Mediating Roles of Cultural Perception and Place Attachment in the Landscape–Wellbeing Relationship: Insights from Historical Urban Parks in Wuhan, China

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This research examines 11 historical urban parks in Wuhan as case studies to explore how place characteristics, cultural perception, and place attachment influence the pathways to visitor well-being. The topic aligns with international research interests in environmental psychology and urban renewal, and attempts to combine machine learning image segmentation with questionnaire surveys, demonstrating methodological innovation.However, some minor issues remain that should be addressed in revisions.

 

 

1. A description of the typicality of the case should be provided to explain why Wuhan's historical parks were selected.

 

2. The cultural perception and place attachment scales were adapted from literature by the author, but the paper does not present confirmatory factor analysis results. It is recommended that the author supplement the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.

 

3. The author uses the SegFormer-B5 model for semantic segmentation and feature extraction of image data. Considering data transparency, it is suggested to list specific parameters such as the training-validation-testing split ratios, loss function, learning rate, and iteration rounds.

 

4. The discussion section primarily consists of descriptive discussions of results. It is recommended to strengthen the analysis and dialogue on theoretical mechanisms (such as cultural capital, environmental preference theory) underlying the differences.

 

5. The limitations of the research in the conclusion section can be merged with those in the discussion section; it is suggested to place them in the discussion section.

Author Response

Reviewer #1: REVIEW OF LAND-3604603

Manuscript Title: Do Cultural Perception and Place Attachment Mediate the Association between Landscape Characteristics and Well-being? A Study Based on Historical Urban Parks in Wuhan, China

 

Overall Comments

 

This research examines 11 historical urban parks in Wuhan as case studies to explore how place characteristics, cultural perception, and place attachment influence the pathways to visitor well-being. The topic aligns with international research interests in environmental psychology and urban renewal, and attempts to combine machine learning image segmentation with questionnaire surveys, demonstrating methodological innovation. However, some minor issues remain that should be addressed in revisions.

 

Answer: Thank you for your careful comments. We have meticulously addressed each of the points you raised through the following specific revisions.

 

 

Specific Comments

 

1. A description of the typicality of the case should be provided to explain why Wuhan's historical parks were selected.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. The original text did indeed lack sufficient description regarding the representativeness of Wuhan as a case study. Accordingly, we have added detailed justification for case selection in Section 2.1 "Selection of Research Subjects" to enhance the persuasiveness of our chosen cases.

 

Original: [Line 197-203] On this basis, based on the status and distribution of existing parks in Wuhan city, and taking into account factors such as the history, representativeness, audience group, and area of each park (built before 1960, with regional representativeness and an area of over 1 hectare), 11 representative historical urban parks in Wuhan city have been preliminarily identified as the research objects of this study, including four in Wu-chang, two in Jianghan, one in Jiang’an, one in Qiaokou, two in Hanyang, and one in Qingshan (Table 1, Figure. 1).

 

Revised: [Line 208-213] Yangtze River basin, Wuhan's park system exhibits three distinctive characteristics: (1) temporally spanning different historical layers from the Ming-Qing period to the early founding of the People's Republic (1368-1960); (2) spatially distributed across all seven central urban districts, reflecting the unique "Two Rivers and Four Banks" geographical pattern; and (3) culturally encompassing three major typologies: imperial gardens, commercial port parks, and industrial heritage parks.

 

 

2. The cultural perception and place attachment scales were adapted from literature by the author, but the paper does not present confirmatory factor analysis results. It is recommended that the author supplement the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. The original questionnaire design indeed lacked factor analysis results and documentation of reliability/validity measures. To address this limitation, we have supplemented detailed psychometric analyses in Section 2.3.1 "Scale Development and Questionnaire Composition" to rigorously establish measurement quality.

 

Original: [Line 250-255] The composition of place attachment and well-being as variables has been supported by numerous studies. The place attachment section draws on the research framework of Williams et al. (1992)[65] and divides it into two parts: place attachment and place identity. The part of well-being is based on research related to subjective well-being [66-68] to build a three-layer basic framework for individuals, environment, and society (Table 3).

 

Revised: [Line 265-281] The measurement instruments for cultural perception and place attachment were adapted from established scales with demonstrated reliability in previous studies [46,71-73]. To ensure psychometric robustness in our specific context, we conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability tests on the adapted scales…

 

 

3. The author uses the SegFormer-B5 model for semantic segmentation and feature extraction of image data. Considering data transparency, it is suggested to list specific parameters such as the training-validation-testing split ratios, loss function, learning rate, and iteration rounds.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. To address this, we have supplemented comprehensive data and added more intuitive visual explanations (Figure 2) for enhanced clarity.

