Fractal dimension as a tool for defining and measuring naturalness

Dr. Caroline Hagerhall, SLU, Department of Landscape Planning Alnarp, Sweden

http://www.lpal.slu.se/personal/carolineh.htm

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What constitutes the naturalness?

What is it in nature that makes attending to it effortless?

Frank Gehry's model for the New Guggenheim Museum, New YorkGehry, Model for the Guggenheim Museum Gaudi, La Sagrada Familia

Jason Pollock painting

Natural fractal pattern

Sierpinski triangle

Elliot wave fractal

Koch curve D 1,26 Coast of Norway D 1,5

Hagerhall, C. M., Purcell, T. & Taylor, R. (2004). Fractal Dimension of Landscape Silhouette Outlines as a Predictor of Landscape Preference. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 24, 247-255.

Naturalness judgements are less affected by subjects´ background

Consensus for a fractal dimension around 1.3 as most natural, and most preferred

Waves and clouds have a dimension of 1.3

Fractal scenes with a dimension 1.3 - 1.5 have shown a damping effect on stress.

Can fractal properties help define general concepts like complexity and coherence?

Can fractal properties, like self similarity between scales, explain why attending to natural environments is effortless?

The fractal dimension 1.3 is of particular importance to perceived naturalness.

….and possibly also to positive psychological and physiological responses?

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