Preference for Urban Buildings as a Function of Age and Nature Context

Abstract

Preferences for urban buildings were studied as a function of building age and nature context. The primary finding was that old buildings were preferred over contemporary buildings when building care was equated statistically, but the reverse was true in the absence of such control. Thus, when older buildings are disliked, poor maintenance is likely to be a contributing factor. A natural context enhanced building preference, but only when it was well maintained. In general, rated building care and nature care were positively related to preference and to each other. Thus the results highlighted the substantial impact of building age and both building and nature care on building preference. Other analyses suggested that the positive impacts of age and nature context on preference were at least party mediated by their generally positive impacts on variables such as complexity, mystery, and coherence.