Urban environmental restoration: transdisciplinary research about nearby urban nature from environmental psychology

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70207/qw70yp74

Keywords:

Urban environmental restoration, nearby urban nature , transdisciplinary research , qualitative methodologies , environmental psychology

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of nearby urban nature in the configuration of contemporary cities, emphasizing how qualitative tools from environmental psychology provide interpretative and analytical insights for both design and research practices in architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture. Through a theoretical-narrative approach, the main conceptual frameworks of environmental restoration theories are critically reviewed and articulated with qualitative research methodologies. The adopted method consists of an integrated theoretical review, with a focus on recent qualitative studies that reveal how subjective experiences, symbolic appropriation, and participatory processes—related to the characteristics of designed environments—influence the restorative effectiveness of urban green spaces. The article thus proposes a transdisciplinary conceptual foundation to support a design praxis that is sensitive, inclusive, and contextually grounded.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Akpinar, A. (2021). How perceived sensory dimensions of urban green spaces are associated with teenagers’ perceived restoration, stress, and mental health?. Landscape and urban planning, 214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104185

Aleksandrowicz, O., & Pearlmutter, D. (2023). The significance of shade provision in reducing street-level summer heat stress in a hot Mediterranean climate. Landscape and urban planning, 229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104588

Bachelard, G. (2014). The poetics of space. Penguin.

Beatley, T. (2017). Handbook of biophilic city planning and design. Island Press.

Canter, D. (2024). The psychology of place En: D. Canter. (Ed.), Readings on the psychology of place. Selected works of David Canter. (1ed., pp. 70-76). Routledge.

Castro, B. (2021). Infraestructura verde urbana I: Retos, oportunidades y manual de buenas prácticas. Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. https://doi.org/10.18235/0003748

Centro Transdisciplinar Universitario para la Sustentabilidad. (2020, septiembre 30). En ocho años, CDMX perdió 18.7 km² de áreas verdes. [Comunicado de prensa]. Universidad Iberoamericana. https://ibero.mx/prensa/estudio-en-ocho-anos-cdmx-perdio-187-km2-de-areas-verdes-centrus

Churchman, A. (2002). Environmental psychology and urban planning: Where can the twain meet?. En: R. Bechtel, & A. Churchman. (Eds.), Handbook of environmental psychology. (1ed., pp. 191-202). Wiley.

Clément, G. (2018). Manifiesto del tercer paisaje. Gustavo Gili.

Collado, S., Staats, H., Corraliza, J. & Hartig, T. (2017). Restorative environments and health. En: G. Fleury-Bahi, E. Pol, & O. Navarro. (Eds.), Handbook of environmental psychology and quality of life research. (1ed., pp. 127-148). Springer.

Coreno, V., & Villalpando-Flores, A. (2013). Diseño participativo y factores socioambientales determinantes en la participación comunitaria. MEC-

EDUPAZ,4(2). 4-25. https://www.revistas.unam.mx/index.php/mecedupaz/article/view/41921

Elsadek, M., Yinan, L., Makvandi, M., & Deshun, Z. (2024). Seasonal influence of sakura trees on human health: evidence from physiological and psychological responses. Environment and behavior, 56(7-8). 614-648. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165241305895

Frampton, K. (2020). Teoría. Gustavo Gili.

Gifford, R. (2014). Environmental psychology matters. Annual review of psychology, 65(17). 1-39. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115048

Haken, H., & Portugali, J. (2003). The face of the city is its information. Journal of environmental psychology, 23(4). 385–408. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(03)00003-3

Hardwicke, J., Hill, K., & Ryan, D. (2024). Finding your way: exploring urban park users’ engagement with a wayfinding intervention through intercept go-along interviews. Cities & health, 8(6). 1003–1016. https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2024.2313307

Hartig, T. (2007). Three steps to understanding restorative environments as health resources. En: C. Ward, & P. Travlou. (Eds.), Open space: People space (1ed., pp. 163–179). Routledge.

Hartig, T. (2021). Restoration in nature: beyond the conventional narrative. En: A. Schutte, J. Torquati, & J. Stevens. (Eds.), Nature and psychology. Biological, cognitive, developmental, and social pathways to well-being. (1ed., pp. 89-151). Springer.

