Analysis of Urban Forest Healing Program Expected Values, Needs, and Preferred Components in Urban Forest Visitors with Diseases: A Pilot Survey

Abstract

Although the effectiveness of urban forest therapy has been studied and proven, most people are not well aware of the positive healing effects of urban forests that are easily accessible in daily life compared to the known healing effect of forests located outside urban areas. In addition, there has been a study on the analysis of urban forest healing program needs in the general population, but there is a lack of evidence on the expected values and needs of urban forest healing for people with diseases. Therefore, this pilot survey aimed to investigate the expected values, needs, and preferred components of urban forest healing programs in urban forest visitors with disease via an online user survey and see if there were any differences in the purpose of the urban forest visits and expected values of urban forest healing depending on the type of disease. The survey was conducted on 294 urban forest visitors with diseases. About 79% of respondents agreed with the healing effects of urban forest, however most respondents expected healing effects on mental health rather than on physical health (“mood change” was the highest with score of 4.43/5, followed by “reliving stress” (4.35/5) and “mental and physical stability” (4.31/5)). In addition, more than 82.0% of respondents agreed to participate in the program if a healing program for disease was developed. The results of the current pilot survey indicate that the purpose of the urban forest visits and expected values of urban forest healing were largely not different by the type of disease, and people with disease had a relatively lower awareness and lower expected values of urban forest healing effects on physical health, but high demand for the program. Urban forest therapy programs should be developed based on the specific clinical characteristics of the disease to maximize the effectiveness of the program. Additionally, policies should be implemented to promote the beneficial effects of urban forest healing not only for mental health but also for physical health.

Analysis of Perceptions, Preferences, and Participation Intention of Urban Forest Healing Program among Cancer Survivors

“…The purpose of participation in the forest healing program was confirmed in the following order in this study: appreciation of watching natural landscapes, changing the mood, improving immunity, improving cardiopulmonary strength, and relieving stress. A previous study of urban forest users and adults with diseases reported rest, relaxation, health promotion, and viewing beautiful landscapes [ 39 , 42 ] as the reasons for the aforementioned benefits, similar to the results of this study. These results show that not only cancer survivors but also the general public think that the effects of the forest healing program can be obtained by appreciating natural scenery.…”

Trabzon Kent Merkezi̇ Örneği̇nde Kent Ormani Olabi̇lecek Yeşi̇l Alan Kullanimlarinin Terci̇h Edi̇lebi̇li̇rli̇ği̇

“…Since urban forests are one of the most important parts of urban green space systems, they provide many services to their cities and city-dwellers. There are many studies proving that urban forests are very important for both the psychological and physical health of urban users (Li, 2010;Mao, et al, 2012;Zhou, et al, 2019;Park, 2022). In these studies, it is also seen that urban forests are effective in curing chronic diseases, depression and anxiety.…”

Forest Therapy Trails: A Conceptual Framework and Scoping Review of Research

“…Beyond these basic demographic and health-related characteristics, a few studies employing survey methods asked current and potential participants questions about their needs, motivations, and experience preferences with respect to forest therapy programs. Lee et al [107] and Park [115] both conducted analyses of individuals challenged with disease about the types of programs that would best suit their needs with respect to activities, costs, and other factors. Choi [116] asked university students about their motivations and Kil et al [55] asked onsite visitors about their recreation experience preferences for forest therapy engagements.…”

“…Access is another key issue: site selection factors such as proximity and cost can affect people's ability to get to and use forest therapy sites [244,245], while design factors such as trail grade and surfacing can make sites accessible for users including older individuals and those with mobility impairments [246]. Again, such considerations were examined in only a few articles in our review set [40,115] and review of other work relating to trail choice preferences and design and construction standards could provide useful guidance for the siting and design of forest therapy trails.…”