 

Original: [Line 229-239] The training was conducted using 20210 images from ADE20K (a large-scale dataset for scene analysis, used for image semantic segmentation tasks and scene understand-ing research), and the validity of the model was verified using an additional 2000 im-ages as the validation set. If the accuracy exceeded 80%, the training was stopped. Ac-cording to the final test results, the segmentation accuracy for trees (86.11%), shrubs (84.62%), lawns (81.48%), buildings (90.4%), and sky (97.04%) all met the conditions. Finally, a training model was used to perform semantic segmentation on 599 shared images of residents from 11 historical parks on Baidu Maps, obtaining data on three variables: green space shape index, green view rate, and color richness.

 

Revised: [Line 242-252] For the training process, we utilized the standard ADE20K dataset configuration with 20,210 images for training and an additional 2,000 images as the validation set to assess model accuracy. Training was terminated when the accuracy exceeded 80%. The initial learning rate was set to 0.00006 with a "poly" LR scheduler using a default factor of 1.0. Following Xie E, et al. (2021)'s methodology [65], we deliberately avoided commonly used techniques such as OHEM, auxiliary loss, or class-balanced loss. To verify reliability, we conducted random sampling of 155 test images for manual label verification, achieving segmentation accuracy exceeding 80% for all key elements (trees, shrubs, lawns, buildings, sky, etc.), thereby confirming the robustness of our results[66].

 

Figure 2. Segmentation schematic diagram based on SegFormer-B5

 

 

4. The discussion section primarily consists of descriptive discussions of results. It is recommended to strengthen the analysis and dialogue on theoretical mechanisms (such as cultural capital, environmental preference theory) underlying the differences.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. In accordance with your suggestions, we have thoroughly revised the discussion of our results. While retaining the original descriptive analyses, we have significantly enhanced the interpretation by: (1) systematically linking findings to underlying theoretical mechanisms, and (2) employing robust theoretical frameworks including Cultural Capital Theory and Attention Restoration Theory to validate the reliability and internal logic of our results. This multidimensional approach substantially strengthens the scholarly persuasiveness of our conclusions.

 

Original: [Line 408-477] At the level of correlation, this article constructed a stepwise model to study the impact of demographic data, park characteristics, cultural perception, place attach-ment, and interaction between some dependent variables on the well-being of histori-cal urban parks…

 

Revised: [Line 461-535] This study systematically examined the comprehensive impact mechanisms of demo-graphic characteristics, physical environmental features, psychological cognitive fac-tors and their interactions on visitors' well-being in historical urban parks through a stepwise regression model. The findings reveal multi-level influencing characteristics that require in-depth interpretation combining empirical data with theoretical frameworks…

 

 

5. The limitations of the research in the conclusion section can be merged with those in the discussion section; it is suggested to place them in the discussion section.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. In accordance with your recommendations, we have removed the limitations discussion from the Conclusions section and systematically integrated it into the Discussion chapter to maintain proper academic structure.

 

Original: [Line 536-542] Several limitations should be acknowledged. First, our cross-sectional design limits causal inferences. Second, seasonal variations in park usage patterns were not captured. Third, while our sample provided robust data, it may not fully represent all demographic groups or cultural contexts. Future research should explore longitudinal effects of park renovations on well-being, investigate how digital augmentation of historical elements might enhance cultural perception, and examine how these relation-ships vary across different cultural and geographical contexts.

 

Revised: [Line 540-550] This study has several limitations that warrant acknowledgment. First, while encompassing 11 historical urban parks, the sample size was constrained to 368 valid questionnaires due to limited research resources. Second, the single-city (Wuhan) focus, though representative, precludes cross-regional comparisons and fails to account for seasonal usage patterns. Third, the cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the selected park feature indicators may have omitted potentially significant variables. Future research should expand both sample sizes and physical characteristic categories, incorporating longitudinal tracking and multi-regional comparisons, with particular attention to: 1) long-term effects of park renovations, 2) digital enhancement of historical elements to improve cultural perception, and 3) mechanism variations across different cultural and geographical contexts.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper explores the impacts of physical attributes (spatial structure, infrastructure, and historical features) of historical urban parks on the cultural perception and place attachment as contributions to the well-being of urban residents. The strengths and contributions of this paper are twofold: (i) methodological contribution in establishing the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of urban parks in enhancing residents’ well-being, and (ii) understanding the relationship between physical characteristics of historical urban parks in Wuhan, China, and residents’ well-being.

Even though this paper is well elaborated, has a strong methodological structure, and well presented results, it is still missing several crucial points that ask for major revision of the paper:

(i) scientific structure is missing clear research aim;

(ii) referencing is inconsistent throughout the paper;

(iii) needed enhancement in describing the methodological approach that enables applicability of the research in different contexts;

(iv) missing comprehensive contributions that transcend the local level and specificity of research to provide relevance to a wider global context.

