The Possibility of Sustainable Urban Horticulture Based on Nature Therapy

Population growth and increased stress caused by urbanization have led to social problems that are predicted to intensify in the future. In these conditions, the recently established ”nature therapy” has revealed that an environment rich in various plant life significantly contributes to the relief...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Na Lu, Chorong Song, Takanori Kuronuma, Harumi Ikei, Yoshifumi Miyazaki, Michiko Takagaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-06-01
Series:Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/12/5058
Description
Summary:Population growth and increased stress caused by urbanization have led to social problems that are predicted to intensify in the future. In these conditions, the recently established ”nature therapy” has revealed that an environment rich in various plant life significantly contributes to the relief of physical and mental stress. Meanwhile, from the perspective of reduction in the energy required for transportation and the retention of plant freshness, urban horticulture, in which plant life exists harmoniously with the city, has attracted considerable attention. Interactions between humans and plants in urban horticulture are considered to contribute to the good health and wellbeing of people. Therefore, we incorporate human-centered thinking based on nature therapy into horticultural produce-centered thinking based on conventional urban horticulture. By introducing a pioneering urban horticulture plant factory as an example, we propose the possibility of sustainable urban horticulture based on nature therapy.
ISSN:2071-1050