This study investigates men’s perceptions and preferences toward native, semi-native, and non-native plant species in the urban parks of Tabriz, Iran. It examines how cognitive recognition of plant types shape preferences for trees, shrubs, bushes, and flowers. A visual questionnaire containing 72 images of plant species was administered to 200 male park users in Tabriz. The instrument gathered demographic data, assessed respondents’ recognition of plant origins, and measured preferences using a five-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and reliability assessment via Cronbach’s alpha. Participants showed the strongest preference for flowers, followed by trees, shrubs, and bushes. Native and semi-native species were generally more preferred than non-native ones. The most favored species included the red maple, Indian chestnut, cluster jasmine, paper flower shrub, pomegranate bush, and lilies. Non-native shrubs were the least preferred group. A significant positive correlation was found between plant recognition and preference across all plant categories, indicating that familiarity strongly enhances visual preference. Men’s landscape preferences in Tabriz are closely linked to their cognitive recognition of plant species, with native and semi-native vegetation perceived as more appealing and suitable for urban parks. Incorporating these species—especially flowers—can enhance park attractiveness and user satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of integrating public perceptual and cognitive factors into urban planting design to improve ecological, aesthetic, and social value in urban green spaces.

Urban green spaces provide wide-ranging environmental, social, and health benefits; nevertheless, access to and modes of engagement with these spaces are unevenly distributed across gender groups. A substantial portion of the existing scholarship adopts ostensibly gender-neutral analytical frameworks, thereby obscuring how gendered power relations, social norms, and everyday responsibilities shape differentiated experiences of access, safety, and use. This systematic review synthesizes empirical research on gendered inequities in urban green spaces across three interrelated dimensions: access, perceived and experienced safety, and daily usage. Guided by PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of the WoS and Scopus databases identified 78 peer-reviewed studies for inclusion. Using narrative and thematic synthesis, the review reveals persistent structural disadvantages affecting women and gender-diverse users, including limited spatial proximity to green spaces, restricted mobility, time scarcity linked to unpaid care work, economic constraints, and restrictive socio-cultural norms. Safety concerns emerge as a central mediating factor, shaping avoidance behaviors and constraining the temporal and spatial conditions of green space use. These intersecting constraints produce differentiated patterns of everyday engagement, with women’s use frequently concentrated in nearby, lower-quality spaces and confined to particular times of day. The findings demonstrate that gendered inequities in urban green spaces arise from interconnected structural and quotidian processes rather than from isolated barriers. Adopting a gender justice perspective, the review underscores the need for gender-sensitive and care-oriented planning and policy approaches that prioritize proximity, inclusive conceptions of safety, and everyday usability to promote more equitable, healthy, and sustainable urban environments.

Parks provide facilities for physical activity (PA), which leads to an improvement in community physical health. Housewives are known as a group to undertake less active activity; thus, special attention should be paid to providing facilities for them to be active physically in parks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the reasons behind housewives’ refusal to visit parks for physical activity. The data was collected by using a questionnaire among 210 visitors (women) the El Goli and Shams Tabrizi parks in Tabriz, Iran. The main core of the questionnaire consisted of three parts, namely accessibility to, attractiveness of, and amenities in parks. The data also was analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software. The results of Spearman correlation showed very strong association between the “attractiveness” of the park and reasons for not participating in PA (r = 0.802). The results of the structural equation model in SmartPLS also confirmed that the attractiveness (β = 0.317, p = 0.904) and the park amenities (β = 0.453, p = 0.841) had strong direct correlation with refusal of engagement with physical activities in parks by housewives (R2 = 0.804). This study used a systematic analytical method to demonstrate the importance of park amenities, attractiveness, and micro-level of park characteristics on housewives’ participation in physical activity in parks, where attractiveness and the amenities provided had a significant role in their reasons to engage or not to engage in parks. The results are very useful for park designers and urban planners to reorganize and redesign urban parks to improve women’s physical activity levels in public spaces.s

This study examines the role of nature-based solutions in promoting mental health and well-being of older adults in nursing homes, focusing on the impact of green spaces and therapeutic landscapes. The research was conducted in Khooban and Ana nursing home in Tabriz, Iran. A questionnaire was distributed to 277 participants to collect data on socio-demographic information, landscape functions, security, facilities, and preferences. A photo-based questionnaire featuring simulated images of the nursing home was utilized to evaluate preferences for the surrounding landscape. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Factor analysis revealed two key dimensions of mental well-being: liveliness and sense of comfort. Diversity in vegetation, particularly the inclusion of aromatic trees, positively influenced the sense of liveliness among older adult residents. The presence of green spaces, especially views of greenery, significantly contributed to residents’ relaxation and overall mental well-being. The findings suggest that well-designed green spaces in nursing homes play a crucial role in enhancing residents’ mental well-being. Increasing tree diversity, creating green spaces in front of windows, and incorporating flowers and aromatic plants can help establish a more peaceful and vibrant environment, ultimately improving the quality of life for older adults in nursing homes. Nature-based solutions, particularly the integration of diverse green spaces in nursing homes, have a significant positive impact on the mental well-being of older adults. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and healthcare professionals in creating environments conducive to healthy aging in nursing homes.

