Decoding the sensory-behavioral pathway to wellness: a PPGIS-driven mechanistic investigation of multisensory landscape interactions in urban parks

Urban parks are increasingly recognized as key tourist and recreational environments that significantly enhance visitor experiences, satisfaction, and overall health. However, the complex interplay between multisensory stimuli, visitor behavior, and health outcomes remains poorly understood, limiting effective tourism and park management practices. This study introduces an innovative Public Participatory Geographic Information System (PPGIS)-based mixed-methods framework to systematically capture real-time sensory experiences and spatial behaviors of park visitors. Utilizing data collected from 598 surveyed and 60 geotracked visitors across diverse urban parks in Chengdu, China, we identify distinct sensory-behavioral pathways that directly and indirectly contribute to visitor health outcomes. Demographic differences such as age, gender, and education notably influenced visitor experiences and preferences. Specifically, landscape elements such as gentle slopes and bridges were closely linked to positive auditory experiences, whereas cultural activities corresponded strongly to features like artificial rockeries and potted plants. The findings not only enrich theoretical understanding of sensory interactions and visitor behaviors but also offer practical implications for sustainable tourism management, enabling park designers and policymakers to enhance visitor satisfaction and public health through evidence-based spatial interventions.