Even though major revisions are asked, I highly motivate authors to make the effort and enhance this paper into scientifically and internationally relevant work. With the best intentions to contribute to the quality of the work, organization of the research structure, more comprehensive contributions, and clear scientific language, the recommendations are provided in the attachment.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Recommendation to proofread the paper in order to avoid minor language errors.

Author Response

Reviewer #2: REVIEW OF LAND-3604603

Manuscript Title: Do Cultural Perception and Place Attachment Mediate the Association between Landscape Characteristics and Well-being? A Study Based on Historical Urban Parks in Wuhan, China

 

Overall Comments

 

The paper explores the impacts of physical attributes (spatial structure, infrastructure, and historical features) of historical urban parks on the cultural perception and place attachment as contributions to the well-being of urban residents. The strengths and contributions of this paper are twofold: (i) methodological contribution in establishing the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of urban parks in enhancing residents’ well-being, and (ii) understanding the relationship between physical characteristics of historical urban parks in Wuhan, China, and residents’ well-being.

Even though this paper is well elaborated, has a strong methodological structure, and well presented results, it is still missing several crucial points that ask for major revision of the paper:

 

Answer: We gratefully acknowledge your insightful suggestions and have implemented comprehensive revisions to address each of your valuable comments, as detailed below.

 

Specific Comments

 

1. (i) scientific structure is missing clear research aim;

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. Based on your valuable suggestions, we have enhanced the concluding segment of Section 1. Introduction by explicitly summarizing and numerically itemizing the research objectives, thereby strengthening the scientific rigor and structural completeness of our study.

 

Original: [Line 71-79] To narrow this research gap, this study addresses these research gaps by examining 11 historical parks in Wuhan's high-density urban areas. Using a mixed-methods approach combining crowdsourcing and survey data, we investigate:

1.Which physical characteristics of historical parks positively impact well-being

2.Through what mechanisms these parks contribute to well-being

3.How historical parks can be enhanced to improve perceived well-being

While the relationship between parks and well-being has been established (Kim et al., 2018), our study's unique contribution lies in its focus on historical parks' cultural attributes and innovative methodological approach combining diverse data sources.

 

Revised: [Line 70-84] To address this research gap, this study employs crowdsourcing data and questionnaire surveys to conduct empirical analyses of 11 historical parks in Wuhan's high-density urban areas. Using park physical characteristics, cultural perception, and place attachment as independent variables with subjective well-being as the dependent variable, we aim to make three key theoretical contributions: (1) establishing an integrated framework connecting physical environment, cultural meaning and psychological outcomes in historic park contexts; (2) quantifying the mediating effects of cultural perception and place attachment; and (3) identifying optimal design interventions for different demographic groups. Specifically, we investigate:

1.Which physical characteristics of historical parks positively impact well-being

2.Through what mechanisms these parks contribute to well-being

3.How historical parks can be enhanced to improve perceived well-being

While the relationship between parks and well-being has been established (Kim et al., 2018)[7], our study's unique contribution lies in its focus on historical parks' cultural attributes and innovative methodological approach combining diverse data sources.

 

 

2. (ii) referencing is inconsistent throughout the paper;

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. We rechecked and marked the serial numbers of references to ensure their consistency.

 

Original: [Line 543-723] References

1. Wang Y, Shi G, Zhang Y. Microlevel Evaluation of Land Use Efficiency in an Urban Renewal Context: The Case of Shenzhen, China [J] Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 2024, 150 (1): 5023043
2. 2. Tonne C, Adair L, Adlakha D, et al. Defining paths to healthy sustainable urban development 3. Environment Inter-national, 2021, 146106236…

 

Revised: [Line 603-789] References

1. Wang Y, Shi G, Zhang Y. Microlevel Evaluation of Land Use Efficiency in an Urban Renewal Context: The Case of Shenzhen, China [J] Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 2024, 150 (1): 5023043
2. Tonne C, Adair L, Adlakha D, et al. Defining paths to healthy sustainable urban development 3. Environment International, 2021, 146106236…

 

 

3. (iii) needed enhancement in describing the methodological approach that enables applicability of the research in different contexts;

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. In accordance with your recommendations, we have comprehensively refined the entire Methodology chapter (Section 2), providing more detailed descriptions of research subject selection, scale/questionnaire development, data collection procedures, and analytical approaches to enhance the study's applicability across diverse contexts.