Hartig, T., & Staats, H. (2006). The need for psychological restoration as a determinant of environmental preferences. Journal of environmental psychology, 26(2). 215‐226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2006.07.007

Hartig, T., Bringslimark, T., & Patil, G. (2008). Restorative environmental design: What, when, where, and for whom?. En: S. Kellert, J. Heerwagen, & M. Mador. (Eds.), Biophilic design: The theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. (1ed., pp. 133–151). Wiley.

Holl, S. (2018). Cuestiones de percepción. Fenomenología de la arquitectura. Gustavo Gili.

Instituto de Soluciones Basadas en la Naturaleza. (2025). The 3-30-300 handbook: A practical guide for urban greening and nature-based health. Yggdrasil. The Living Nordic City.

Íñiguez, L., & Vivas, J. (1997). Reflexiones teórico-metodológicas sobre la intervención medio-ambiental. Papeles del psicólogo, (67). 28–34. https://www.papelesdelpsicologo.es/resumen?pii=747

Jacobs, J. (2013). Muertes y vida de las grandes ciudades. Capitán Swing.

Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of environmental psychology, 15(3). 169‐182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2

Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature. A psychological perspective. Cambridge University Press.

Khalilollahi, A., Kasraian, D., Kemperman, A., & Van Wesemael, P. (2024). Interactive playgrounds and children’s outdoor play behavior: children’s perspectives. Environment & behavior, 55(8–10), 637–667. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165241245815

Lefebvre, H. (2013). La producción del espacio. Capitán Swing.

Lewicka, M., Rowiński, K., Iwańczak, B., Bałaj, B., Kula, A., Oleksy, T., & Prusik, M. (2019). On the essentialism of places: Between conservative and progressive meanings. Journal of environmental psychology, 65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101318

Lloyd, S., & Gifford, R. (2024). Qualitative research and the future of environmental psychology. Journal of environmental psychology, 97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102347

Lynch, K. (2016). La Imagen de la Ciudad. Gustavo Gili.

Menatti, L., Subiza-Pérez, M., Villalpando-Flores, A., Vozmediano, L., & San Juan, C. (2019). Place attachment and identification as predictor of expected landscape restorativeness. Journal of environmental psychology, 63(1), 36-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.03.005

Millán-Otero, K., & Sierra-Barón, W. (2022). Tendencias de investigación en psicología ambiental. Una revisión sistemática cualitativa (2009–2020). En: W. Sierra-Barón, K. Millán-Otero, & Ó. Navarro. (Eds.), Psicología ambiental Vol. 2. Experiencias diálogos y perspectivas de investigación. (1ed., pp. 64-85). ASCOFAPSI.

Moser, G. (2012). Cities. En: S. Clayton. (Edit.), The oxford handbook of environmental and conservation psychology. (1ed., pp. 1-21). Oxford University Press.

Nasar, J. (2011). Environmental psychology and urban design. En: T. Banerjee, & A. Loukaitou-Sideris. (Eds.), Companion tu urban design. (1ed., pp. 162-174). Routledge.

Norberg-Schulz, C. (2005). Intenciones en arquitectura. Gustavo Gili.

Olivos, P., & Clayton, S. (2017). Self, nature and well-being: Sense of connectedness and environmental identity for quality of life. En: G. Fleury-Bahi, E. Pol, & O. Navarro. (Eds.), Handbook of environmental psychology and quality of life research. (1ed., pp. 107-126). Springer.

Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2016). Urban green spaces and health: A review of evidence. WHO Regional Office for Europe. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/345751

Organización de las Naciones Unidas. (2016). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

Pallasmaa, J. (2022). Los ojos de la piel. La arquitectura y los sentidos. Gustavo Gili.

Passmore, H. A., & Holder, M. D. (2016). Noticing nature: Individual and social benefits of a two-week intervention. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(6), 537–546. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1221126

Pike, K., Nesbitt, L., Sax, D., Quinton, J., Konijnendijk, C., Day, S., Conway, T., & Grant, A. Pathways towards equity: Solutions-focused workshops with urban greening professionals. Landscape and urban planning, 205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2025.105437

Rafiei, S., & Gifford, R. (2023). The meaning of the built environment: A comprehensive model based on users traversing their university campus. Journal of environmental psychology, 87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.101975

Rapoport, A. (1978). Human aspects of urban form: towards a man environment approach to urban form and design. Pergamon.

