The urban landscape supporting psychological restoration A case study of the University of Baghdad-

Abstract

The relationship between humans and nature has been deeply rooted since ancient times, embodying the concept of Biophilia—the innate affinity towards nature. The presence of restorative landscape features and restorative experiences of natural elements offers opportunities for relaxation and recovery from stress.

This paper aims to explore the concepts and approaches that enhance the restorative urban landscape and the experience of psychological restoration. It draws on theoretical foundations from the literature to frame the research problem, aligning with attention restoration theory (ART) scales.

The study hypothesizes that restorative landscape elements within the built environment can support the experience of psychological restoration. The theoretical framework of restoration is examined based on the Attention Restoration Theory (ART) scales by assessing the experiences of University of Baghdad occupants—including a sample of faculty members and students—through a questionnaire designed to capture user perceptions. The study employs a five-point Likert scale and statistical analysis using SPSS software.

The findings indicate the potential of the University of Baghdad’s environment to facilitate psychological restoration, as most respondents reported a strong sense of restoration and mental recovery. Among the restorative landscape preferences, tree-lined pathways at the university's main entrance received the highest rating.