Biodiversity, Perceived Restorativeness, and Benefits of Nature: A Study on the Psychological Processes and Outcomes of On-Site Experiences in Urban and Peri-Urban Green Areas in Italy

Research on restorative environments has frequently showed a more positive impact of natural vs. built environments on human well being. However, the restorative potential of different typologies of nature has been less investigated. A still open issue is the role of biodiversity in the restoration process. This study compared five typologies of urban green spaces possessing increasing levels of biodiversity: An urban plaza with green elements, an urban park, a pinewood, a botanical garden, and a peri-urban natural area. One hundred and twenty-five residents of Padua, Italy, filled in a questionnaire that measured length and frequency of visits to the green spaces, activities performed there, perceived restorativeness, and affective qualities of the place, self-reported benefits of the visit. Results showed a positive relation between biodiversity in the settings, perceived restorative properties, and self-reported benefits. Perceived restorativeness and affective qualities also mediate the relation between exposure to nature and self-reported benefits. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.