The role of greenness and road traffic noise for psychological restoration in everyday environments. A participatory mapping approach

Abstract

Greenness and noise are important environmental determinants of human health. The rapid urbanization and population growth have intensified the densification of urban environments, escalating traffic noise and the depletion of green spaces.

Our study aims to explore the role of greenness as a facilitator and noise exposure as an impediment to psychological restoration in people’s daily environments, examining the interplay between environmental factors, individual perceptions, and personal traits.

We employ a conceptual model where the effects of road traffic noise and greenness on restoration are mediated by perceived landscape factors and moderated by personal traits. We collected data through an online participatory survey of about 1500 Swiss respondents. Respondents were asked to indicate the level of restoration they obtained from looking out of their window at home and from their last restorative outdoor activity. Our analysis combines biophysical and acoustical georeferenced data with perceived survey data and uses multiple mediation analysis technics, i.e., structural equation modelling.

Results indicate that greenness and traffic noise exposure are only marginally linked to psychological restoration outcomes. However, they are strongly associated with perceived landscape aspects, such as the feeling of being in nature and noise annoyance, which in turn are linked to these outcomes. Personal traits, including connectedness with nature and stress levels, also play a critical role in shaping restoration outcomes.

Our study highlights the complex dynamics between environmental factors, personal perceptions, and restoration outcomes, emphasizing the pivotal role of perceived feeling of being in nature and personal traits in psychological restoration.