RESEARCH

Therapeutic Plant Landscape Design of Urban Forest Parks Based on the Five Senses Theory: A Case Study of Stanley Park in Canada

The study found that the therapeutic plant landscape in Stanley Park significantly improved visitors’ physical and mental health by stimulating their five senses. The survey results confirmed that the plant landscape successfully provided enjoyable and beneficial experiences.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: General Population

Setting or Context: Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Cognitive Function, Sensory Stimulation

Allied Profession Intersections: Forest/Ecotherapy

Type of Activity: Forest/Natural Area Immersion, Sensory Stimulation

Evidence Type: Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Randomized Controlled Trials

Measurement and Evaluation: Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Available Upon Request

Summary

This research paper explores the design of therapeutic plant landscapes in urban forest parks, using Stanley Park in Canada as a case study. The study focuses on how different plants can engage the five senses—sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste—to improve visitors’ physical and mental health. By incorporating colorful and visually appealing plants, aromatic species, plants that rustle in the wind, edible plants, and those with interesting textures, the park’s design aims to create a more enjoyable and healing environment for people.

To gather data, the researchers conducted surveys with visitors to understand their experiences and satisfaction with the park’s plant landscape. The results showed that the carefully selected plants effectively enhanced the park’s therapeutic benefits by providing a multisensory experience that positively impacted the visitors’ well-being.

Link

He, M., Wang, Y., Wang, W.J., & Xie, Z. (2022). Therapeutic plant landscape design of urban forest parks based on the Five Senses Theory: A case study of Stanley Park in Canada. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 10(1), 97-112

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