Affect, Cognition, and Urban Vegetation

Two studies explored cognitive and affective reactions to vegetation in urban settings. In Study 1, subjects viewed a line drawing of an urban street with or without the presence of vegetation (trees & shrubs). The addition of vegetation affected subjects' cognitions about the quality of life in the area as well as about the land-use of the area. Subjects also reported higher levels of positive affect when they viewed a tree-lined city street. In Study 2, subjects viewed slides taken before or after vegetation was added along a thoroughfare in a suburb of a large metropolitan area. Again vegetation affected perceptions of the quality of life in the area, the local land-use, and self-reported emotional responses to the setting. The results suggest that the impacts of vegetation are largely affective, but cognitions, particularly about the quality of life in an area are also influenced by its presence. This pattern of results did not enable us to ascertain the evolutionary or cultural origins of people's responses.