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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.

Background: Natural views are an important design strategy for the application of ecological resources in built environments. Numerous clinical studies have indicated that views of nature—for example, plants—can effectively promote patient recovery by relieving their postoperative pains and negative emotions during hospitalization. Aims: This study demonstrates an intelligent method that develops algorithms of using collision detection techniques in Building Information Modeling to evaluate outdoor plant visibility for patients. Methods: These algorithms are digitized into a Revit plug-in program, which can be viewed as a design-aided tool for architects with the purpose of informing healthcare environment design in the decision-making process. Results: Its acceptability and effectiveness are evaluated based on the consultations in beta tests. Conclusions: It is believed that this method can improve the work efficiency of evaluating natural views in wards and help architects implement an informed design of built environments for better health performance. All findings in this study can contribute to the development of computational intelligence and social sustainability in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 paper discusses the concept of rule and its role in understanding and defining social facts. On the background of the main objections against Winch's conception of rule as the necessary and sufficient means for identifying a social phenomenon (M. Hollis, J. Bohmann. M. Gilbert) it questions the analogy between the linguistic activity, the Wittgensteinian conception of meaning and conceiving of agency as a meaningful social activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Produced in China’s physical environment, traditional Chinese residential architecture is restrained by social factors and adapts itself to the natural economy. Physical geographical environment does not solely shape architectural styles. However, in the self-sufficient economy era, it deeply influenced the culture of traditional Chinese residential architecture. This thesis discusses regional influence of climate on the spatial patterns and styles of residential architecture; it also analyzes the influence of landforms and water systems on architectural landscapes and local housing selections. Geology and botany play another important role in forming local features and improving microenvironment around builidings. With the comprehensive effects of all elements that take climate as the key one, architectural styles differ evidently in various regions. On the above basis, analysis is made to find the view of nature of traditional residential architecture culture with the connotative views of utility, aesthetic perception and ecology. By analyzing the effects of physical geographical factors on China’s residential architecture and exploring the natural view in its cultural and spiritual aspects, some enlightenment may be gained to protect ecological environment and realize harmony among man, architecture and environment, thus developing the culture of modern residential architecture with local flavor and characteristics. [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]