 

Original: [Line 193-347] 2. Methodology

2.1 Selection of Research Subjects

According to the concept defined by ICOMOS-IFLA and previous research, historical urban parks in China usually refer to urban parks that were built more than 50 years ago and feature partially restored and opened classical gardens [58]…

 

Revised: [Line 203-385] 2. Methodology

2.1 Selection of Research Subjects

According to the definition established by ICOMOS-IFLA and existing research [67], historical urban parks in China typically refer to public parks constructed over 50 years ago that incorporate partially restored classical gardens. As a representative historical and cultural city in the Yangtze River basin, Wuhan's park system exhibits three distinctive characteristics: (1) temporally spanning different historical layers from the Ming-Qing period to the early founding of the People's Republic (1368-1960); (2) spatially distributed across all seven central urban districts, reflecting the unique "Two Rivers and Four Banks" geographical pattern; and (3) culturally encompassing three major typologies: imperial gardens, commercial port parks, and industrial herit-age parks…

 

 

4. (iv) missing comprehensive contributions that transcend the local level and specificity of research to provide relevance to a wider global context.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. In line with your suggestions, we have added dedicated paragraphs in Section 5 "Conclusions" to elucidate this study's global applicability, specifically demonstrating how it provides transferable insights for preserving historical green spaces across diverse cultural contexts.

 

Original: [Line 525-535] These findings contribute to environmental psychology theory by demonstrating how historical elements in urban parks create unique pathways to well-being beyond those offered by conventional green spaces. Our research extends the understanding of place attachment in historical contexts and clarifies the psychological mechanisms connecting physical environment to subjective well-being. For urban planners and park managers, our results provide evidence-based guidance for historical urban park design and renovation. Specifically, maintaining appropriate green coverage, preserving heritage landmarks, limiting excessive pathway development, and enhancing elements that promote cultural connection can maximize well-being benefits. These considerations are particularly relevant in urban renewal contexts where balancing preservation and modernization presents challenges.

 

Revised: [Line 702-713] These findings hold global relevance for cities experiencing similar urbanization pressures. The identified mechanisms - particularly the dual mediation path through cultural perception and place attachment - offer transferable insights for preserving historical green spaces in diverse cultural contexts, from European heritage gardens to colonial-era parks in developing nations. Our methodology demonstrates how ma-chine learning and spatial analysis can be adapted to assess cultural ecosystem ser-vices in different urban heritage settings.

The interaction effects between education level and cultural perception suggest universal tensions in balancing cultural preservation with modernization, a challenge facing historical parks from Paris to Tokyo. This underscores the need for cultural-ly-sensitive design approaches that respect local heritage while accommodating evolving urban populations.

 

 

5. Even though major revisions are asked, I highly motivate authors to make the effort and enhance this paper into scientifically and internationally relevant work. With the best intentions to contribute to the quality of the work, organization of the research structure, more comprehensive contributions, and clear scientific language, the recommendations are provided in the attachment.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. We have meticulously polished the manuscript's language throughout to enhance the clarity and precision of the research presentation.

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I would like to begin by thanking the authors for their submission. The topic addressed is significant, however, there are quiet a few areas where the manuscript could benefit from further clarification and revision to enhance its academic rigor and clarity.

Title Length:
The current title consists of 26 words, which exceeds the generally accepted length for academic article titles. I recommend condensing it to no more than 12–15 words to ensure it remains concise and focused, while still capturing the core elements of the study.

Methodological Clarity – Mixed Methods Design:
The authors mention the use of a "mixed methods" approach in lines 13 and 72. However, it is unclear which of the five established mixed methods designs, as outlined by Creswell (e.g., convergent, explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential, embedded, transformative), has been adopted. [Creswell, J.W. (2013) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 4th Edition, SAGE Publications, Inc., London.]

Additionally, the manuscript lacks any evident qualitative data or analysis tools, which makes the "mixed methods" designation questionable. As it currently stands, the research appears to be primarily quantitative.

Variables and Research Design:
I recommend that the authors identify the dependent and independent variables earlier in the manuscript. This would aid in providing readers with a clearer understanding of the research model and hypotheses.

Details of the Questionnaire:
While the manuscript presents the study variables and their associated indicators, it lacks sufficient detail about the questionnaire used. I suggest including information on the total number of items, the number of open-ended versus closed-ended questions, and whether Likert-type scales or other measurement instruments were employed. This detail is crucial for evaluating the validity and reliability of the data collection process.

Terminological Consistency – "Tourist" vs. "Visitor":
The term "tourist/s" is used 24 times throughout the paper. However, this may not align well with the stated objective of investigating resident well-being. It may be more accurate to use "visitor" or "park-goer" in certain contexts, particularly where the individuals referenced are local residents or engage with the park as part of their routine. For clarity, consider the following distinctions:

• A tourist typically travels from outside the local area for leisure or recreational purposes.
• A visitor, resident, or park-goer refers to someone who resides nearby and uses the park regularly.

Adopting more precise terminology would help align the language of the manuscript with its intended focus.

