Restorative effects of small urban parks: a multi-method study using eye-tracking and psychophysiological measures in...

Rapid urbanization has intensified psychological stress among urban residents. As highly accessible forms of urban green space, small urban parks play a vital role in fostering psychological resilience and restorative experiences. However, in high-density cities such as Fuzhou, the underlying restorative mechanisms of different types of small parks-along with the moderating effects of gender and specific landscape elements-remain insufficiently understood.

This study adopted a multi-method approach, incorporating psychological assessment via the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), eye-tracking techniques, and physiological measurements including skin conductance level (SCL) and the low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio of heart rate variability. A total of 55 participants from Fuzhou were exposed to four distinct types of small urban parks-pocket parks, linear waterfront parks, community parks, and small comprehensive parks-to evaluate their restorative outcomes.

Both park type and gender exerted significant effects on restorative perceptions and physiological responses (p < 0.001). Small comprehensive parks achieved the highest PRS scores in the dimensions of being away, fascination, and compatibility, while presenting the lowest SCL and LF/HF ratios, indicative of the strongest overall restorative effects. Female participants reported higher perceived restorativeness and exhibited lower SCL values compared with male participants. The proportion of gaze fixation on vegetation was identified as the most salient positive predictor of both restorative experience and physiological relaxation. Conversely, fixation on artificial facilities and the sky showed negative predictive relationships in certain park types, while water features and traditional architectural elements displayed context-dependent positive influences.

The restorative effects of small urban parks are jointly influenced by park type, gender, and landscape elements. Small comprehensive parks demonstrated superior performance-primarily due to their diverse and integrated natural landscapes-whereas linear waterfront parks were particularly effective in physiological regulation. Pocket parks and community parks provided comparatively weaker restorative effects, likely constrained by limited amenities and spatial configurations. Females were more sensitive to psychological perceptions (e.g., "being away," "fascination") and physiological responses. Natural elements (e.g., multi-layered vegetation, water bodies) served as core drivers of stable restoration, whereas the role of artificial facilities was context-dependent: traditional architecture enhanced cultural identity, while dense modern facilities potentially increased cognitive load.