Richard, I. (2023). Renaturation. En: D. Marchand, E. Pol, & K. Weiss. (Eds.), 100 Key concepts in environmental psychology. (1ed., pp. 110-112). Routledge.

Roe, J., & McCay, L. (2021). Restorative cities. Urban design for mental health and wellbeing. Bloomsbury Visual Arts.

Schertz, K., Meidenbauer, K., Freeman, T., Santiago, I., Janey, E., Gehrke, K.,

Samtani, A., Stier, A., & Berman, M. (2025). Identifying qualities and amenities associated with subjective cognitive restoration and improved affect in urban parks. Journal of environmental psychology, 104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102624

Shrestha, T., Cassarino, M., Foley, S., & Di Blasi, Z. (2025). The natural world around me: A qualitative exploration of young people’s relationship to nature and how it relates to their wellbeing and sentiment of pro-environmental behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102556

Schroeder, H. (2007). Place experience, gestalt, and the human–nature relationship. Journal of environmental psychology, 27(4). 293–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.07.001

Seamon, D. & Gill, H. (2016). Qualitative approaches to environment-behavior research: understanding environmental and place experiences, meanings, and actions. En: R. Gifford. (Ed.), Research methods for environmenal psychology. (1ed., pp. 115-136).Wiley.

Secretaría del Medio Ambiente de la Ciudad de México. (2017). Inventario de áreas verdes urbanas de la Ciudad de México. https://www.sedema.cdmx.gob.mx/storage/app/media/InventarioAVU_2017.pdf

Secretaría del Medio Ambiente de la Ciudad de México. (2024, febrero 18). Continúa SEDEMA revegetación de la Ciudad de México. [Comunicado de prensa]. https://www.sedema.cdmx.gob.mx/comunicacion/nota/continua-sedema-revegetacion-de-la-ciudad-de-mexico-con-bardas-vivas#:~:text=De%202019%20a%20la%20fecha,americano%20y%20la%20zorra%20gris.

Staats, H. (2023). Nature, a psychological perspective. En: D. Marchand, E. Pol, & K. Weiss. (Eds.), 100 Key concepts in environmental psychology. (1ed., pp. 87-90). Routledge.

Sullivan, C. (2010). Theory and method in qualitative research. En: M. Forrester. (Ed.), Doing qualitative research in psychology. (1ed., pp. 15–38). Sage.

Tabassum, M. (2024). Understanding urban green spaces through lenses of sensory experience: a case study of neighborhood parks in Dhaka city. The Senses and Society, 20(1), 62–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/17458927.2024.2392960

Ulrich, R. (1983). Aesthetic and Affective Response to Natural Environment. En: I. Altman & J. Wohlwill. (Eds.), Human behavior and Environment: Advances in theory and research. Vol. 6. Behavior and natural environment. (1ed., pp. 85-125). Plenum Press.

Ulrich, R., Simons, R., Losito, B., Fiorito, E., Miles, M., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of environmental psychology, 11(3). 201–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7

Valadez, A., & Landa, P. (2010). Investigaciones cualitativas en el ámbito de la psicología ambiental: Una revisión bibliográfica. Revista electrónica de psicología Iztacala, 5(2). https://www.revistas.unam.mx/index.php/repi/article/view/22666

Veitch, J., Flowers, E., Ball, K., Deforche, B., & Timperio, A. (2020). Designing parks for older adults: A qualitative study using walk-along interviews. Urban forestry & urban greening, 54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126768

Villalpando-Flores, A. (2022). Naturaleza urbana próxima y sostenibilidad psicológica. Impacto del diseño urbano-paisajístico de espacios públicos verdes en la restauración ambiental y conductas proecológicas. En: J. Bautista, & J. Delgado. (Coords.), Recuperar la ciudad hoy. Modelos urbanos: cuidados, salud, educación, bienestar y ocio. (1ed., pp. 143-164). UNAM. Coordinación de Humanidades. PUEC.

