Search Results (30)

While the existing research has extensively explored the impact of urban green spaces on residents’ well-being, studies specifically focusing on waterfront sports buildings remain scarce. This study examines how the combined effects of built environment characteristics in waterfront sports facilities enhance user satisfaction through psychological mechanisms. Based on survey data from 721 users across nine major waterfront sports complexes in China, we find that (1) four social function dimensions (social interaction, accessibility, safety, and multifunctionality) show significant positive correlations with satisfaction; (2) place attachment mediates these relationships. These findings validate the importance of integrating water-oriented design principles with community needs, offering both theoretical contributions to human–water interaction studies and practical implications for urban blue space (defined as visible water features including rivers, lakes, and coastal areas) development. Full article

Urban waterfront streets are important mediators that reflect a city’s image and characteristics. They play a positive role in enhancing residents’ cohesion, mental and physical health, and social interactions. Human perceptions represent individuals’ psychological experiences and feelings toward the surrounding environment. Previous studies have explored the impact of urban street-built environmental factors on perceptions; however, research focusing on waterfront street environments and their impacts on human perceptions remains limited. Therefore, exploring the specific impact of waterfront street environmental characteristics on different dimensions of human perception is essential for guiding the development of livable cities. Based on Street View images (SVIs), this study applied artificial neural networks and machine learning semantic segmentation techniques to obtain physical feature data and human perception data of the Murasaki River waterfront line spaces in Kitakyushu, Japan. In addition, correlation and regression analyses were conducted to explore the specific impact of physical features on different dimensions of human perception in waterfront line spaces, and corresponding optimization strategies were proposed. The results show that street greenness significantly enhances perceptions of safety, wealth, and beauty, while effectively reducing boredom and depression. Furthermore, the building visual ratio contributes to increased street vitality. On the other hand, physical features such as openness, spatial indicators, and environmental color diversity have negative effects on positive perceptions, including safety and vitality. In particular, openness significantly increases boredom and depression. This study advances the exploration of urban waterfront street environments from the perspective of human perception, providing a theoretical foundation for improving the spatial quality of waterfront streets and offering references for human-centered urban planning and construction. Full article

Green spaces in waterfront residential blocks, where the water landscape and green space intersect, have a special carbon sequestration effect due to the distinct ecological interaction between water bodies and green spaces. Studying the carbon sequestration efficiency of green space patterns is crucial for enhancing urban ecological quality. Herein, 100 residential blocks adjacent to water bodies in Shanghai were selected as case areas, and green space pattern classification, random forest algorithm and spatial configuration quantitative analysis were used to analyse the impact of spatial morphology factors, surrounding building environment and water–green coupling environment on the CS efficiency of the green space in residential blocks. The results showed that the importance of the green space morphology index influencing CS is significantly greater than that of the building environment index. Among the indices, the fraction vegetation coverage, coverage ratio of evergreen broadleaved trees and canopy coverage of the green space have a more significant effect. Moreover, the different types and compositions of tree species in residential green spaces have different impacts on CS. Residential blocks with higher levels of water surface ratio (Wr) have a slightly higher CS of the internal green space. In residential blocks 500 m from water bodies, Wr has a significant impact on the CS capacity of the green space. The blocks with an external greenway pattern and external greenway–green grid pattern provide an advantageous environment for CS. This study provides a reasonable basis for the development of riverfront green spaces to increase carbon sequestrations. Full article

As global climate change and urban issues worsen, increasing carbon offsets is crucial, with urban plants playing a key role. However, research on assessing plant carbon sequestration (CSE) capacity at the regional scale, selecting urban plants, and optimizing CSE capacity-based scenarios is still limited. A total of 272 plant species were surveyed in the nine cities of the Zhengzhou Metropolitan Area (ZMA). The i-Tree and biomass models estimated the average carbon storage (CS) density at 9.32 kg C m⁻² and the CSE density at 0.55 kg C y⁻² m⁻² in the ZMA. The highest CS density (13.58 kg C m⁻²) was observed in Pingdingshan, while the lowest CSE density (0.36 kg C y⁻¹ m⁻²) was observed in Xuchang. Hierarchical and cluster analyses identified plant species with balanced CSE capacity, adaptability, and ornamental value, such as Populus tomentosa Carr. and Salix babylonica L., as well as shrubs like Abelia biflora Turcz and Kerria japonica (L.) DC. Vegetation regeneration modeling indicated that CS could increase by 37%–41% along roads, 28%–43% in amenity areas, and 17%–30% near waterfronts over the next 50 years. These findings serve as a reference for urban regeneration and planning aimed at enhancing the carbon reduction potential of urban green spaces (UGS). Full article

