Neuroscience for Designing Green Spaces: Contemplative Landscapes

Description

Urban parks and gardens are where people go to reconnect with nature and destress. But do they all provide the same benefits or are some better than others? What specific attributes set some green spaces apart? Can we objectively measure their impact on mental health and well-being? If so, how do we use this evidence to guide the design of mentally healthy cities? The Contemplative Landscape Model unveils the path to answer these questions. Rooted in landscape architecture and neuroscience, this innovative concept is described for the first time in an extended format, offering a deep dive into contemplative design and the science behind it. In the face of the global mental health crisis, and increasing disconnection from nature, design strategies for creating healthier urban environments are what our cities so sorely need. This book delves into the neuroscience behind contemplative landscapes, their key spatial characteristics, and practical applications of the Contemplative Landscape Model through case studies from around the world. Landscape architects, urban planners, students, land managers, and anyone interested in unlocking the healing power of landscapes will find inspiration here. Cover Half Title Endorsements Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of figures List of tables Preface Acknowledgements Introduction 0.1 Failures of landscape architecture and urban planning 0.2 Gaps in knowledge and misconceptions 0.3 Contemplative Landscape Model and its relationship with existing frameworks Part 1 Science behind the contemplative landscapes 1 Therapeutic mechanisms of urban green spaces 1.1 Urbanicity aspects behind mental health deterioration 1.2 The solution is in nature . . . but what nature? 2 Brain response to contemplative landscapes and mental health implications 2.1 Contemplation vs. landscape contemplation –a health-benefitting mechanism 2.2 Brain science for design disciplines 2.3 What do we know about the brain’s reaction to contemplative landscapes? 2.4 Neuroscience – a designer’s muse 3 How to benefit the most from contemplative landscape exposure 3.1 Who can benefit? 3.2 Which exposure conditions unlock the benefits? 3.3 New mission for landscape architects Part 2 Contemplative landscape features 4 Character of Peace and Silence 4.1 Reorientation 4.2 Rest and relaxation 4.3 Silence and solitude 4.4 Safety and no technology 5 Compatibility 5.1 Harmony and spatial order 5.2 Balance between wild and tamed 5.3 Inward space orientation 5.4 Artistic expression 6 Layers of the Landscape 6.1 Three distance zones in the landscape 6.2 Psychological comfort of looking afar 7 Landform 7.1 Looking up towards the sky 7.2 Mounds and natural topography 8 Biodiversity 8.1 Wild and plentiful lifeforms 8.2 Geometric vs. naturalistic planting 8.3 Human-animal relations in cities 9 Color and Light 9.1 Calm color palette 9.2 Lively play of light and shadow 10 Archetypal Elements 10.1 Forest, path, and clearing 10.2 Desert 10.3 Water 10.4 Single old tree 10.5 Stone/rock 10.6 Mountain/hill 10.7 Circle Part 3 Existing and future approaches 11 How to design contemplative landscapes: best practices and case examples 11.1 Traditions of contemplation: Saihō-ji, Kyoto, Japan 11.2 Maximizing reorientation: NYC High Line Park, USA 11.3 Large-scale city park for contemplation: Parque da Cidade do Porto, Portugal 11.4 Contemplation of life and death: Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne, Australia 11.5 Oasis that heals: the Therapeutic Garden @ HortPark, Singapore 11.6 Meeting with the archetypes: Bloedel Reserve, Seattle, USA 11.7 Indoor landscape of contemplation: Jewel at Changi Airport, Singapore 12 How to identify contemplative landscapes: CLM user’s manual 12.1 Before scoring . . . 12.2 Step-by-step scoring with CLM 12.3 Calculate and interpret the score 13 A vision of a mentally healthy city 13.1 Vision of a city for nature contemplation 13.2 New legislation 13.3 New research approaches Appendix: Contemplative Landscape Model – printable worksheet Index