New study finds historic buildings contribute to urban scenicness as much as trees and water

A new study from psychologists has found that historic buildings significantly enhance the scenicness of English cities, offering aesthetic and potential well-being benefits comparable to those provided by natural features such as forests and lakes.

Dr Eugene Malthouse, Research Fellow in the University of Nottingham’s School of Economics, and Dr Sidney Sherborne, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Warwick, analysed thousands of photographs from Scenic-or-Not – an online platform where the public rates the scenicness of UK landscapes – and combined them with data from Historic England’s National Heritage List.

The findings, which have been published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, revealed that photographs of urban areas which featured a listed (legally protected historic) building received scenicness scores that were 25 per cent higher than the average urban score.

 Co-author of the study, Dr Malthouse, said: “These findings highlight the positive contribution of historic buildings to urban environments and provide empirical support for their continued preservation as public goods.”

Previous studies have shown that spending time in more scenic areas is associated with greater happiness and health, making it important to understand how scenicness is influenced by environmental features. Urban areas, where natural features have often been replaced by buildings, are generally perceived as less scenic than rural areas. However, this research identifies historic buildings as a source of urban scenic quality.

The study, which was funded by the European Research Council, found that the positive effect on scenicness increases with a building’s historical or architectural significance. Grade I (exceptional interest) and Grade II* (particularly important buildings of more than special interest) listed buildings — the highest categories of national importance — were associated with greater increases in scenicness scores than Grade II (special interest) buildings. Structures listed earlier, and those dating from earlier centuries, also yielded higher scenicness scores.

The findings suggest that heritage designations made by experts and public perceptions of scenic beauty tend to align, with buildings deemed more culturally or architecturally important being experienced as more visually pleasing.

The study has significant implications for policymakers, planners, and developers. Scenic environments — whether natural or historic — are known to be associated with greater happiness and health. Preserving historic buildings is therefore not just about protecting cultural heritage, it is also a strategy for enhancing public well-being and creating urban spaces where people want to spend time.

Dr Sherborne added: “The key question now is why historic buildings consistently score higher for scenicness. Whether it's their natural materials, human-scale proportions, ornamental details that echo natural forms, or even the weathering effects of time, understanding their scenic quality could help to guide contemporary urban design.”