Therapeutic Spatial Improvement through Landscape Planting Design and Mural Art at the Siirt Deniz Yıldızı Rehabilitation Center

Spatial arrangements that support the psychosocial well-being of users in rehabilitation centers have become a significant research focus in both health and landscape architecture fields in recent years. Therapeutic environments that integrate natural elements with artistic interventions offer multifaceted contributions to the emotional, cognitive, and social development of individuals with special needs. This study examines an interior wall mural and an exterior planting design implemented at the Siirt Deniz Yıldızı Special Education and Rehabilitation Center. Artistic applications such as handprints and tree motifs created with the participation of children have enhanced user engagement and strengthened their sense of belonging to the space. In the proposed planting design for the outdoor area, low-maintenance, aromatic, and sensory plant species were selected to create a sustainable and therapeutic garden model. The findings indicate that spatial arrangements designed to improve the physical environment of rehabilitation settings can effectively support children’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. It is recommended that such practices be used as models and widely implemented to promote inclusive and supportive design approaches in special education environments.