Traffic congestion, pollution, and work-related pressures are making urban life increasingly exhausting. But did you know that simply sitting under a tree or taking a walk in a park can serve as a natural form of psychological therapy?

This study was inspired by the conditions in Balikpapan, a city that experienced a 90% increase in the number of vehicles within a year. The surge in traffic has contributed to worsening congestion and air pollution, leading to higher levels of urban stress. As a result, residents are more vulnerable to mental fatigue caused by daily routines and the demands of city life.

Based on Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory (ART), natural environments can help the mind “recover” from mentally demanding activities. Research conducted by a team from Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) found that urban parks serve not only as recreational spaces but also as restorative environments that can help alleviate mental fatigue, reduce stress, and improve the psychological well-being of the community.

The study analyzed three urban parks in Balikpapan: Taman Tiga Generasi, Taman Bekapai, and Taman Monpera. The results showed that the physical conditions of these parks ranged from moderate to fairly good. Trees and ground-cover vegetation emerged as the most attractive features, while water elements were considered relatively weak, particularly in Taman Monpera.

The research also examined the relationship between the parks’ physical characteristics and their restorative functions, which consist of four key dimensions: being away, compatibility, extent, and fascination. Being away refers to a park’s ability to help visitors feel detached from their daily routines. Compatibility reflects how well the environment supports visitors’ needs and activities. Extent relates to the sense of spaciousness and connectedness within the space, while fascination describes the natural elements that effortlessly capture visitors’ attention.

At Taman Tiga Generasi, the restorative function score reached 82.6, with the highest score recorded in the extent dimension at 85.47. The park also demonstrated a significant negative correlation with stress levels, measured at 67.58, indicating that better park conditions are associated with lower visitor stress levels.

Taman Bekapai achieved a restorative score of 81.42, performing particularly well in the compatibility dimension with a score of 81.6. However, it did not show a significant relationship with visitors’ stress levels, which stood at 65.63.

Meanwhile, Taman Monpera recorded a restorative score of 80.1 and a stress level score of 62.59. Although the park exhibited a positive relationship between restorative function and visitor experience, its restorative qualities were not yet strong enough to significantly reduce psychological stress.

Overall, the study identified nine key physical indicators that consistently support restorative functions across all urban parks. Features such as trees, pedestrian pathways, park lighting, public restrooms, and natural rock elements were found to be among the most influential factors. The more complete, accessible, and comfortable these features are, the greater the potential for urban parks to serve as “natural healing spaces” for residents coping with the pressures of urban living.

This research was conducted by Sarah Membala, S.Ars., M.URP., a lecturer in the Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Study Program at Institut Teknologi Kalimantan, together with URP students Nur Herliana Putri, Syawaludin Ali Imron, Bagus Maarif, Salma Nur Syahda, and Naufal Aziz Fikrillah.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, there is no need to seek an expensive escape. Visit a nearby urban park, sit beneath a tree, take a deep breath, and let nature provide a free therapy session for both body and mind.