Villalpando-Flores, A. (2023a). Psicología ambiental urbana. Una mirada a la ciudad contemporánea. Yeiyá, 3(2). 261-272. https://doi.org/10.33182/y.v3i2.2889

Villalpando-Flores, A. (2023b). La transdisciplina en la enseñanza del urbanismo. Aportaciones y retos de la psicología ambiental. Bitácora urbano territorial, 33(1), 211-224. https://doi.org/10.15446/bitacora.v33n1.104382

Villalpando-Flores, A. (2025). Diseño urbano-paisajístico, habitabilidad y restauración ambiental de la naturaleza urbana próxima. En: W. Sierra, K. Millán, I, Gómez, y O. Navarro. (Eds.), Psicología ambiental: contextos de aplicación, competencias profesionales y perfiles ocupacionales. Universidad Surcolombiana. CIDESSO

Villalpando-Flores, A. (2025). Psicología ambiental del tercer paisaje: propiedades colativas y restauradoras del diseño urbano. Quivera Revista de estudios territoriales, 27(2), 99-128. https://doi.org/10.36677/qret.v27i2.26193

Villalpando-Flores, A., & Bustos-Aguayo, J. (2023). La naturaleza urbana en las ciudades contemporáneas. La importancia del diseño biofílico en la salud pública. Academia XXII, 14(28), 8-29. https://doi.org/10.22201/fa.2007252Xp.2023.14.28.87234

Villalpando-Flores, A., & Bustos-Aguayo, J. (2024a). Naturaleza urbana habitable y su relación con las transacciones ambientales y actividades restauradoras. Revista electrónica de psicología de la FES Zaragoza, 14(28), 29-38. https://www.zaragoza.unam.mx/rep/

Villalpando-Flores, A., & Bustos-Aguayo, J. (2024b). La Ciudad restauradora. Una propuesta desde la psicología ambiental urbana. Debates en sociología, 59(1), 195-211. https://doi.org/10.18800/debatesensociologia.202402.008

Villalpando-Flores, A., Terán-Álvarez del Rey, A., & Bustos-Aguayo, J. (2025). Implicaciones urbanas, socioambientales y psicológicas de los ambientes restauradores urbanos. En J. Gasca, & V. Mendoza (Coords.), Derecho a la ciudad, derecho a la vida. Interacciones, aproximaciones y perspectivas. (1ed., pp. 210-243). UNAM. PUEC.

Wang, D. (2016). Cognitive Design Thinking and Research in Design and Practice: Evidence-based Design. En: M. Kanaani, & D. Kopec. (Eds.), The Routledge companion for architecture design and practice. (1ed., pp. 45-60). Routledge.

Wolch, J., Byrne, J., & Newell, J. (2014). Urban green space, public health, and environmental justice: The challenge of making cities ‘just green enough’. Landscape and urban planning, 125. 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.01.017

Wu, J., Luo, W., Yu, W., Lin, R., & Bi, W. (2025). Public participation in urban park co‐construction: A case study on exploring sustainable design paths for county cities in Kaiyuan County, Yunnan Province. Buildings, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111856

Yang, Y., Wang, L., Passmore, H., Zhang, J., Zhu, L., & Cai, H. (2020). Viewing nature scenes reduces the pain of social ostracism. The journal of social psychology, 161(2).197–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2020.1784826

Zimring, G. (1986). Evaluation of design environments: Methods for post-occupancy evaluation. En: R. Bechtel, R. Marans & W. Michelson. (Coords.), Methods in environmental and behavioral research. (1ed., pp. 270-300). Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Zou, Y. (2025). A study on urban park design from the perspective of environmental perception: Exploring future landscapes to enhance well-being and social inclusion for vulnerable groups. Applied and computational engineering, 122.71–76. https://doi.org/10.54254/2755-2721/2025.19603

Zumthor, P. (2014). Pensar la arquitectura. Gustavo Gili.

Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

Villalpando-Flores, A. E. (2025). Urban environmental restoration: transdisciplinary research about nearby urban nature from environmental psychology. URBEāctĭo, 2(3), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.70207/qw70yp74