How Do Nature-Based Solutions’ Color Tones Influence People’s Emotional Reaction? An Assessment via Virtual and Augmented Reality in a Participatory Process

Simulations of urban transformations are an effective tool for engaging citizens and enhancing their understanding design outcomes. Citizens’ involvement can positively contribute to foster resilience mitigating the impact climate change. Successful integration Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) into fabric enables both mitigation hazards positive reactions citizens. This paper presents two case studies in a southern district Milan (Italy), investigating emotional reaction existing greenery designed NBS. During events, participants explored Virtual Reality (VR) (n = 48) Augmented (AR) 63) (i) its current condition (ii) project future transformation including The environmental exploration data collection took place through exp-EIA© method, integrated mobile app City Sense. correlations between color features viewed landscape showed that weighted saturation green lime colors reduced unpleasantness VR AR, while pixel area (%) only VR. No effects were observed on Arousal Sleepiness factors. show high reliability AR some variables. Implications method benefits simulation participatory processes discussed.