• PROJECT CODE: N5-0487
• PROJECT TITLE: Where do you go to recharge your mind? Exploring restorative environments in two historic towns in Hungary and Slovenia
• PROJECT TEAM: Andreja Kutnar, PhD (leader); Michael David Burnard, PhD; Tim Mavrič
• PERIOD: 1. 3. 2026 – 28. 2. 2029
• BUDGET: 124.909,29 EUR
• FINANCING: Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS)
• PROJECT COORDINATOR: Faculty of Humanities, University of Primorska (Slovenia)

This bilateral basic research from University of Primorska, Koper (UP) and Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest (ELTE) targets the exploration of restorative environments, places that may alleviate the social, physical and psychological strains of everyday life. The theoretical background originates in the attention restoration theory (ART, R. Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989) and the psycho-evolutionary theory of stress reduction (SRT, Ulrich, 1983). According to ART, experiencing certain environments has an effect to restore mental fatigue due to four characteristics that such settings comprise: being away, fascination, coherence, and compatibility (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). SRT states that the psychological recovery caused particularly by natural environments has clear positive physiological effects, resulting in reduced stress level, and increased well-being (Ulrich, 1983). While both ART and SRT are mostly associated with natural environments, there’s an emerging branch of literature on restorative urban environments and particularly historic settings. Taking these approaches further, we intend to examine restorative environments in both countries, specifically through the case studies of Izola/Isola in Slovenia and Szentendre in Hungary. Building on the expertise of the transnational and transdisciplinary research group, we will use both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The novelty in our research is that in addition to analysing the physical characteristics, accessibility and sensory impressions that influence the restorative process of various urban and historic settings, we intend to investigate individual differences, considering socio-economic status, preferences for different places, personality and value orientations, social significance assessments and attachment patterns. The investigation will encompass four major topics: (1) Built historic environment: heritage buildings, sites and cities; (2) The local urban context of the restorative environment: case studies in Hungarian and Slovenian small cities; (3) Multivocality and the qualities of historic space; (4) Space syntax analysis of the two cities. The proposed project links the issue of a sustainable, healthy and pleasant living environments with the potentials of participation, thus responding to the development challenges in Slovenia and Hungary. We will develop a new transdisciplinary and participatory approach, connecting psychology, architecture, urban planning, conservation and material sciences. This will position Slovenia and Hungary as important players in the development of knowledge on restorative environments. The methodology will also be directly useful for decision-makers and investors in the built environment, enabling them to assess social needs, evaluate spatial qualities, and guide effective planning interventions. The research will comprise four Work Packages: WPI.: Preliminary desktop and field research: Rationalize the existing literature, identify the research options that provide the best tools for mapping restorativeness and select/develop the instruments to be used for the measurement. Carry out expert field observations and spatial analysis. WPII.: Quantitative research: Identical online surveys in Slovenia and Hungary in both languages. Participants will assess first their favourite places then selected urban historic spaces with various spatial characteristics in terms of the perceived restorativeness. We will also ask about their socioeconomic background and personality and value orientations. WPIII.: Field research: Site specific field research in the selected towns in Slovenia (Izola/Isola) and Hungary (Szentendre). We will attempt an experimental method (working term “transgenerational sensorial and memory group talk&walk”) that merges methods of researching the qualities and values of historic space, the “group memory talk”, with “walking methodologies” used in sensorial anthropology.