Urban waterfront public space is a key infrastructure for enhancing citizens’ well-being. However, rapid urbanization squeezes out blue and green spaces in cities, and extreme weather challenges exist in winter cities, resulting in unmet needs and a significant decline in citizens’ satisfaction. There is an urgent need to optimize design to bridge the gap between supply and demand. This study proposes a workflow for optimizing the design of waterfront spaces in winter cities based on the KANO-IPA model from the perspective of users’ demands. We constructed a systematic and comprehensive set of spatial demand indicators for waterfront public space in winter cities, covering seven demand dimensions and 42 indicators. A satisfaction survey was conducted across 12 sample reaches in northeastern China. We used the KANO model to classify the attributes of spatial demand indicators, then applied IPA analysis to evaluate them, and finally calculated priority indices to quantify their priority sequences. Based on this, we proposed three-phase optimization strategies: near-term priority upgrading, medium-term steady promotion, and far-term charm enhancement, offering recommendations for improving waterfront public spaces in winter cities. This study provides long-term support for urban regeneration, resource management, and waterfront public space design in winter cities. Full article

The design of street spaces significantly influences public behavior and quality of life. Understanding how various urban street spatial characteristics affect public behavior, alongside the role of multi-sensory perception, enables designers and planners to create more human-centered urban environments. Grounded in landsenses ecology, this study employs correlation analysis, regression analysis, and Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the effects of different urban street spatial characteristics on public behavior and the mediating role of multi-sensory perception. The findings reveal that street spatial characteristics, particularly the Water Surface Ratio (WSR) and Waterfront Density (WD), have a pronounced impact on behavioral traits, with higher public activity frequencies in areas with elevated WSR and WD. Notably, WSR significantly affects static behaviors, such as sunbathing (β = 0.371, p < 0.001), and dynamic behaviors, such as walking (β = 0.279, p < 0.001). While road and water characteristics directly influence behavior, buildings and green spaces mainly affect public behavior through multi-sensory perception. Different sensory perceptions show varying effects, with olfactory perception playing a significant role in these experiences, alongside a notable chain-mediated effect between tactile perception and psychological cognition. These results provide valuable insights for integrating multi-sensory experiences into urban design. Full article

Blue spaces, water-based open spaces, are becoming focal points for urban vitalization. While previous studies have explored waterfronts’ various effects, little research has focused on their influence on actual visitation and vitality. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the effect of riverfronts on mobility using de facto population data, which tracks citizen activity by location through mobile information. The study focuses on two major rivers in northwestern Seoul, covering nine major riverfront facilities. Population Vitality (PV) and Vitality Index (VI), two novel measures derived from the de facto population data, were calculated for 266 tracts and used as a new indicator of spatial activation. Explanatory variables include regional and riverfront factors, such as the density of facilities, riverfront spaces’ specifications, and vitalization patterns. The findings show that higher densities of park-green spaces and commercial activities significantly enhance vitality, aligning with previous research on open spaces. Compact riversides with higher densities of riverfront facilities also exhibit greater vitality. The VI has demonstrated feasibility as a dynamic metric for assessing spatial activation, effectively capturing temporal fluctuations. By utilizing population big data and novel indices, this study empirically demonstrates the magnetic effects of riverfronts, providing deeper insights into effective riverfront planning. Full article