Reference Formatting Issues:
There appears to be an error in the numbering of the references. Aside from the first citation, each subsequent reference is duplicated (e.g., 2.2, 3.3, 4.4, etc.). Please ensure that references are sequentially numbered and consistently formatted according to the required citation style.

Author Response

 

Reviewer #3: REVIEW OF LAND-3604603

Manuscript Title: Do Cultural Perception and Place Attachment Mediate the Association between Landscape Characteristics and Well-being? A Study Based on Historical Urban Parks in Wuhan, China

 

Overall Comments

 

I would like to begin by thanking the authors for their submission. The topic addressed is significant, however, there are quiet a few areas where the manuscript could benefit from further clarification and revision to enhance its academic rigor and clarity.

 

Answer: We sincerely appreciate your constructive feedback and have carefully incorporated all of your suggestions into our revisions, as outlined in detail in the following sections.

 

Specific Comments

 

1. Title Length:

The current title consists of 26 words, which exceeds the generally accepted length for academic article titles. I recommend condensing it to no more than 12–15 words to ensure it remains concise and focused, while still capturing the core elements of the study.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. In accordance with your valuable suggestions, we have condensed the title to meet the specified length requirements while retaining all essential elements to the greatest extent possible.

 

Original: [Line 2-4] Do Cultural Perception and Place Attachment Mediate the As-sociation between Landscape Characteristics and Well-being? A Study Based on Historical Urban Parks in Wuhan, China

 

Revised: [Line 2-4] Cultural Perception and Place Attachment Mediating Landscape-Wellbeing Relationship in Historical Urban Parks of China

 

 

2. Methodological Clarity – Mixed Methods Design:

The authors mention the use of a "mixed methods" approach in lines 13 and 72. However, it is unclear which of the five established mixed methods designs, as outlined by Creswell (e.g., convergent, explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential, embedded, transformative), has been adopted. [Creswell, J.W. (2013) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 4th Edition, SAGE Publications, Inc., London.]

 

Additionally, the manuscript lacks any evident qualitative data or analysis tools, which makes the "mixed methods" designation questionable. As it currently stands, the research appears to be primarily quantitative.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. We have clarified that this study employs quantitative methods exclusively and does not utilize mixed methods, as the original description contained inaccuracies. Accordingly, we have revised all relevant sections to explicitly specify the quantitative methodology, thereby eliminating potential misinterpretations.

 

Original: [Line 13/72] This study explores the impact of physical characteristics of historical urban parks on well-being from the perspective of human settlement environment. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we collected data from 11 urban parks in Wuhan, China…

To narrow this research gap, this study addresses these research gaps by examining 11 historical parks in Wuhan's high-density urban areas. Using a mixed-methods approach combining crowdsourcing and survey data, we investigate…

 

Revised: [Line 13-15] We collected quantitative data from 11 urban parks in Wuhan, China, using online crowdsourcing for physical characteristics assessment and questionnaire surveys (n=368) for psychological evaluation.

 

[Line 71-79] To address this research gap, this study employs crowdsourcing data and questionnaire surveys to conduct empirical analyses of 11 historical parks in Wuhan's high-density urban areas. Using park physical characteristics, cultural perception, and place attachment as independent variables with subjective well-being as the dependent variable, we aim to make three key theoretical contributions: (1) establishing an integrated framework connecting physical environment, cultural meaning and psychological outcomes in historic park contexts; (2) quantifying the mediating effects of cultural perception and place attachment; and (3) identifying optimal design interventions for different demographic groups. Specifically, we investigate:

 

 

3. Variables and Research Design:

I recommend that the authors identify the dependent and independent variables earlier in the manuscript. This would aid in providing readers with a clearer understanding of the research model and hypotheses.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. In response to your recommendations, we have enhanced the concluding segment of Section 1. Introduction by explicitly specifying the study's independent variables (park physical characteristics, cultural perception, place attachment), dependent variable (subjective well-being), and research objectives to provide readers with a clearer conceptual framework of this investigation.

 

Original: [Line 71-73] To narrow this research gap, this study addresses these research gaps by examining 11 historical parks in Wuhan's high-density urban areas. Using a mixed-methods approach combining crowdsourcing and survey data, we investigate:

 

Revised: [Line 71-75] To address this research gap, this study employs crowdsourcing data and questionnaire surveys to conduct empirical analyses of 11 historical parks in Wuhan's high-density urban areas. Using park physical characteristics, cultural perception, and place attachment as independent variables with subjective well-being as the dependent variable, we aim to make three key theoretical contributions:

 

4. Details of the Questionnaire:

While the manuscript presents the study variables and their associated indicators, it lacks sufficient detail about the questionnaire used. I suggest including information on the total number of items, the number of open-ended versus closed-ended questions, and whether Likert-type scales or other measurement instruments were employed. This detail is crucial for evaluating the validity and reliability of the data collection process.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. Based on your suggestions, we have revised the original "2.3.2 Questionnaire Distribution" to "2.3.2 Details and Distribution of Questionnaire". We have supplemented details regarding the composition of the questionnaire, the number of items in each section, the information on statistical scales, as well as more specifics on the distribution and collection of the questionnaire, aiming to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the questionnaire collection process.

