How can color be integrated into urban design to enhance psychological well-being? How can virtual reality (VR) contribute to urban design research? A recent study led by UDP researcher Lanqing Gu used VR to examine how colorful ground murals on a gray commercial street impact users’ mood and the perceived restorative potential of the environment. The findings are published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, a leading peer-reviewed journal renowned for its impact on environmental psychology research.

A section of Rheinstrasse near Luisenplatz was replicated in VR, where ground murals with different color schemes (warm, cool, and achromatic) and patterns (curvilinear and angular) were applied. Eighty-three participants were assigned to one of the two pattern groups and experienced virtual walks through each color condition, reporting their mood and perceptions of key restorative qualities: fascination, being away, and coherence. Additionally, mean heart rate during the walk was measured by a wearable sensor.

Key Findings:

- Color played a critical role in shaping the restorative experience of ground murals.

- Cool and achromatic colors combined with curvilinear patterns enhanced perceived restoration.

- Warm-colored murals increased energetic arousal but reduced relaxation.

- Chromatic designs were associated with greater pleasure and stimulation than achromatic ones.

- No significant differences in heart rate were observed across conditions.

This study is the first to systematically pair street-level ground mural design features with both physiological and psychological responses in a VR-based experimental setting. The findings offer valuable insights into cost-effective urban design interventions that can support mental health and well-being.

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