In society, older men are particularly at risk both mentally and physically. Urban parks and green spaces are vital as they provide people with a place to improve their physical and mental health and well-being. Given the lack of research on the tendencies of older people in developing countries such as Iran is departure point of the current study. The data of this study were collected by distributing questionnaires to 273 elderly men in Golestan Park in Tabriz. The questionnaire was divided into four categories: park accessibility, park esthetics, park amenities, and physical activity. Descriptive statistics, validity and reliability of questions, and test of normality of data were performed using SPSS software. To obtain more sophisticated result, the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) in Smart-PLS software to make the SEM method more complete. The results showed strong value of R2 for both dependent variables of mental well-being (R2 = 0.729) and physical activity (R2 = 0.594). Urban parks positively affect physical activity level and mental well-being stage. Also, physical activity had straight positive effect on mental well-being of elderly people. In addition, this study can be useful to create a guide for landscape architects and urban planners in designing urban parks and green spaces to provide a more comfortable atmosphere for older people, which promotes their mentality.

Urban landscapes greatly influence the morale and vitality of residents. This study identified key indicators for planning and designing lively urban landscapes (LUL). In the first phase, semi-structured interviews with 31 experts were conducted to extract indicators and sub-indicators. The second phase evaluated their importance using an actor-target (expert-indicator) matrix. The interview data were analyzed using MACTOR and ATLAS.ti software. The results highlighted crucial elements for creating livable cities, such as beauty and health, incorporating color diversity, balance, simplicity, rhythm, preservation of natural landscapes, and integrating water features. Education and safety were also identified as vital components, focusing on safety within urban furniture and surveillance systems. Human-centered planning that considers the needs and preferences of citizens emerged as critical for developing lively urban areas. These findings offer practical guidance for urban planners and designers aiming to enhance vitality and improve urban environments.

Rapid urbanization and population growth are amplifying challenges such as urban flooding and the intensification of heat island effects, posing significant risks to cities worldwide. Urban ecosystem services, particularly those provided by green infrastructures, are essential for mitigating these challenges and enhancing ecological resilience. However, there is a lack of accurate methods to assist local authorities in quantifying and optimizing these services. This study addresses this gap by integrating Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with the InVEST Urban Cooling Model (UCM) and Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Model (UFRM) to evaluate flood risk control and urban cooling in the Tabriz metropolitan area, Iran, for the years 2016 and 2023. The results show a 0.23 million m3 increase in surface runoff and a 0.06 degrees C rise in average urban temperature, indicating reduced resilience and increased vulnerability to climate-related hazards. Urban agriculture areas were found to retain up to 1.40 million m3 of runoff and reduce local temperatures by 1.82 degrees C, demonstrating their dual role in mitigating flood and heat risks. These findings highlight the importance of integrating remote sensing and ecosystem service modeling into urban planning. The study offers a replicable, cost-effective framework for assessing urban resilience and emphasizes the need for strategic investment in green infrastructure and urban agriculture to support sustainable development in rapidly urbanizing, data-scarce regions.

Three crown shapes spherical, cylindrical and conical were compared by using ENVI-met model. Also, PET, air temperature (Ta), mean radiant temperature (Tmrt), and relative humidity were calculated by the RayMan model. The results showed that the effect of small trees on thermal comfort and Ta is very low. In large trees, the cylindrical and spherical crown had great cooling effect. In the east-west orientation the spherical crown had better cooling performance (Ta reduction by 1.5 °C, PET reduction by 10.6 °C) but in the north-south orientation the cylindrical crown shape performance was similar to the spherical one.