 

Original: [Line 260-268] 2.3.2 Questionnaire Distribution

This study distributed and collected questionnaires from November 16 to Decem-ber 3, 2023, in 3 weeks and among three groups per week, in 11 historical urban parks within the scope of the research aims. The distribution dates of the questionnaires were selected during sunny weather, with a moderate temperature and suitable conditions for outdoor activities. The locations for distributing questionnaires mainly included park entrances and exits, important landscape sites, and points along the main tourist routes, to ensure that the participants had visited most or all of the parks’ features. A total of 368 valid questionnaires were collected.

 

Revised: [Line 286-294] 2.3.2 Details and Distribution of Questionnaire

Based on the aforementioned indicators, this study developed a structured questionnaire consisting of four sections. The first section collected respondents' demo-graphic information, including gender, age, educational level, occupation, and frequency of park usage. The remaining three sections respectively addressed the measurement indicators for cultural perception, place attachment, and well-being. Each section contained 6-8 questions, totaling 21 scored items. The questionnaire employed a 5-point Likert scale for assessment (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree), with statistical scores serving as the quantitative basis for evaluating each indicator…

 

 

5. Terminological Consistency – "Tourist" vs. "Visitor":

The term "tourist/s" is used 24 times throughout the paper. However, this may not align well with the stated objective of investigating resident well-being. It may be more accurate to use "visitor" or "park-goer" in certain contexts, particularly where the individuals referenced are local residents or engage with the park as part of their routine. For clarity, consider the following distinctions:

 

A tourist typically travels from outside the local area for leisure or recreational purposes.

A visitor, resident, or park-goer refers to someone who resides nearby and uses the park regularly.

Adopting more precise terminology would help align the language of the manuscript with its intended focus.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. In accordance with your recommendations, we have systematically replaced the term "tourist(s)" with "visitor(s)" throughout the manuscript to better reflect our study population and maintain terminological consistency.

 

 

6. Reference Formatting Issues:

There appears to be an error in the numbering of the references. Aside from the first citation, each subsequent reference is duplicated (e.g., 2.2, 3.3, 4.4, etc.). Please ensure that references are sequentially numbered and consistently formatted according to the required citation style.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. We rechecked and marked the serial numbers of references to ensure their consistency.

 

Original: [Line 543-723] References

1. Wang Y, Shi G, Zhang Y. Microlevel Evaluation of Land Use Efficiency in an Urban Renewal Context: The Case of Shenzhen, China [J] Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 2024, 150 (1): 5023043
2. 2. Tonne C, Adair L, Adlakha D, et al. Defining paths to healthy sustainable urban development 3. Environment Inter-national, 2021, 146106236…

 

Revised: [Line 603-789] References

1. Wang Y, Shi G, Zhang Y. Microlevel Evaluation of Land Use Efficiency in an Urban Renewal Context: The Case of Shenzhen, China [J] Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 2024, 150 (1): 5023043
2. Tonne C, Adair L, Adlakha D, et al. Defining paths to healthy sustainable urban development 3. Environment International, 2021, 146106236…

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The goal is described through exploration: This study explores the impact of physical characteristics of historical urban parks on well-being from the perspective of human settlement environment. Article deals with important sector between historical parks and well-being issues with good findings for landscape architecture specialty like road density and well-being correlations. Gap of knowledge are identified.

Some points to show up:

Lines 49-51 - current research - yours or referred to study in literature - reference list 9?

In line 262 are written: among three groups per week - please add which group and how? you also mention the tourists somewhere...

Results - is it possible to give results hypothesis and then results?

Please add all p like this format: 'p<0.001' - not mixed. 

Line 365-366 you write significant negative impact - as you have written the less we have that, the more we have this - try to change facts position in the sentence - it will come more positive emotion. Facts will be facts as it is.

Usually there is no new references in discussion. Can you use the new references also in introduction section?

Line 453-458 usually the knowledge is also a healer...

Line 476-477 - and what you conclude?

