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Outdoor Space Quality Mapping by Combining Accessibility, Openness, and Microclimate: A Case Study in a Neighborhood Park in Shanghai, China

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  • Cong Tao

    (Department of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Jiaxin Li

    (Department of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Dao Zhou

    (Department of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Jiamin Sun

    (Department of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Di Peng

    (Department of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

  • Dayi Lai

    (Department of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China)

Abstract

The vitality of outdoor space is largely determined by its quality, which encompasses many factors such as traffic accessibility, openness, microclimate, etc. Creating space with high quality can attract more visitors and contribute to urban vitality and sustainability. Visualization of quality distribution can aid the design and management of high-quality outdoor spaces. In this study, we developed a method for generating an integrated outdoor space quality map by normalizing, weighting, and summing up the traffic accessibility, openness, and microclimate distributions in the space. Field surveys were conducted on a neighborhood park in Shanghai, China, to obtain data to determine the relative importance of the studied factors. Integrated mapping was then performed on the park as a case study. As for accessibility, since the park only has one entrance, the metric step distance (MSD) increased with the distance from that entrance, indicating poor accessibility. The high openness found in the central areas of the park indicate that people may easily notice the central spaces and conduct activities there. The microclimate map denoted by physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) shows that in winter in Shanghai, the distribution of heat stress is mainly dominated by solar radiation. By integrating the distributions of accessibility, openness, and microclimate, we found that some spaces had better space quality than others. Based on the comprehensive map, we proposed a series of design strategies. The method developed in this study provides a quantitative tool to design outdoor spaces with high quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Cong Tao & Jiaxin Li & Dao Zhou & Jiamin Sun & Di Peng & Dayi Lai, 2022. "Outdoor Space Quality Mapping by Combining Accessibility, Openness, and Microclimate: A Case Study in a Neighborhood Park in Shanghai, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3570-:d:773965
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cohen, D.A. & McKenzie, T.L. & Sehgal, A. & Williamson, S. & Golinelli, D. & Lurie, N., 2007. "Contribution of public parks to physical activity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(3), pages 509-514.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhaolian Xing & Ribing Zhao & Weimin Guo, 2024. "From traditional to digital contexts: new characteristics of the public’s spatial perception of urban streets in the age of technology," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Xiaoxia Bai & Xinxin Li & Ding Yan, 2022. "The Perceived Restorativeness of Outdoor Spatial Characteristics for High School Adolescents: A Case Study from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Yiming Song & Wang Zhang & Yunze Deng & Hongzhi Mo & Yuan Li, 2025. "Decoding Spatial Vitality in Historic Districts: A Grey Relational Analysis of Multidimensional Built Environment Factors in Shanghai’s Zhangyuan," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-25, September.
    4. Nadia Nur Zulaiqa Mohammad Hazrin & Raja Yasmin Syahila Raja Zahudeen & Nurul Aisya Amri & Fadhilah Zainal Abidin, 2025. "Service Quality Dimensions and their Impact on Visitor Satisfaction in Adventure-Based Theme Parks," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(7), pages 5391-5403, July.

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