Quantifying stress level reduction induced by urban greenery perception

Abstract Urban stress is one of today’s most critical health challenges that urban stakeholders need to urgently address. However, while the positive role nature for mental and level reduction has been widely reported, distinct green infrastructure design characteristics play in citizen yet be understood. This paper presents a novel methodology where virtual reality, eye-tracking technologies, biometric sensing heart rate variability, participant questionnaires have combined, evaluate psychological physiological capacity infrastructure. 30 subjects participated reality immersion 12 squares. 360° images were captured each square, mapped on sphere surrounding participant. For view index was computed using semantic image classification, based obtained values, organized two blocks: >35% non-green <20%. The data showed significant differences between blocks. Fixation counts decreased block, which an indicator reduction. perceived restorativeness scale questionnaire also reported highly with higher global scores block.