A Transdisciplinary Approach to Recovering Natural and Cultural Landscape and Place Identification: A Case Study of Can Moritz Spring (Rubí, Spain)

Abstract

The perception of the quality of green and blue spaces can be key in the relationship between a community and its local landscape (i.e., place identification). The lack of transdisciplinary training and social-specific education of landscape architects regarding the complexity of landscape as a participative cultural artefact limits reaching the general population. Bridging this gap of landscape and place identification and evaluation by a local community was the main objective of the present case study conducted at an abandoned spring and seasonal stream area in Rubí (Spain). The “Steinitz method” of landscape evaluation was used as a participatory method to activate community members to learn about and express their visual preferences regarding this neglected landscape. Bottom-up interventions applying an “urban acupuncture” approach in the area identified as the least attractive by the residents were co-designed and combined with a top-down restoration of a nearby, existing but derelict and hidden, spring. In addition, before and after planning and implementing the intervention, we conducted surveys about the community perception, sense of belonging and use of the space. We observed that the lack of awareness of the inhabitants about this spring was an obstacle preventing the community from embracing the potential for health and wellbeing presented by the spring and adjacent landscape. Following the work, the landscape saw increasing use, and the historic spring was brought back to life as a resource to help people to improve their health and wellbeing.

Urban cultural heritage is mentally restorative: an experimental study based on multiple psychophysiological measures

“…An urban cultural heritage site is a special type of space consisting of green space and historical buildings, with considerable esthetic value (Yoshimura and Hiura, 2017 ) and non-material benefits and may be conducive to mental health. Urban cultural heritage sites are recognized as spaces that provide valuable cultural ecosystem services or have historical value and may improve mental health and physical wellbeing (Van Berkel et al, 2018 ; Cervera et al, 2021 ). Some psychological experiences brought by cultural spaces on mental health might be relevant to cultural belonging, place attachment (Liu et al, 2020 ), and esthetic preference (Purcell et al, 2001 ; Galindo and Hidalgo, 2005 ; Hoyle et al, 2017 ; Tieskens et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Some scholars showed the importance of historical monuments and attractions in addition to specific environmental features that are appreciated by the public (Van Berkel et al, 2018 ). If people lack awareness of the landscape, there will be certain obstacles to obtaining the potential for health and wellbeing (Cervera et al, 2021 ). All of these have proved the potential restorative value of cultural heritage.…”

Influence of Spatial Characteristics of Green Spaces on Microclimate: A Case Study in Suzhou Industrial Park, China

“…Their result suggested that urban green spaces and blue spaces reduce the heat-related mortality of urban vegetation. Cervera et al (2021) found that residents´ perception of the quality of urban green and blue spaces was key to dealing with the interaction between the local community and cultural landscape.…”