Visual and audio landscape assessment in open green areas

The relationship between humans and the environment is based on mutual interaction, and the environment also influences an individual's sensory and psychological structure. Open green spaces are important areas that reduce stress, support mental well-being, and promote social interaction. Research has shown that, in spatial perception, auditory elements are as influential as visual components. Within the scope of this study, a literature review was conducted on the evaluation of visual and auditory landscapes, and relevant information from these studies was presented. Five open green spaces in Trabzon were selected as the study areas, and the research consisted of three stages. In the second and third stages, which formed the application part, video recordings taken in the five areas were used to allow participants to experience the auditory, visual, and combined visual–auditory characteristics of the spaces, after which they evaluated the features of all the areas. As a result, the data obtained revealed how visual and auditory landscape elements influence human perception in the evaluation of landscapes. The auditory and visual landscape perceptions of users in the study areas were evaluated in detail. The findings showed that the areas differed significantly in terms of sensory quality, and these differences directly affected user preferences. Among the areas evaluated in terms of auditory, visual, and combined visual–auditory characteristics, those with natural elements were the most preferred, while those with artificial elements were the least preferred. Thus, it was determined that auditory and visual landscapes are factors that directly influence the user experience. Another aim of the study is to contribute to the literature—where the combined evaluation of visual and auditory landscapes has been addressed only to a limited extent—by providing scientific evidence on how such an approach can enrich and enhance user experiences.