- 期刊
- OpenAccess
RESTORATIVE GARDEN DESIGN: Enhancing wellness through healing spaces
並列摘要
Creating gardens as places for restoration of good health and wellness has been observed throughout history, from ancient times up through the present. Current research from a variety of academic disciplines reveals that contact with nature provides stress reduction, which in turn leads to improved health outcomes. This research leads to additional questions—what kind of contact with nature? How much? Are there certain types of plants which are more therapeutic than others? A look at the existing knowledge base reveals a complexity of variables which prohibits a formulaic approach to garden design for best health outcomes. However, careful study of the field reveals factors of garden design which should be considered in order to achieve maximum restoration for garden users. Gardens which are designed for stress relief have four primary considerations embedded in the design: social support for garden users; provision of privacy and control; opportunity for physical activity and movement; and provision of nature elements. Universal design, which provides accessibility to the greatest possible range of garden users, should also be a consideration of any restorative garden space. Furthermore, landscape architects and other garden designers must design for the users and the anticipated uses of the garden. Gardens in healthcare settings have three primary user groups — patients, staff, and visitors. The needs of each must be considered in the garden design. Garden designers must be aware of specialized needs of garden users. A garden which is designed for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments will have very different design requirements from a garden designed for patients recovering from joint replacement surgery. A garden designed for a hospice setting will have a totally different set of design requirements altogether. In addition, it is critically important that the garden designer consult the therapists who will use the garden space for patient activities. Bringing together the expertise of therapist and garden designer yields tremendous value to the garden design. A landmark study which looks at where people choose to go when stressed is examined, and new versions of the same survey are reviewed. Results of the new surveys are puzzling, and yield new questions. Suggestions for new areas of research are also given.