An empirical research framework for the aesthetic appreciation of the urban environment

The present article aims to construct an empirical research framework for the aesthetic appreciation of the urban environment. By applying the concept of “environmental aesthetics” to “consumer aesthetics,” the present article remarks that urban environments are considered as aesthetic environments when they resemble natural environments. This article proposes an empirical research framework composed of two factors. The first factor is the similarity of the urban environment to the natural environment. This factor is classified into two categories: (1) assimilation into the natural environment and (2) natural change caused by the passage of time. The second factor is the consumer's relationship with the urban environment. This factor is also classified into two categories, borrowing the two terms of environmental aesthetics: (1) “engaged” and (2) “observational.” This article also discusses the research methods appropriate for this framework.