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Urban Public Spaces as Restorative Environments: The Case of Ljubljana

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  • Katarina Polajnar Horvat

    (Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Daniela Ribeiro

    (Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

In this study, we used a survey to examine how urban residents in Ljubljana, Slovenia, value and use distinct urban public spaces. Specifically, we were interested to assess if urban public spaces in the city are used/perceived as restorative environments. To do this, we addressed the question: To what extent do restorative dimensions differ in nine selected urban public spaces, varying in size, design, amenities, number of visitors, and, most importantly, degree of naturalness? Results from survey allowed to determine to what extent the selected urban public spaces in Ljubljana differ in terms of their perceived degree of restoration. We hypothesized that urban public spaces with a higher degree of naturalness in the city have a higher restoration value than urban public spaces with a lower degree of naturalness. Surprisingly, the urban public space that was above average on most restorative dimensions was the Old Town. These results are somewhat at odds with the attentional restoration theory, which states that the combination of dimensions is most typical of natural environments. However, this could be an indicator of the effectiveness of the city’s current policies to improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Suggested Citation

  • Katarina Polajnar Horvat & Daniela Ribeiro, 2023. "Urban Public Spaces as Restorative Environments: The Case of Ljubljana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2159-:d:1046296
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lee Cronbach, 1951. "Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 16(3), pages 297-334, September.
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    1. Jiayi Jiang & Hong Xu & Ruochen Ma & Shi Chen & Huixin Wang & Ziang Zheng, 2024. "What Is the Perceived Environmental Restorative Potential of Informal Green Spaces? An Empirical Study Based on Visitor-Employed Photography," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-20, October.

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