Reciprocal Relations Between Urban Vegetation and Human Perception in Urban Green Landscapes

Technical Summary: Reciprocal Relations Between Urban Vegetation and Human Perception in Urban Green Landscapes

Problem Statement
Despite the recognized role of urban green spaces in supporting human well-being, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, the design and management of these landscapes often proceed without fully integrating public perceptions and preferences. While the European Landscape Convention emphasizes people's perceptions as central to planning, empirical research specifically addressing men's attitudes toward plant species diversity in urban parks remains scarce. Furthermore, there is a need to understand how cognitive recognition of plant origins (native, semi-native, and non-native) influences visual preferences in the context of rapid urbanization in middle-income countries like Iran. This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding how men's socio-demographic backgrounds and cognitive familiarity shape their preferences for diverse vegetation in the urban parks of Tabriz, Iran.

Methodology
The study employed a quantitative, visual-based survey approach conducted in Tabriz, Iran, focusing on two prominent urban green spaces: El Goli Park and Baghmisheh Forest Park.

• Participants: The target population consisted of male park users over 20 years of age with basic environmental awareness. Using the Mitra–Lankford sampling method to minimize bias, a sample size of 200 men was determined (initially calculated as 178, increased for reliability). Participants were selected via systematic sampling (every 10th visitor) during peak visiting hours over a five-week period in May and July 2024.
• Instrument: A structured visual questionnaire was administered. It included:
  1. Demographic Section: Collecting data on marital status, age, education, occupation, income, and place of birth.
  2. Visual Stimuli: 72 high-quality images representing 24 plant species across four categories: trees, shrubs, bushes/sub-shrubs, and flowers. Each category contained six native, six semi-native, and six non-native species, selected based on ecological significance and compatibility with Tabriz's climate.
  3. Preference Measurement: Respondents rated their preference for each image using a five-point Likert scale.
• Data Analysis: Data were processed using SPSS version 26. Analytical techniques included descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, standard deviations), reliability assessment via Cronbach's alpha, and Pearson correlation tests to examine the relationship between plant recognition (knowledge of origin) and landscape preference.

Key Results

• Demographic Profile: The sample was predominantly single (54.5%), aged 20–30 (55.5%), held bachelor's degrees (54%), and was primarily self-employed (36.5%). The majority were urban-born (89%).
• Preference Hierarchy:
  • Plant Type: Participants showed the strongest overall preference for flowers (Mean = 3.89), followed by trees (3.65), shrubs/bushes (3.58), and general shrubs (3.44).
  • Origin: Native and semi-native species were generally preferred over non-native species. However, specific non-native trees (e.g., Red Maple, Indian Chestnut) received high ratings, while non-native shrubs were the least preferred group overall.
  • Top Species: The most favored species included the Red Maple (non-native tree), Indian Chestnut (non-native tree), Cluster Jasmine (native shrub), Paper Flower Shrub (semi-native), Pomegranate Bush (native), and Lilies (semi-native flower).
  • Least Favored: Non-native shrubs (e.g., Mahor, Eskabil, Natark) and specific native/non-native trees like the "side" and "elder" trees received the lowest preference scores.
• Cognitive Correlation: A significant positive correlation was found between the level of plant recognition (familiarity with native and semi-native origins) and preference across all categories (Pearson correlations ranging from 0.678 to 0.849, all p < 0.001). This indicates that familiarity strongly enhances visual preference.

Key Contributions

• Gender-Specific Insights: The study provides rare empirical data specifically on men's landscape preferences, challenging the assumption that general public preferences apply uniformly across genders.
• Cognitive-Preference Link: It empirically validates the theoretical framework that cognitive recognition and familiarity are decisive factors in shaping landscape preferences, confirming that men's preferences in Tabriz are closely linked to their ability to identify and recognize plant species.
• Design Guidance: The research offers specific, data-driven recommendations for urban planting in Tabriz, suggesting that integrating native and semi-native species—particularly flowers and specific trees—aligns with public taste and can enhance park attractiveness.

Significance and Claims
The paper claims that understanding user preferences is a necessary component of contemporary park planning, particularly in rapidly urbanizing contexts. The authors posit that incorporating perceptual and cognitive factors into urban planting design is essential for improving the ecological, aesthetic, and social value of green spaces.

The study concludes that men possess the capacity to recognize plant species characteristic of their environment and that this recognition directly influences their satisfaction. Therefore, the authors argue that landscape designers and planners should move beyond expert-only knowledge to integrate public perceptual data. By aligning planting schemes with the demonstrated preference for native and semi-native vegetation (especially flowers), urban parks can better serve their function as spaces for social cohesion, mental restoration, and physical activity. The findings suggest that a blend of native and semi-native trees, non-native shrubs (where preferred), and diverse flowers constitutes an optimal strategy for enhancing the quality of urban landscapes in Tabriz.

Limitations
The authors modestly acknowledge that the study is limited to a subset of plant species in Tabriz and cannot be generalized to all cities without contextual adjustment. Additionally, the low participation of men over 60 years old and restricted institutional support limited the breadth of the demographic and logistical scope.