Greenery and bright colours in cities can boost morale – study

According to an experiment using virtual reality headsets, bright colors and greenery in our cities can make people happier.

A team of researchers at the University of Lille, in France, used virtual reality to test how volunteers would react to variations of a minimalist concrete, glass and metal cityscape. The 36 participants walked on the spot in a laboratory with a virtual reality headset and eye tracker, and researchers made their surroundings look different by adding vegetation, bright yellow and pink colors, and contrasting patterns on the path.

The researchers were able to find out what the volunteers were most interested in. The participants filled out questionnaires about their experiences.

When the volunteers saw green vegetation in the city, their heart rate went up. They looked forward and around instead of towards the ground. Adding and taking away colour didn't make much of a difference for the participants, but they were more curious and alert when colourful patterns were added to the ground. The results of the study showed that the urban experience had been made more enjoyable.

The research suggests that making small changes to the city can help people feel better about themselves. Delevoye- Turrell believes that the variations in human behavior obtained in virtual reality can predict the changes that would be obtained in the natural settings.

According to an architecture psychologist and consultant, who was not involved in the study, most people don't fully understand how beneficial nature is.

The effects of nature on ordinary places can be underestimated.

The study shows that even the smallest of changes can affect someone's experience on their way to work.

There is a growing body of research into the effects of vegetation and colour on urban environments.

The professor who was not involved in the study wondered if a virtual reality simulation could back up the thesis. He was worried that the study was not objective.

He said that building a scientific argument on the dichotomy was not useful. There is a need for a more differentiated and nuanced discussion.

Delevoye- Turrell said that using virtual reality to carry out the study was essential because it would mean very little control over the things that people experience in real life.

Delevoye- Turrell said that they have reached the technological capacities to produce a virtual environment that is similar to the natural settings.

She plans to add smells and sound to create a multi-sensory environment.