Integrating sensory plant compositions in public spaces

Abstract

Present study explores the basic concepts of sensory gardens design, highlighting their characteristics and qualities. It also presents the analysis of how sensory compositions can be integrated in different places, starting from case studies such as the sensory garden in the urban space, in special schools and in public institutions of daily care, addressed, for example, to the elderly. An essential part of the paper will be related to the theory of the five senses and how the therapeutic plantscape can influence these senses. This type of landscape is generally a plant-dominated environment intentionally designed to facilitate interaction with the healing elements of nature that promote human health and well-being. The research starts from the belief that every landscape has the ability to stimulate the five human senses, but landscapes with therapeutic plants in particular do so to a greater degree than others. The work will bring to the fore the importance of integrating sensory aspects in the design and arrangement of public spaces, offering a new perspective on how nature can be used for the benefit of health and leading to the creation of sustainable, inclusive communities for all social categories, in particular of the disadvantaged.