Assessing the Wellbeing and Therapeutic Potential of Urban Green Spaces : An Indicator-Based Framework and Cross-Cultural Comparison of Community Gardens

Zhao, Yuxuan and Feng, Shuning (2026) Assessing the Wellbeing and Therapeutic Potential of Urban Green Spaces : An Indicator-Based Framework and Cross-Cultural Comparison of Community Gardens. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 10: 100378. ISSN 2666-5581

Abstract

Amid rapid urbanization, everyday green spaces have become essential to urban health infrastructure. Yet, the specific ecological, sensory, and par- ticipatory mechanisms through which community gardens support mental and social well-being remain insufficiently understood. This study develops a transparent, indicator-based framework to assess the therapeutic poten- tial of urban green spaces. Drawing on four documented cases—two profes- sionally designed therapeutic landscapes (Japan, USA) and two participa- tory community gardens (China, USA)—we conducted a systematic desk- based audit using publicly available materials. Indicators across three bun- dles—ecology–sensory, space–afordance, and participation–governance—were normalized and aggregated into a composite Therapeutic Potential Com- posite (TPC) index. Results reveal three distinct pathways to therapeutic outcomes: design-led, participatory, and balanced. Professionally designed landscapes achieved higher ecological and spatial scores, while community- driven projects demonstrated stronger governance resilience. Despite difer- ing configurations, comparable therapeutic potential emerged across cases. The study contributes a replicable method for evaluating health-promoting landscapes and identifies context-sensitive strategies for embedding therapeu- tic landscapes principles into community-scale green spaces. These findings ofer actionable insights for integrating nature-based design, participatory governance, and health equity into urban planning and policy.