The Effects of Professional Design Training on Urban Public Space Perception: A Virtual Reality Study with Physiological and Psychological Measurements

Research article in Cities (IF:6.0)


The Effects of Professional Design Training on Urban Public Space Perception: A Virtual Reality Study with Physiological and Psychological Measurements
Research article in Cities (IF:6.0)

Li, Fu
李复

Research and Design for Health

Leveraging Extended Reality and Geospatial Technologies to Develop Nature-based Solutions for Promoting Human Health and Well-being

Featuring

EchoSphere: An Out-of-the-Box Synchronous Extended Reality Research Platform

This self-developed research platform enables synchronized multi-user virtual environmental experiences with data collection

  • Timeline-based experimental control
  • Diverse content integration (360° videos, 3D model, AIGC)
  • Real-time researcher-participant interaction
  • Integrated multi-modal data collection for analysis
  • Cost-effective deployment based on consumer-grade hardware

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Research

My research intersects environmental psychology, digital innovation, and human well-being, employing cutting-edge technologies to investigate human-environment interactions across multiple scales.

Extended Reality Research Methods and Development

Developing advanced Extended Reality (XR) platform, advancing methodological frontiers in environmental psychology and behavior research

Environmental Health and Nature-based Solutions

Investigating how environmental elements or factors affect human health and well-being, from experimental studies to spatial analysis

Digital Therapeutics Solution and Clinical Application

Developing and evaluating technology-enabled health interventions, particularly focusing on nature-based XR solutions for clinical applications

Urban and Geo-Intelligence

Leveraging geospatial technologies and big data analytics to optimize urban environments for better living

Evidence-Based Environmental Design

Utilizing eye-tracking, physiological measurement, and other advanced technologies to inform evidence-based design practices

Cultural Difference in Environment

Examining the cultural differences and its influence on perception and experience base on phenomenological approaches

Selected Publication

  • Li, F.*, Mostajeran, F., Steinicke, F., Browning, M.H.E.M. (2024). Extended Reality in Environmental Neuroscience Research. In: Kühn, S. (eds) Environmental Neuroscience. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-64699-7_17
  • Li, F., Zhang, Z., Xu, L., & Yin, J. (2025). The effects of professional design training on urban public space perception: A virtual reality study with physiological and psychological measurements. Cities, 158, 105654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2024.105654
  • Bardhan, M., Li, F., Browning, M. H. E. M., et al. (2024). From Space to Street: A Systematic Review of the Associations between Visible Greenery and Bluespace in Street View Imagery and Mental Health. Environmental Research, 120213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.120213
  • Browning, M. H. E. M., … Li, F., et al. (2023). Measuring the 3-30-300 rule to help cities meet nature access thresholds. Science of The Total Environment, 167739.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167739
  • Sun, Y., Li, F., He, T., et al. (2023). Physiological and affective responses to green space virtual reality among pregnant women. Environmental Research, 216, 114499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.114499

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Education and Employment

Clemson University

  • Ph.D. Candidate in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Management
  • Immersive Technology Development Lead at Virtual Reality and Nature Lab
  • Spearheaded cutting-edge research initiatives in Extended Reality (XR) and healthcare applications, resulting in EchoSphereTandem VR™, and other XR-related research and interventions

Peking University

  • Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) at College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
  • Former Executive Director and Lab Manager at Digital Technology and GeoDesign Lab
  • Directed multidisciplinary research projects in Environmental Perception, Smart City, and Urban Optimization

Teaching

Bridging Environmental Education with Emerging Technologies

As an educator with experience at universities in both China and the United States, I have developed teaching expertise across fields including land management, urban design, landscape architecture, park and recreation management.

I integrate traditional teaching methods with emerging technologies like VR and AI to create engaging learning environments through experiential learning. I bring diverse perspectives to the classroom, emphasizing hands-on projects and individualized guidance for students’ growth.

My courses always connect theoretical foundations with real-world applications. Students could collaborate with industry partners, engage in community projects, and utilize emerging tools for environmental issues. This comprehensive approach has proven effective across different contexts, as demonstrated by teaching evaluations and students’ achievements.

As an educator with extensive experience in Chinese and American universities, I blend traditional teaching with emerging technologies to create hands-on learning experiences. My courses bridge theory and practice through industry partnerships, consistently achieving strong learning outcomes.

Teaching at a Glance

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