Rapid urbanization is forcing the need to build urban environments that promote healthy and sustainable human settlements with a view to reducing the risks of various diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that green rooftop spaces may stimulate restorative benefits and enhance their livability. However, this potential remains without empirical research support. To investigate the restoration of green rooftop spaces on human well-being, we conducted a field experiment using psychophysiology measurements. With the help of physiological indicators (SBP, DBP, HR, HRV) and psychological indicators (PRS, BPOMS), the changes of indicators in the experiment were analyzed. We recruited a total of 35 college students who were randomly assigned to one of four rooftop spaces for a field experiment. Physiological and psychological indicators were measured before and after recovery to analyze the effects of rooftop spaces on restorative benefits. Paired sample t-test results revealed that although there were differences in the physiological and psychological measurements related to environmental restorative benefits, both confirmed that green rooftop spaces exhibited stress-reduction effects on participants. Notably, all four rooftop spaces had psychophysiological restoration to varying degrees, with spaces featuring a higher degree of naturalness demonstrating better restoration. Furthermore, a grassy environment had effects on positive psychophysiological responses. Correlation analysis indicated that subjective perception evaluations of green rooftop spaces had positive effects on psychophysiological restoration. The results of the study are conducive to increasing awareness of the restorative value and potential of green rooftop spaces, which can be constructed by designers, thereby contributing to sustainable urban development.

This study examines the efficacy of biochar in improving water quality in urban artificial landscape water bodies. Three biochar types—wood biochar, coconut shell biochar, and apricot kernel biochar—were systematically evaluated, along with the purification effects of varying biochar dosages on landscape water. Water quality parameters were quantified using a multiparameter water quality meter, while the enhancement of visual aesthetics was validated through online questionnaires distributed to citizens. The findings include the following: All biochar types significantly reduced eutrophication indices and enhanced visual quality metrics, with coconut shell biochar demonstrating the most pronounced effects. The purification effect correlates with initial water quality and biochar dosage. Water bodies with poorer initial quality tend to show better purification results. While optimal biochar dosage improves water quality parameters, excessive application leads to decreased performance and potential water quality deterioration. Questionnaire analysis of visual preferences for the purified water showed that among biochar types, coconut shell biochar was most preferred (53.2%), followed by apricot kernel biochar (22.8%) and wood biochar (17.2%), while untreated water received the lowest preference (6.8%). When evaluating coconut shell biochar dosages, the 10 g/L treatment achieved the highest preference (67.4%), followed by 5 g/L (18.2%), while both the 15 g/L treatment and untreated water received notably lower preferences (7.1% and 7.3%, respectively). These findings highlight biochar as a promising tool for enhancing both the ecological and aesthetic qualities of urban water bodies, provided its application is carefully tailored to variable environmental conditions.