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Assessing Neighbourhood Preference: An Evaluation of Environmental Features within Small-Scale Open Spaces

Author

Listed:
  • Shuyan Han

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
    Fujian Province University Key Laboratory of Intelligent and Low-Carbon Building Technology, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China)

  • Dexuan Song

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Feng Shi

    (Fujian Province University Key Laboratory of Intelligent and Low-Carbon Building Technology, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
    School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China)

  • Hu Du

    (School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, Cherie Booth Building, Byrom St., Liverpool L3 3AF, UK)

  • Yuhao Zhang

    (School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Mingjun Yang

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China)

Abstract

Well-designed urban public spaces often attract residents and play a critical role in improving people’s wellbeing. Many studies have examined the importance of one or a few environmental features in urban public spaces, such as the size of the space, greenery coverage, seating arrangements, recreational facilities, etc. However, there is a lack of systematic understanding regarding (1) which environmental features have a significant impact on the usage of urban public spaces and (2) how these features influence people’s environmental preferences. To answer these questions, this investigation adopts a two-fold analytical structure: (1) first, an expert inquiry was conducted to evaluate the environmental features, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to determine the weight of each influencing factor; then, (2) on-site measurements were conducted across 104 spaces, accompanied by structured interviews with users of the spaces, based on which a decision tree analysis was employed to elucidate the decision-making processes of residents regarding their outdoor activities. The main findings of this investigation are as follows: (1) the site size, internal pedestrian flow, sky view factor, green-vision rate, and seat–circumference ratio are primary indicators affecting outdoor space usage, which are used in the objective evaluation index; (2) advantage value intervals for the sky view factor, green-vision rate, and seat–circumference ratio variables were calculated, and these three factors were found to significantly outweigh site size and internal pedestrian flow in terms of their effect on spatial preference. The interaction between the green-vision rate and seat–circumference ratio can affect the environmental preferences of residents: spaces with more seats exhibit lower requirements for greenery, while spaces with fewer seats should prioritise trees and greenery. Based on this study, an index based on influencing factors is proposed, enabling a better understanding of the environmental features affecting the usage of space. This study also provides valuable insights for future neighbourhood design through investigating the environmental preferences of residents, as well as the importance of various spatial features and their associated advantage value intervals.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuyan Han & Dexuan Song & Feng Shi & Hu Du & Yuhao Zhang & Mingjun Yang, 2024. "Assessing Neighbourhood Preference: An Evaluation of Environmental Features within Small-Scale Open Spaces," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-24, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:4:p:531-:d:1377094
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yang Zhang & Agnes E. Van den Berg & Terry Van Dijk & Gerd Weitkamp, 2017. "Quality over Quantity: Contribution of Urban Green Space to Neighborhood Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-10, May.
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