TAGRA 2025

Today, with increasing urban life and the isolation brought about by digitalization, the number of physical and mental illnesses is rapidly increasing. Furthermore, the fact that the proportion of disabled individuals in the global population is approximately 16%, and in Turkey it is at 10-13% level, clearly demonstrates the need for innovative, inclusive, and accessible landscape designs that support the development of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills of individuals with special needs. In this context, horticultural therapy gardens (HTGs), which are among nature-based solutions, have an important role to play. HTGs utilize the healing power of interaction with nature through a systematic approach. Through processes such as plant cultivation, contact with soil, interaction with sensory stimuli, and participation in garden activities, HTGs reduce stress levels, increase psychological resilience, and encourage social participation. While HTGs are not widely used in many institutions and spatial planning processes today, they can be applied in a wide variety of settings, from rehabilitation centers and educational institutions to hospitals and nursing homes. This study aims to reveal the role of horticultural therapy gardens in nature-based healing processes, evaluate their design principles, and scientifically examine their therapeutic effects on different user groups. The study evaluates how HTGs should be designed for a wide variety of purposes, the benefits they provide to different user groups (individuals with disabilities, the elderly, chronic patients, individuals receiving psychological support, stress-related risk groups, etc.), and which components enhance the therapeutic effect, through a literature review and national and international case analyses. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that HTBs are not only an aesthetic landscape element but also a critical landscape component supporting physical, mental, and social health in cities. The goal is to strengthen public health, improve quality of life, and create sustainable, inclusive healing spaces by promoting this approach.