The Relationship Between Women’s Preferences for Landscape Spatial Configurations and Relevant Socio-Economic Variables

Abstract

People’s preferences for urban parks are influenced by the spatial and contextual characteristics of spaces, where landscapes form the main body of parks. The present study examined women’s preferences for landscape spatial quality indicators (including coherence, mystery, complexity, legibility, prospect, and refuge) in two urban parks. Also, the study explored the impact of socio-economic variables such as age, income, and education on women’s preferences. In this spirit, a photo survey was conducted among 178 women as park users in Tabriz in 2017. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and comparison tests such as one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Based on the results, the highest preferences were for mystery, complexity, and prospect. The results also revealed that the preference for landscape spatial quality indicators (LSQIs) varies among different age groups, education levels, and income statuses, where middle-aged women show the highest preference toward all of the LSQIs. Similarly, perception of and preference for landscape were seen to increase with education level, with less educated women demonstrating the lowest preferences for LSQIs in a park environment. Also, women with low and high income levels had the highest preference for mystery, complexity, and prospect of LSQIs. The population of middle-aged residents is increasing, which renders it necessary for special attention to be paid to understanding their opinions and demands for public spaces, such as landscape quality. It was likewise confirmed that users’ characteristics should be taken into account in planting design, particularly its spatial configurations in urban parks.

Contribution of Design Indicators in Perception of Social Capital, and Interference of Socio-Demographic Information in the Process

“…In another study in Tabriz, Iran, perceptual preferences for plants (trees, shrubs, and flowers) showed growing trend with increases in education [44]. This increasing pattern was also detected for perceptual preferences for planting designs [45]. Formal education leads to an increase in self-confidence and awareness, and thus higher perception of social cohesion and security.…”

“…Further, studies found the impact of personal characteristics on perception of design and aesthetic features. Studies demonstrated that women's age, income, and education affect their perceptual preferences for landscape elements [44], and spatial configuration [45].…”