Lines 536-542 please finish chapter Conclusion with positive note - just move these lines to upper part...:)

Author Response

 

Reviewer #4: REVIEW OF LAND-3604603

Manuscript Title: Do Cultural Perception and Place Attachment Mediate the Association between Landscape Characteristics and Well-being? A Study Based on Historical Urban Parks in Wuhan, China

 

Overall Comments

 

The goal is described through exploration: This study explores the impact of physical characteristics of historical urban parks on well-being from the perspective of human settlement environment. Article deals with important sector between historical parks and well-being issues with good findings for landscape architecture specialty like road density and well-being correlations. Gap of knowledge are identified.

Some points to show up:

 

Answer: We are grateful for your insightful comments and have meticulously addressed each of your recommendations through comprehensive revisions, as systematically documented below.

 

 

Specific Comments

 

1. Lines 49-51 - current research - yours or referred to study in literature - reference list 9?

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. To enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity, we have modified the expression from "current research" to "Current research in this field" when referencing the content from Citation [9].

 

Original: [Line 49-51] Current research has predominantly focused on heritage conservation and cultural value assessment, with limited attention to public perception and utilization patterns [9].

 

Revised: [Line 49-51] Current research in this field has predominantly focused on heritage conservation and cultural value assessment, with limited attention to public perception and utilization patterns [9].

 

 

2. In line 262 are written: among three groups per week - please add which group and how? you also mention the tourists somewhere...

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. According to your suggestion, more details of questionnaire distribution and collection are added.

 

Original: [Line 261-263] This study distributed and collected questionnaires from November 16 to December 3, 2023, in 3 weeks and among three groups per week, in 11 historical urban parks within the scope of the research aims.

 

Revised: [Line 295-300] This study conducted questionnaire distribution and collection in 11 historical urban parks from November 16 to December 3, 2023. Following the park sequence shown in Table 1, three survey teams worked simultaneously each week to cover 3-4 parks per week, completing the entire data collection process within three weeks. The distribution dates of the questionnaires were selected during sunny weather, with a moderate temperature and suitable conditions for outdoor activities.

 

 

3. Results - is it possible to give results hypothesis and then results?

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. To improve the logical flow of the narrative, we have restructured the Results section following your recommendations by consistently presenting hypotheses before their corresponding findings.

 

Original: [Line 348-403] 3. Results

3.1 Results of Correlation Analysis

Table 5 presents the results of the multistep regression correlation analysis. The results of Model 1, which mainly involved demographic analysis, showed that the R2 (Multiple R-squared) value was 0.05722, meaning that the model explains 5.7% of the variance in well-being; this indicates that demographic variables have limited contribution in explaining well-being. But it is worth noting that in this model, the age group (β = 0.136, p < 0.001) has a significant positive impact on well-being, indicating that older tourists may feel happier in historical urban parks than younger tourists…

 

Revised: [Line 387-457] 3. Results

3.1 Results of Correlation Analysis

Table 5 presents the results of the multistep regression correlation analysis. The results of Model 1, which mainly involved demographic analysis, showed that the R2 (Multiple R-squared) value was 0.05722, meaning that the model explains 5.7% of the variance in well-being; this indicates that demographic variables have limited contri-bution in explaining well-being. We did not initially formulate hypotheses regarding the relationship between demographic characteristics and well-being. But it is worth noting that in this model, the age group (β = 0.136, p < 0.001, not mixed) has a signifi-cant positive impact on well-being, indicating that older visitors may feel happier in historical urban parks than younger visitors…

 

 

4. Please add all p like this format: 'p<0.001' - not mixed.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. It has been added in the full text according to your suggestions.

 

 

5. Line 365-366 you write significant negative impact - as you have written the less we have that, the more we have this - try to change facts position in the sentence - it will come more positive emotion. Facts will be facts as it is.

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions.We have modified the relevant language expressions according to your suggestions.

 

Original: [Line 364-366] However, the density of roads within the park (β = - 2.977, p < 0.001) had a significant negative impact, indicating that the higher the density of garden roads, the lower the perceived well-being.

 

Revised: [Line 407-409] However, The findings regarding road density (β = -2.977, p < 0.001,not mixed) contradict our initial hypothesis in H1, revealing an unexpected negative association be-tween path density and perceived well-being.

 

 

6. Usually there is no new references in discussion. Can you use the new references also in introduction section?

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. According to your opinion, we will integrate the newly added references in the discussion part with the 1.introduction part to ensure that there are no new references in the discussion part.

 

Original: [Line 408-508] 4.1 Discussion of Demographic, Environmental and Psychological Factors

       At the level of correlation, this article constructed a stepwise model to study the impact of demographic data, park characteristics, cultural perception, place attachment, and interaction between some dependent variables on the well-being of historical urban parks.

