EFFECTS OF PUBLIC GREEN SPACE’S RESTORATIVENESS ON VISITOR’S STRESS RECOVERY (STUDY CASE: ALUN-ALUN MERDEKA KOTA MALANG)

• Main Author: Rembulan Widya Sishartami, Dyah
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Perencanaan wilayah
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/83281
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

One of the leading causes of mental disorders, which is the largest cause of disability worldwide, is stress. This issue of mental health disorders occurs in almost all major cities, including Malang, which has the highest number of deaths due to mental disorders in East Java. To address this global issue, this study aims to examine the effect of the restorative function of public green spaces on stress recovery among visitors, with a case study of Alun-Alun Merdeka in Malang City. This study uses a mixed-method approach with a deductive approach involving 109 visitors of Alun-Alun Merdeka. Visitors were asked to complete a questionnaire that identified their perceptions of the park's restorative elements and their impact on stress levels using the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) and the Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS). The research method employed in this study uses quantitative statistical analysis and qualitative content analysis. The results indicate that Alun-Alun Merdeka possesses restorative environmental characteristics that significantly impact stress recovery, with the restorative function component "being away" having the most influence. Visitor perceptions also resulted in criteria for restorative green open spaces, including: having trees or green walls, incorporating soundscape elements, and being located more than 1 km away from residential areas for the "being away" component; possessing biodiversity, deflected vistas, and varied hardscape materials for the "fascination" component; featuring harmony, focal points, and border/zone separation elements for the "coherence" component; and having abundant vegetation, sports facilities, varied seating areas, and interactive entertainment for the "compatibility" component. The results of this study are expected to be used by the government or city planners in designing restorative green open spaces to enhance the restorative effects of green spaces in urban areas.