Abstract

While the restorative benefits of residential environments are known, the influence of residents' physical activity on their perceptions of restorativeness in different settlements is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mediating and moderating roles of residents' physical activities and seasons on restorative perceptions using survey data from three settlements in Harbin, China, involving a baseline survey conducted in June 2023 and questionnaires administered at 30-day intervals from July to December 2023 (534 interviews). Residents' restorative perceptions and physical activity levels were highest in autumn, with settlement quality having a seasonal moderating effect and physical activity having a mediating effect.