Search

Window views can enable restorativeness. Previous studies define characteristics of natural environment that trigger restorativeness, but fewer studies are dealing with restorative characteristics of urban environment. The purpose of this study is to identify qualities that enable restorativeness in natural and urban window views. Using a questionnaire survey as a method for obtaining the research data, responses of architectural students are analysed. To identify restorative potential in window views evaluation method according to Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory (ART) is used. Additional evaluation method for urban views is applied using Lynch’s theory of designing urban space that people can enjoy. Our findings show that urban views can be analysed according to Lynch’s visual qualities to identify the restorative potential of urban environments. Our findings also show that Lynch’s criteria may coincide with Kaplan’s criteria for assessing restorativeness. To define restorative potential in urban views in an early design phase, new evaluation methods are needed to transcend the renowned Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory into more approachable design mechanisms for designers and decision makers. Well-being of the inhabitants in a future dense urban environment will only be provided with an adequate window view.

Window views can enable restorativeness. Previous studies define characteristics of natural environment that trigger restorativeness, but fewer studies are dealing with restorative characteristics of urban environment. The purpose of this study is to identify qualities that enable restorativeness in natural and urban window views. Using a questionnaire survey as a method for obtaining the research data, responses of architectural students are analysed. To identify restorative potential in window views evaluation method according to Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory (ART) is used. Additional evaluation method for urban views is applied using Lynch's theory of designing urban space that people can enjoy. Our findings show that urban views can be analysed according to Lynch's visual qualities to identify the restorative potential of urban environments. Our findings also show that Lynch's criteria may coincide with Kaplan's criteria for assessing restorativeness. To define restorative potential in urban views in an early design phase, new evaluation methods are needed to transcend the renowned Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory into more approachable design mechanisms for designers and decision makers. Well-being of the inhabitants in a future dense urban environment will only be provided with an adequate window view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of a city is considered a part of citizens' image of the city as well as its identity and history since formation of ev-ery city. City natural elements are the sym-bols which offer citizens public memories and help maintaining the concept of city. The influ-ence of nature in creating a sense of place is quite undeniable and human beings always feel belonged to spaces blended with nature. This interest of being connected to nature has long been in Iranian culture as well. Natural elements as milestones which create shared memories have a special and strategic impor-tance. Not only the close relationship of citizens with natural factors has a special importance in the improvement of quality of life, but also it has a significant role in city legibility and citi-zens' affiliation to their own city. Tehran city has a considerable potential in highlighting natural landmarks since it is located on the Alborz foot-hills. The question this article tries to answer is how to manage Tehran natural elements and symbols in order to achieve major landscape goals to vreate legibility, identity and aesthetics of cities with the help of the similar experiences obtained in Kyoto city. At least in four chapters of the seven chapters of the Kyoto landscape policy, maximum attention is paid to the urban landscape related to the natural landscape. The corridors to natural landscape must be identi-fied in Tehran city. Landscape rules should be enacted for the buildings in these perspectives in order to get interesting landscapes and fa-vorable places for citizens and tourists. Eventu-ally these places can be converted to indicated points and places for the leisure times which will produce public memories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]