News #6

Figure: The four types of rooftop landscapes used in this study. Control: no vegetation with concrete floor; type G: grass vegetation; type GS: grass-shrubs vegetation; type GST: grass-shrubs-trees vegetation.

DID YOU KNOW?

A 2023 study by Lee et al. from two Korean institutions: Hankyong National University (Landscape Architecture) and Seoul National University (Environmental Studies), revealed that rooftops rich in layered vegetation—grass, shrubs, and trees—can significantly calm the human mind and body? Participants exposed to these greener rooftop designs showed remarkable improvements in wellbeing: anger levels dropped by 20.47% and total mood disturbance fell by 63.38%. Beyond beautifying cities, such green spaces remind us that when we make room for nature, we cultivate both emotional balance and urban resilience.

Lee, J.; Kang, M.; Lee, S.; Lee, S. Effects of Vegetation Structure on Psychological Restoration in an Urban Rooftop Space. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 260.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010260
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/260