As important linear public spaces, urban greenways are highly important for improving public health. Many studies have proven the benefits of urban greenways for human well-being, but fewer studies have focused on the impact of their specific environmental types and characteristics on physical and mental health. In this study, 100 subjects participated in a comparative experiment on three types of urban greenways (urban roads, urban parks, and urban rivers), and corresponding physiological indicator (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], and pulse) and psychological indicator (perceived restorativeness scale [PRS] and positive and negative affect schedule [PANAS]) data were collected. The results indicated that (1) different greenway environment types lead to different physiological and psychological states; (2) urban park-type greenways (SBP [t = 2.37, p = 0.020], DBP [t = 2.06, p = 0.042], PANAS = 2.80, PRS = 5.39) have the greatest physical and mental recovery benefits, followed by urban river-type greenways (SBP [t = 2.84, p = 0.006], DBP [t = 1.29, p = 0.200], PANAS = 2.30, PRS= 5.02) and urban road-type greenways (SBP [t = 0.78, p = 0.440], DBP [t = 0.37, p = 0.716], PANAS = 2.00, PRS = 4.15); (3) plant color and layer diversity have a significant positive impact on the mental health benefits of the three greenway types; (4) the aesthetics of waterscapes and ornaments can significantly improve the perceived restoration ability of urban river-type greenways; and (5) the comfort of pathways and facilities can effectively promote the psychological recovery potential of urban road-type greenways. These findings systematically demonstrate for the first time the differences in restoration potential among urban greenways of different environmental types and summarize the key landscape characteristic predictors influencing the restoration potential of various types of urban greenways. Our research provides new ideas for proactive greenway interventions for physical and mental health and for enriching the restorative environmental science system.

The restorative effects of various environmental factors within urban forests on physical and mental health exhibit significant differences. Specifically, vegetation types and topographical slope positions are key elements contributing to the environmental heterogeneity of urban forests. However, there is a lack of studies that have concurrently examined the health restoration effects of both factors. This study conducted an empirical experiment on university students in urban forests during the autumn season, investigating the effects of different vegetation types and slope positions on physiological and psychological restoration, and identifying the key environmental factors contributing to these effects. The results show the following: (1) Urban forests with different vegetation types exhibit varying restorative effects, with coniferous forests offering greater physiological restoration benefits than coniferous–broadleaf mixed forests. (2) Slope position affects both physiological and psychological restoration. In coniferous forests, the restorative effects on physical and mental health are greater at the top and midslope positions compared to the bottom slope position; in coniferous–broadleaf mixed forests, the best physiological restoration effects occur at the midslope position. (3) The key environmental factors influencing physiological restoration in urban coniferous forests are panoramic green coverage and elevation. (4) In urban coniferous–broadleaf mixed forests, temperature, humidity, and wind speed are the key factors affecting physiological restoration. This study reveals the restorative differences in urban forests under different vegetation types and slope positions, identifies the key environmental factors influencing health restoration, and provides a theoretical basis for further research on the impact of urban forests on human health. Future urban forest layout and design should fully consider the characteristics of different slope positions, optimize microclimate regulation, and maximize their role in promoting public health.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of understory spaces and plants on human well-being, but most spatial research has focused on a horizontal perspective. Additionally, there is a lack of research on the effects of plant color on human recovery, especially with respect to color proportions. This study classifies the leaf colors of trees in autumn, which are observed from a looking-up perspective, into green, red, and yellow. On this basis, we created monochromatic, two-color, and three-color groups with varying color proportions to assess their recovery effects and preferences. A total of 30 participants participated in this experiment, and their physiological, psychological, and preference-related indicators were evaluated. The results revealed that the following. (1) The two-color groups had the greatest reduction effect on systolic blood pressure. Monochromatic groups were most effective at reducing diastolic blood pressure. The three-color groups had the greatest effect on lowering the pulse rate. (2) EEG responses varied by color type. (3) The three-color groups had the best recovery effects on the psychological measures. (4) The three-color groups were most favored by participants, with a red–yellow–green ratio of 0.2/0.4/0.4 being the most preferred. These findings demonstrate the differing recovery potentials of various leaf color proportions from a looking-up perspective. This study can provide valuable references for the planning and design of urban forest parks, supplementing the theoretical foundation and research framework for evaluating and creating environments that meet people’s restorative needs.