Abstract The importance of urban parks for improving the quality of life of residents is becoming increasingly clear as people interact less and less with nature. Urban parks should be designed to have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of citizens through the provision of high-quality facilities and services. Nevertheless, there are differences in the influencing factors in urban parks. Nowadays, urban parks as the lungs of cities are considered important destinations for citizens to get rid of stress and mental fatigue. Therefore, it is important to understand what factors contribute to people feeling mentally better and improving their well-being. Based on people’s experiences and opinions, the present study aims to investigate how urban parks as nature-based solutions in Marivan City, Iran, especially the green infrastructure and its elements in Shano and Zaribar Parks, contribute to respondent’s mental health and overall well-being. The necessary data for this study were collected from 277 respondents using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was randomly distributed both in person and online. The questions were categorized based on 3 indicators directly related to mental health and well-being: perceptual, visual, and functional. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in Smart-PLS software. Results indicate that the perceptual, visual, and functional indicators in Marivan’s urban parks have a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of residents. Among these indicators, the visual indicator has shown the highest level of influence.

Understanding the impact of changes in land use/land cover (LULC) on carbon sequestration (Cseq) and emission leads to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). For this, Business-As-Usual (BAU) and Sustainable Development (SD) scenarios were examined in Azarshar city, Iran which is faced with urban intensification. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the carbon cycle and influences of various urban growth indicators are still unclear even under climate change, rapid urbanization, and ecological deterioration. In this research, total carbon storage (Cts) and Cseq were determined at four carbon pools i.e., aboveground carbon (AGC), belowground carbon (BGC), dead organic carbon (DeOC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). This research revealed a successful implementation of integrated CA-Markov and InVEST models in delineating LULC changes between 2013 and 2033. It was concluded that land resources management play a crucial role in decreasing Cseq along with increasing carbon emission across the study area. The modelling results showed a significant shifting from barren and cropland to developed land uses. This research goes beyond providing supporting evidence that urban expansion is a key factor driving the aforementioned changes, but also illustrates the importance of remote sensing in ecological modelling, especially where information is sparse.

This study seeks to find appropriate landscape patterns of campus based on students’ preferences. A photo questionnaire containing scenes of different types of campus landscapes was distributed among 200 students in University of Tabriz, Iran. The results emphasized the importance of vegetation, seating areas and water features of campuses. Also, students prefer open spaces consisting of lawn and grass (M = 3.31, S.D. = 1.00). Students also prefer a campus, which has a natural base, landscape elements and seating places, while the least preferred (M = 2.96, S.D. = 0.89) scenes comprise a large amount of hardscape. Students had a different preference for landscaping of open study area and leisure time place where the studying area should be designed with vertical natural elements. Shading trees and benches were also highlighted as very important furniture for these places. In terms of spatial organization, the content analysis revealed that these areas should be open and spacious. Places for leisure time need to be decorated with informal landscape design for creating a pleasant view. Designing a landscape with various forms will make these places more pleasant. Scenes of curved paths and colourful plants for these places showed a positive association with student socialization activities.

The issues of local climate change, urban heat islands and improving outdoor thermal comfort in cities demand special attention in urban planning. This paper examines the effect of various plant arrangements, plant type, and the direction of the rows of trees against the prevailing wind on micrometeorological conditions and thermal comfort. The study area was simulated using the ENVI-met model. It was validated by comparing the values of the output parameters of the model with field measurements. Finally, the proposed scenarios were simulated in the model and identified after analyzing scenarios that displayed better performance in improving outdoor thermal comfort. The results indicated that the rectangular planting of evergreen trees in the outer rows and deciduous trees in the inner rows in a direction perpendicular to the prevailing wind produced the most optimal condition in improving outdoor thermal comfort (1.3 Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) reduction). Also, triangular patterns perpendicular to wind direction with evergreen trees brought out the weakest performance in improving thermal comfort (0.2 PMV reduction). The findings of the research can be used by landscape designers and urban planners to enhance green space designs, develop sustainable cities, and improve thermal comfort in residential areas.

This research addressed the relationship between LSQI (Landscape Spatial Quality Indicators) and women's preferences towards LC (Landscape Components). This study also evaluated women's' preferences for LSQI, and also the relationship between LSQI and women's perceived restoration. A photo-questionnaire was completed by 178 females in Shams Tabrizi Park in Tabriz, Iran. The results showed that some indicators exercise stronger effects in terms of inducing a sense of restoration (e.g. legibility, r = 0.682). Also, there is a significant relation between restoration and attractiveness (r = 0.680). The respondents exhibited the highest preferences for scenes of refuge (M = 4.08), but the preference was affected by complexity (r = 0.871). With regard to the implication, shrubs are recommended to create a mysterious landscape (r = 0.867), trees for legible (r = 0.759) and coherent (r = 0.857) landscapes, and finally, flowers are more appropriate choices in establishing complex landscapes (r = 0.817) taking women's preferences into account. Further on-site studies are needed to prove the significant impact of landscape components on preference for spatial indicators in a large-scale landscape. The results confirmed that the most attractive scenes convey the highest senses of restoration. Legibility level, the indicator having strong correlations with restoration, should be considered in landscape design practices.

