plan 157:394–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.09.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • parkrun (2019) Parkrun countries. https://www.parkrun.com/countries/. Accessed 16 Apr 2019

  • Peen J, Schoevers RA, Beekman AT, Dekker J (2010) The current status of urban-rural differences in psychiatric disorders. Acta Psychiatr Scand 121(2):84–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Posner J, Russell JA, Peterson BS (2005) The circumplex model of affect: an integrative approach to affective neuroscience, cognitive development, and psychopathology. Dev Psychopathol 17:715–734

    Google Scholar 

  • Proctor JD (1998) The social construction of nature: relativist accusations, pragmatist and critical realist responses. Ann Assoc Am Geogr 88:352–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell TA, Peron E, Berto R (2001) Why do preferences differ between scene types? Environ Behav 33(1):93–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu L, Lindberg S, Nielsen AB, (2013) Is biodiversity attractive? – on-site perception of recreational and biodiversity values in urban greenspace. Landsc Urban Plan 119:136-146 Doi.org/: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.07.007

  • Rideout VJ (2013) Zero to eight: children’s media use in America 2013. Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/zero-to-eight-childrens-media-use-in-america-2013. Accessed 17 Apr 2019

  • Rishbeth C, Finney N (2006) Novelty and nostalgia in urban greenspace: refugee perspectives. Tijdschr Econ Soc Geogr 97(3):281–295

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson JM, Breed MF (2019) Green prescriptions and their co-benefits. Integrative strategies for public and environmental health. Challenges 10:9

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell JA (1980) A circumplex model of affect. J Pers Soc Psychol 39:1161–1178. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0077714

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scarborough P, Bhatnagar P, Wickramasingh KK et al (2011) The economic burden of ill health due to diet, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol and obesity in the UK: an update to 2006–07 NHS costs. J Public Health (Oxf) 33:527–535

    Google Scholar 

  • Schouten MGC (2005) Spiegel van de natuur: het natuurbeeld in cultuurhistorisch perspectief KNNV Uitgeverij, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Shafer EL, Brush RO (1977) How to measure preferences for photographs of natural landscapes. Landsc Plan 4:237–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Soga M, Gaston KJ (2016) Extinction of experience: the loss of human-nature interactions. Front Ecol Environ 14(2):94–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Southon GE, Jorgensen A, Dunnett N et al (2017) Biodiverse perennial meadows have aesthetic value and increase residents’ perceptions of site quality in urban green-space. Landsc Urban Plan 158:105–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Southon GE, Jorgensen A, Dunnett N et al (2018) Perceived species-richness in urban green spaces: cues, accuracy and wellbeing impacts. Landsc Urban Plan 172:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Sport England (2018) Figures show national activity levels https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-features/news/2018/march/22/figures-show-nations-activity-levels/. Accessed 5 Apr 2019

  • Staats H, Jahncke H, Herzog TR et al (2016) Urban options for psychological restoration: common strategies in everyday situations. PLoS One 11(1):e0146213. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0146213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strumse E (1996) Demographic differences in the visual preferences for agrarian landscapes in Western Norway. J Environ Psychol 116:17–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Todorova A, Asakawa S, Aikoh T (2004) Preferences for and attitudes towards street flowers and trees in Sapporo, Japan. Landsc Urban Plan 69:–403, 416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2003.11.001

  • Ulrich RS (1986) Human responses to vegetation and landscapes. Landsc Urban Plan 13:29–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-2046(86)90005-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (2018) Revision of world urbanisation prospects https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/2018-revision-of-world-urbanization-prospects.html. Accessed 14 Feb 2019

  • Van den Berg A, Jorgensen A, Wilson ER (2014) Evaluating restoration in urban green spaces: does setting type make a difference? Landsc Urban Plan 127:173–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.04.01

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White MP, Elliot LR, Taylor T et al (2016) Recreational physical activity in natural environments and implications for health: a population based cross-sectional study in England. Prev Med 91:383–388

    Google Scholar 

  • White MP, Pahla S, Wheeler BW et al (2017) Natural environments and subjective wellbeing: different types of exposure are associated with different aspects of wellbeing. Health Place 45:77–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson EO (1984) Biophilia. Harvard University Press, Cambridge Massachusetts

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelenski JM, Nisbet EK (2012) Happiness and feeling connected: the distinct role of nature relatedness. Environ Behav 46(1):3–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916512451901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng B, Zhang Y, Chen J (2011) Preference to home landscape: wildness or neatness? Landsc Urban Plan 99:1–8

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, UWE, Bristol, UK

    Helen Hoyle

Authors
  1. Helen Hoyle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helen Hoyle .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Nicola Dempsey

  2. Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Julian Dobson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Hoyle, H. (2020). What Is Urban Nature and How Do We Perceive It?. In: Dempsey, N., Dobson, J. (eds) Naturally Challenged: Contested Perceptions and Practices in Urban Green Spaces. Cities and Nature. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44480-8_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44480-8_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-44479-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-44480-8

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation