Preference to home landscape: wildness or neatness?

This study explores students’ preferences toward natural and wild versus clean and neat residential landscapes using preference survey data. Based on the rating scores of four housing landscape designs, multinomial logit models were used to explore the potential influential factors on people's preferences, especially the wildness or neatness of the home landscape. The results suggest that students in agricultural economics, horticulture, and social sciences are more inclined to choose a neat, well-kept environment around their homes. In contrast, wildlife science students prefer more natural landscapes. This study also found that senior students and students from large cities also prefer well-maintained and artificial landscapes. Also, students who are members of an environmental group, and those whose parents have a better education, are more likely to choose a more natural landscape. The results would provide additional information for planners, developers, engineers, architects and foresters in building more livable communities which are aesthetically appealing but also ecologically sound.

Research highlights▶ Home landscapes with more trees are generally preferred. ▶ Students who majored in social sciences are more inclined to choose a neat, well-kept environment around their homes, while wildlife science students prefer more natural landscape. ▶ This study also found that senior students and students from large cities also prefer well-maintained and artificial landscapes. ▶ Students who are members of an environmental group, and those whose parents have a better education, are more likely to choose a more natural landscape.