Towards Healthier Minds and Cities: Insights from Environmental Education, Emotion Regulation, and Urban Park Design

Numerous studies emphasize the value of integrating nature in everyday life to support cognitive and emotional functioning, enhance psychological well-being, and promote sustainable development. T hree lines of research‒aiming at fostering healthier individuals and more environmentally con scious communities‒are presented. T hefirstresearchexploreshownatureexposureaidsemotionregulationfollowingnegativemoodin duction, through two experimental studies. In the first study (within-subjects), participants viewed videos of different environments. Aserialmediationrevealedthatnaturevideosimprovedemotional outcomes via perceived restorativeness and adaptive strategies. In the second study (mixed design), VR scenarios were used to assess five environments. While emotion regulation strategies did not mediate effects, the perceived suitability of a location for down-regulation significantly influenced emotional recovery. T he second research, developed with national stakeholders (e.g., Assoverde and Confagricoltura), identifies key indicators for healthy urban parks (presence of blue elements, floral coverage, chro matic diversity, and faunal biodiversity). By using AI-generated images, each indicator’s impact on dependent variables (e.g., emotional reactions, restorativeness, and attractiveness) was tested. Findings support a framework for certifying “Health Parks”based on evidence-based psychological benefit. T he third research (e.g., PRIN 2022) examines effects of outdoor environmental education on Ital ian secondary school students from different regions. Results suggest that participation improves environmental knowledge, identity, and well-being indicators compared to a control group, with positive changes observed post-intervention across multiple psychological domains. Taken together, these lines highlight the importance of (virtual and real) nature exposure in promot ing emotional resilience, environmental knowledge and beliefs, and sustainability attitudes