MapPing

Green space planning in urban environments

This image illustrates the dominate mental state of participants walking through downtown Chattanooga (Meditative= blue, Anxious= red). Areas with low traffic, better views, and more green space induce a meditative state. Construction, traffic, and distraction induce anxiety. Implications for urban planning and mental health are evident. Of particular interest is the central bridge going over the river. This pedestrian-only bridge has the same view as the other bridges, but induces more meditation and less anxiety.

The intersection of activity and place (Chattanooga Marathon)

The two images above illustrate the differences between a first time marathon runner (left) and a much more experienced distance runner (right). The colors indicate hot (red) and cold (blue) spots for inward-attention. This mental state often arises when the participant is coping with fatigue, dissociating with pain, or striving to push through a wall. The variance of color in the left image demonstrates the wide range of mental changes encountered by a newer runner. The lack of color in the right image is likely due to better preparation, expectations, and energy usage during the race.