G5 Doctoral dissertation (article)
In defence of cities : aesthetics of engagement in everyday environments (2020)

Besson, A. (2020). In defence of cities : aesthetics of engagement in everyday environments [Doctoral dissertation]. Jyväskylän yliopisto. JYU dissertations, 190. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-8055-9

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Besson, Anu

eISBN: 978-951-39-8055-9

Journal or series: JYU dissertations

eISSN: 2489-9003

Publication year: 2020

Number in series: 190

Number of pages in the book: 1 verkkoaineisto (87 sivua, 40 sivua useina numerointijaksoina, 33 numeroimatonta sivua)

Publisher: Jyväskylän yliopisto

Place of Publication: Jyväskylä

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: English

Persistent website address: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-8055-9

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Abstract

What aesthetic qualities do we find restorative in our environments? I explore this in the context of staycations, favourite places, nature, urban environments, and the ideal or optimal environment. The data was sourced from social media and print media; a qualitative survey (N=308); and via a literature review. This thesis contrasts and bridges theories in environmental and everyday aesthetics with empirical findings in environmental preference studies, to critically examine current knowledge about environmental preferences and restoration, and to fill gaps and identify new directions for research. The main conclusions are that environmental preferences are influenced by the research method; the term “restorative” warrants expansion; and environmental preferences significantly depend on the subject’s expectations, earlier experiences and the interactional possibilities that are available in places. We are not passive recipients of sensory input but actively seek to attain positive influences and alter our surroundings to affect our mood and well-being.

Keywords: everyday; environmental aesthetics; experience (enjoyment); environmental psychology; preferences; experiences (knowledge); sensations (mental objects); urban environment; relation to nature

Free keywords: environmental aesthetics; environmental preference studies; everyday aesthetics; restorative environments; urban studies

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020