ASSESSING PEOPLE-PLANT INTERACTIONS WITHIN INTERIOR SPACES IN BARTIN – TURKEY

Abstract

Integrating nature indoors strengthens the relationship between humans and nature and so it is also vital for physical and psychological health and comfort. In interior design, plants are one of the most essential elements of design that connect people to nature. This study reveals human-nature interactions within the scale of interior spaces in terms of participants’ preferences for indoor plants. This paper includes the socio-demographic characteristics of the people in Bartin city centre, Turkey and the evaluation of their use of interior plants and interior plant preferences. The study analyses the preferences of 201 urban residents in Bartin, the majority of whom were university graduates and residents of apartment buildings, by using a face-to-face questionnaire. Results include that participants mostly preferred plants with aesthetic features and relaxation was found to be the most important psychological effect of indoor plants. This study emphasises the importance of indoor plants in terms of interior comfort and positive psychological benefits. It provides information for future studies regarding the interactions between humans, plants and environments in small-scale cities with changing urbanisation. © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.