University Students Noticing Nature: The Unpleasant, the Threatening and the Unfamiliar

Abstract

This chapter considers the social, individual and behavioural dimensions that result in a familiar landscape becoming an unfamiliar place to visit. Here unfamiliar is considered to be a lack of experience of a place rather than a lack of recognition. Many of us recognise a local park, however, that does not explicitly mean we have experience of, or attachment to the place. Specifically, this chapter considers the opportunity to support university students’ use of nearby green space for their wellbeing. It details the results of focus groups on urban green spaces and why certain aspects prevent university students’ engagement. This chapter answers why it is important to understand the dimensions of an urban green space which make it unpleasant, threatening and ultimately unfamiliar.