ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Colorful urban environments, even in virtual reality, can help city-dwellers’ wellbeing

Researchers used virtual reality to test the impact of changes made to urban settings.

Fermin KoopbyFermin Koop
June 20, 2022
in Design, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Living in a city can sometimes be daunting. From the crowded streets to the noise pollution and the drab grey buildings, cities can take a great toll on our wellbeing. However, a possible solution may lie in colours. According to a new study, introducing bright and green colors into our cities can make people happier and calmer.

Bright polygons splashed across walkways draw the gaze of virtual pedestrians. Image courtesy of the researchers.

Previous studies have shown that the exposition to nature can improve well-being. Trees and plantations and even patches of grass play a big role in restoring positive moods and affective states in cities. However, it’s not always possible to introduce vegetation into urban environments due to low budgets and design constraints.

City designers have then been inspired to use colours to include green patches of colour on building walls and streets, with examples from Berlin to Vancouver. However, the actual effect of this on residents hasn’t been clear. A team of researchers from the University of Lille in France took a closer look at this, using virtual reality simulations.

“Measuring pleasure and motivation in natural settings is difficult,” study author Yvonne Delevoye-Turrell said in a statement. “Human reactions are sensitive to environmental changes, such as weather or traffic, and measurement biases. Consequently, we used virtual reality as a proof of concept to measure reactions.”

VR and colourful cities

Using VR technology, the researchers created an immersive urban environment with either no vegetation or some green vegetation. They also introduced colorful patterns in one of these virtual environment paths. They worked with a group of student volunteers, who walked on the spot in a lab wearing the VR headset with eye trackers.

The researchers tracked the blink rate and walking pace of the volunteers, noting what the participants were more interested in. If they took a look around or slowed their pace, this was a sign they had found something stimulating. Then the researchers asked the volunteers to fill out a questionnaire about their overall experience.

The study confirmed urban vegetation was seen as more pleasant than urban concrete environments. Speed of walking decreased in urban vegetation compared to urban concrete, suggesting green urban settings provide some physiological restoration. No changes were registered in heart rate because of the introduction of green elements.

While the study didn’t find effects of color designs on walking speed, interest and arousal were triggered with colors. Perceived pleasantness was greater with colour designs than without. Also, mean heart rates were greater with colour designs in grey and green urban environments, which shows that colour designs increased physiological arousal.

RelatedPosts

This is probably not the last time we’ve heard of bat viruses
Whales and sharks sightings increase around NY waters, in response to cleaner waters
Why people are so easily convinced by high-class, yet incompetent people
Weapons shouldn’t be able to decide themselves to end a life – Hawking, Musk, Wozniak sign letter requesting the ban of autonomous weapons and military AI

“Urban planners could use our VR method and use scientifically based visual interventions to encourage citizens to pay attention to ground surfaces, e.g., when a road is under construction or in threat of flooding,” the researchers wrote. “The use of color-design principles could be also powerful to guide popup interventions that would control gaze travel through the city and the woods.”

The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Virtual Reality.

ShareTweetShare
Fermin Koop

Fermin Koop

Fermin Koop is a reporter from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He holds an MSc from Reading University (UK) on Environment and Development and is specialized in environment and climate change news.

Related Posts

Science

A Team of Researchers Brought the World’s First Chatbot Back to Life After 60 Years

byMihai Andrei
39 minutes ago
default
Inventions

From Farms to Lost Cities, Drones Are Quietly Revolutionizing Modern Science

byMihai Andrei
1 hour ago
Health

Professional Bodybuilders Are Five Times More Likely to Die Suddenly Than Amateurs. Yes, it’s Because of the Drugs

byTibi Puiu
2 hours ago
Diseases

Common Cold Sore Virus May Mess With Your Brain Decades Later (and Cause Alzheimer’s)

byMihai Andrei
3 hours ago

Recent news

A Team of Researchers Brought the World’s First Chatbot Back to Life After 60 Years

May 22, 2025
default

From Farms to Lost Cities, Drones Are Quietly Revolutionizing Modern Science

May 22, 2025

Professional Bodybuilders Are Five Times More Likely to Die Suddenly Than Amateurs. Yes, it’s Because of the Drugs

May 22, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.