| Preferences for urban environments containing prominent
natural elements were studied as a function of content categories, viewing
time, and nine predictor variables: spaciousness, refuge, coherence,
legibility, complexity, mystery, typicality, nature, and age. A nonmetric
factor analysis of the preference ratings for the longest viewing time
yielded four dimensions: Older Buildings, Concealed Foreground, Tended
Nature, and Contemporary Buildings. Tended nature was best liked, Older
Building least liked, and there was very little difference in preference
ratings with brief and longer viewing times. Regression analyses revealed
three variables as independent positive predictors of preference:
coherence, mystery, and nature. Practical and theoretical implications of
the results were explored. Overall, the results support the usefulness of
the Kaplans' informational model of environmental preference. |