       The overall impact of demographic characteristics on well-being was not significant; however, age was found to be an influential factor. Compared to the young population, elderly participants were found to feel a stronger perceived well-being when visiting historical urban parks. This result corresponds with the research of Lai et al. (2023)[70] and Lucchesi et al. [71], which confirmed that older individuals who visit parks more frequently have a relatively strong perceived well-being. Lucchesi et al. (2021) [71] indicate that the factors that directly affect the well-being of tourists vary among different age groups…

 

Revised: [Line 461-565] 4.1 Discussion of Demographic, Environmental and Psychological Factor

       This study systematically examined the comprehensive impact mechanisms of demographic characteristics, physical environmental features, psychological cognitive factors and their interactions on visitors' well-being in historical urban parks through a stepwise regression model. The findings reveal multi-level influencing characteristics that require in-depth interpretation combining empirical data with theoretical frameworks.

Regarding demographic factors, the results show that while the overall impact of demographic characteristics on well-being did not reach statistical significance, age emerged as a prominent influencing factor. Specifically, elderly visitors experienced significantly higher levels of well-being in historical urban park environments com-pared to younger groups. This finding corroborates with the research conclusions of Lai et al. (2023)[43] and Lucchesi et al.[44], who similarly observed that elderly fre-quent park users exhibit stronger well-being. Further analysis suggests this phenome-non can be explained through cultural capital theory [45]: on one hand, the "embodied cultural capital" accumulated by the elderly through long-term life experience en-hances their ability to decode historical symbols; on the other hand, frequent park use behavior (Lai et al., 2023) promotes the formation of stable behavioral patterns, which are transformed into emotional well-being through the mediating variable of place at-tachment. Lucchesi et al. (2021) further indicate significant differences in sensitivity to well-being influencing factors across age groups, reflecting the evolving characteristics of intergenerational cultural cognition patterns….

 

 

7. Line 453-458 usually the knowledge is also a healer...

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. According to your suggestion, we readjusted the expression mode and explained the reasons for the result in more detail, in order to make the logic of the discussion more complete.

 

Original: [Line 453-458] Educational level was significantly negatively correlated with happiness in cultural perception pathways, indicating that when both education level and cultural perception increase simultaneously, the impact on well-being is not simply a linear superposition but a negative moderating effect. In other words, the positive impact of cultural perception on well-being may be weakened in highly educated groups and may even transform into negative effects.

 

Revised: [Line 506-514] However, the study also discovered an anomaly worthy of in-depth exploration: education level showed significant negative moderating effect on the cultural perception pathway. This indicates that when education level and cultural perception in-crease simultaneously, their combined effect on well-being shows negative moderation characteristics. This phenomenon can be partially explained that highly educated groups may develop more critical cultural interpretation patterns, and this "reading at a distance" approach may weaken the emotional mechanism of obtaining well-being through cultural resonance. This finding provides a new theoretical perspective for understanding park experience differences among social groups.

 

 

8. Line 476-477 - and what you conclude?

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. We have adjusted the presentation according to your suggestion and combined with the chart to enhance the logic of the description and make this part more complete.

 

Original: [Line 476-477] Unfortunately, the two mediation pathways of H5-6 were not strongly supported (Figure. 4).

 

Revised: [Line 532-536] However, the mediating pathways hypothesized in H3 and H5 were not found to be statistically significant. Figure 4 comprehensively presents the path results of interactions among various factors. Regarding the mediating effects, place attachment emerges as the most crucial mediating factor, exerting the strongest influence in the pathways transmitting well-being effects.

 

 

9. Lines 536-542 please finish chapter Conclusion with positive note - just move these lines to upper part...:)

 

Answer: Thank you for your valuable suggestions. In accordance with your recommendations, we have removed the limitations discussion from the Conclusions section and systematically integrated it into the Discussion chapter to maintain proper academic structure.

 

Original: [Line 536-542] Several limitations should be acknowledged. First, our cross-sectional design limits causal inferences. Second, seasonal variations in park usage patterns were not captured. Third, while our sample provided robust data, it may not fully represent all demographic groups or cultural contexts. Future research should explore longitudinal effects of park renovations on well-being, investigate how digital augmentation of historical elements might enhance cultural perception, and examine how these relation-ships vary across different cultural and geographical contexts.

 

Revised: [Line 541-551] This study has several limitations that warrant acknowledgment. First, while encompassing 11 historical urban parks, the sample size was constrained to 368 valid questionnaires due to limited research resources. Second, the single-city (Wuhan) focus, though representative, precludes cross-regional comparisons and fails to account for seasonal usage patterns. Third, the cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the selected park feature indicators may have omitted potentially significant variables. Future research should expand both sample sizes and physical characteristic categories, incorporating longitudinal tracking and multi-regional comparisons, with particular attention to: 1) long-term effects of park renovations, 2) digital enhancement of historical elements to improve cultural perception, and 3) mechanism variations across different cultural and geographical contexts.

 

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf