A Field Evaluation of Green Space Quality and Psychological Well-Being Among Women in Chitgar Neighborhood, Tehran

This study investigates the relationship between the environmental quality of neighborhood green spaces and women’s psychological well-being in the Chitgar district of Tehran. Using a mixed field-based approach, the research combined structured environmental audits with user surveys based on the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). Observations were conducted across multiple neighborhood parks to assess accessibility, maintenance, lighting, amenities, and perceived safety. Results revealed that while basic amenities and sanitary facilities were generally adequate, participants reported only moderate levels of restorative experience, particularly in aspects of stress reduction, energy renewal, and emotional tranquility. Deficiencies in maintenance, poor pathway conditions, and insufficient nighttime illumination emerged as the most significant barriers to achieving full restorative benefits. Moreover, perceptions of safety were spatially uneven, with women feeling more secure in well-lit, socially active areas and less comfortable in isolated or poorly maintained sites. The findings suggest that the psychological value of urban green spaces depends less on their size and more on their qualitative and experiential attributes. Enhancing lighting design, maintenance consistency, and perceived safety—especially through gender-sensitive planning and management—can substantially strengthen the restorative function of neighborhood parks for women in dense urban environments.

کلیدواژه ها:

Urban green space ، Psychological well-being ، Women’s safety ، Restorative environments ، Neighborhood parks ، Tehran