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Gender Differences and Optimizing Women’s Experiences: An Exploratory Study of Visual Behavior While Viewing Urban Park Landscapes in Tokyo, Japan

Author

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  • Ruochen Ma

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

  • Yuxin Luo

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

  • Katsunori Furuya

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

Abstract

Improving the inclusiveness of urban green spaces and enabling various groups to equally enjoy their benefits is the basis of sustainable urban development. Urban park design generally starts from a gender-neutral perspective, ignoring differences in needs related to gender, particularly women’s sensitivity to the environment. This study focused on visual perception and explored gender differences and proposed causes of visual-behavior differences while viewing landscapes. We used photo data from Mizumoto Park in Tokyo and recruited 16 master’s students living nearby to participate in an eye-tracking experiment. The results indicate that men and women have different eye-movement patterns and that elemental ratios affect eye movement behavior more among women than men. Moreover, this study found that men gaze longer at trees and more briefly at shrubs, flowers, and artificial elements than women. Attention-grabbing paths/grounds had a negative effect on the aesthetic evaluation of the scene among women but not men. Based on these findings, suggestions for optimizing women’s experiences at the visual level are proposed for aspects of vegetation density, visual focus, and road design. This study informs park design and improvement with the premise that gender alters the perception of these environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruochen Ma & Yuxin Luo & Katsunori Furuya, 2023. "Gender Differences and Optimizing Women’s Experiences: An Exploratory Study of Visual Behavior While Viewing Urban Park Landscapes in Tokyo, Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:3957-:d:1076321
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    1. Cristina Matos Silva & Fátima Bernardo & Maria Manso & Isabel Loupa Ramos, 2023. "Green Spaces over a Roof or on the Ground, Does It Matter? The Perception of Ecosystem Services and Potential Restorative Effects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.

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