URBAN PARK DESIGN FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESTORATION VIA DIFFERENT AGES IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Mental health is commonly faced by urban dwellers due to urbanisation. Nature is therapeutic, especially for urbanites, and can help with mental health issues. However, little is known about the park characteristics in the restorative setting that could restore mental health for different ages. In order to address these limitations, the purpose of this study is to examine the association between park characteristics and mental health restoration, as well as the age differences among urban park users. Hence, the objective of this study is to analyse the preference of park characteristics for mental health restoration that interact by age moderator by urban dwellers in the urban park. This study employed a mixed method study using a survey (n=382) and semi-structured interviews (n=40) within the two urban parks in Kuala Lumpur: Perdana Botanical Park and Titiwangsa Lake Park. The result showed that the prospects dimension is a significant indicator of mental health restoration. The survey data was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS SEM) and thematic analysis for semi-structured interviews. Nevertheless, this study contains certain constraints when the statistics exhibited age bias due to the higher level of activity and responsiveness exhibited by young people towards this investigation. Notably, this finding can aid landscape architects and urban designers in enhancing the quality of life in urban areas and in planning park designs that cater to users' demands.