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.

Rest areas have been built on the freeway to avoid traffic accidents and drowsiness so that road travelers can rest. These supplemental rest areas are very small-sized resting facilities located between the larger regular rest areas, which is a unique design. However, the management of rest areas and their accommodations need to be improved by considering the effective factors involved. In this spirit, the purpose of this research is to study the effect of users’ preferences into planning parameters in rest areas. The study examines several rest areas, their roles and services. Customer satisfaction includes check-in time and purchase, type of service for travelers, intention to use the rest areas service, and satisfaction with the rest areas service. A survey study was carried out among 360 passengers of four rest areas in different locations in Iran. The participants claimed that providing praying room (M= 4.13) is the service most expected from rest areas. They also expected better landscaping of these places in providing shaded spaces (M= 4.13) to mitigate temperatures in hot seasons. The results also show that there is a significant difference between genders in terms of recreational activities (t= 2.81, α= 0.005), landscape amenities (t= 2.01, α= 0.044), welfare services (t= 3.05, α= 0.002), where women prioritized these factors more than men did. The findings of this research can be used in better management, accommodating, and designing of future crossing rest areas according to tourists’ preferences.

This study explores women’s perceptions preferences towards plants’ attributes as a step towards sustainable development of urban parks. A photo questionnaire survey was conducted among 178 women in urban parks of Tabriz, Iran. The results indicated that women’s preference has a strong correlation with spreading (r= .726) and circular (r= .701) forms of plants in the urban park. Women are most familiar with circular form (r= .632), and spreading form is the most attractive one (r= .512). The preference for plants had a strong correlation with rough texture (r= .747). Among the shrubs containing different colours, preference has a strong correlation (r= .711) with pink flowering shrubs. The results illustrated that familiarity had a relatively strong correlation (r= .642) with light green foliage meanwhile preference was strongly correlated (r= .812) with light green foliage. Shrubs containing light green leaves, pink flowers, rough texture, and circular or spreading forms might contribute to the higher preferences in the urban parks. At a more practical level, the findings of this study will contribute to the sustainable development of urban green spaces and particularly urban parks.

•This paper has reviewed recent studies on the effect of plants on thermal comfort.•The main subjects included physical properties of plants, crown densities, planting patterns and arrangement, and leaf type.•The results of the review revealed several effective factors on thermal comfort such as planting rows interaction with wind direction, trees forms, and green spaces patches.

Feeling of safety is one of the main factors of social comfort and women as part of society have significant role in developing societies and improving of human. Increasing safety using environmental design in ladies urban park in which only women are allowed can be considered an effective method. The current study was conducted to understand women safety feeling in Ladies Park and also to discover the main reasons of feeling unsafe in Sahand city in Tabriz. In addition, Islamic cultural beliefs and values were considered during this study. In this aspect, all together 125 people of park users were selected and interviewed asking questions regarding preferred physical activities, accessibility to park, perceived safety, reasons of feeling unsafe, and their recommendation to improve safety in ladies urban parks. The results of the study revealed that high-rise building around park and arid area around the park were the main issue of not feeling safe in park, meanwhile, darkness and attending men for maintenance of the park were placed in the second level of importance for unsafe perception. Also, majority of the participants declared that they like to exercise in mornings every day. It seems that development of park surrounding and providing sport facilities may enhance safety perception in ladies urban park.

The number of malls in Malaysia has not only increased dramatically, but they have also been subject to continual expansion over the past few years. Despite this rate of expansion, there has not been enough attention paid to the quality of the spaces and interior landscaping of the malls on the basis of people’s preferences. This study aimed to bring out people’s preferences towards interior public spaces at shopping malls. Using a photo questionnaire, the results pointed to three major dimensions: the green dimension, the seating dimension, and the business dimension in open spaces of shopping malls where the green dimension received the highest preference. The green dimension includes water features, trees, plants, and shrubs. Moreover, legibility and coherence affected people’s preferences for open spaces in shopping malls. People did not prefer the business dimension to spending leisure times, involving business equipment in shopping malls. The study suggested that shopping malls should be designed as truly public spaces with ample public areas. Green elements and water features should be used more in shopping mall public places. Moreover, policy makers can expand the “shopping town” approach for people’s leisure in malls that should include characteristics such as rivers or waterfalls with a dynamic water flow, famous places, public libraries, gardens, town activities, and cultural activities.