Global climate change presents a serious threat to the sustainable development of human society, highlighting the urgent need to develop effective adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters. Campus waterfront green spaces, integral to the blue-green infrastructure, have been demonstrated to facilitate stress recovery. However, in hot and humid regions, severe outdoor thermal conditions may impair students’ mental and physical health and cognitive function, leading to symptoms such as increased stress, anxiety, and depression. This study examined the influence of outdoor thermal environments on health recovery by selecting three different waterfront green spaces in this climate: Space A (medium water body, sky view factor (SVF) = 0.228), Space B (large water body, SVF = 0.808), and Space C (small water body, SVF = 0.292). The volunteers’ thermal comfort and the restorative benefits of these spaces were evaluated via the perceived restorativeness scale (PRS), heart rate (HR), and electrodermal activity (EDA). We found variations in the neutral physiological equivalent temperature (PET) across the spaces, with values of 28.1 °C (A), 28.9 °C (B), and 29.1 °C (C). The lowest skin conductance recovery rate (R_SC) at 0.8811 was observed in Space B, suggesting suboptimal physiological recovery, despite higher scores in psychological recovery (fascination) at 15.23. The level of thermal comfort in this hot and humid region showed a negative correlation with the overall PRS score, the “being away” dimension, and heart rate recovery (R_HR). At a lightly warm stress level, where PET increased from 31.0 to 35.7 °C, R_SC peaked between 1.45 and 1.53 across all spaces. These insights provide guidance for urban designers and planners in creating waterfront green space designs that can improve the urban microclimate and promote thermal health, achieving sustainable health. Full article

Contemporary post-industrial urban areas face opposing transformation trends: on one hand, abandonment or underutilization, and its replacement by new constructions and uses, on the other hand, the revaluation of the historical fabric and the implementation of initiatives to rehabilitate this legacy as industrial heritage. This study aimed to understand the factors that influence trends, and simulate land-use scenarios. A methodology based on three phases is proposed: digitization, exploratory spatial data analysis and simulation. Using the former textile district of Bellavista in Tomé (Chile), this study created and used historical land-use maps from 1970, 1992 and 2019. Meanwhile the main change observed from 1970 to 1992 was a 59.4% reduction in Historical Informal Open Spaces. The major change from 1992 to 2019 was the Historical Informal Open Space loss trend continuing; 65% of the land dedicated to this use changed to new usages. Consequently, the influence of two morphological factors and three urban management instruments on land-use changes between 1992 and 2019 was studied. The projection to 2030 showed a continued trend of expansion of new housing uses over historic urban green spaces and industrial areas on the waterfront, although restrained by the preservation of the central areas of historic housing and the textile factory. Full article

Improving street jogging environments can promote urban health and sustainability, especially within urban built-up areas. Public attention to the environment during jogging has not been sufficiently studied, and the recommended route data from the fitness app offers an opportunity for multiscale spatial exploration. Initially, by analyzing the recommendation reason text, the study identified 22 environmental factors and proposed the Environmental Factor Public Attention Intensity (EFPAI) for quantification, with subsequent comparisons to expert opinions. Further, by analyzing five types of data from the recommended routes, the relationships between EFPAI and jogging frequency, route shape, spatial distribution, and seasonal variations were uncovered. The study revealed: (1) discrepancies between expert opinions and public attention, with experts more likely to overlook factors such as slope, visual quality, width, and acoustic quality; (2) the public tends to notice factors like pedestrians, green spaces, waterfront spaces, landscapes, culture, sports facilities, and accessibility on routes with high jogging frequency; (3) EFPAI for traffic infrastructure, waterfront spaces, landscapes, residential areas, and campuses is associated with route shape; (4) EFPAI of certain environmental factors is influenced by urban geographical spatial factors, and substantial differences exist between different cities. Specific recommendations were provided from three different scales—site scale, street block scale, and urban scale—to guide the resolution of issues in planning and decision-making processes for urban renewal. Full article

Urban forests are increasingly recognized as vital components of urban ecosystems, offering a plethora of physiological and psychological benefits to residents. However, the existing research has often focused on single dimensions of either visual or auditory experiences, overlooking the combined impact of audio–visual environments on public health and well-being. This study addresses this gap by examining the effects of composite audio–visual settings within three distinct types of urban forests in Fuzhou, China: mountain, mountain–water, and waterfront forests. Through field surveys and quantitative analysis at 24 sample sites, we assessed visual landscape elements, soundscapes, physiological indicators (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance), and psychological responses (e.g., spiritual vitality, stress relief, emotional arousal, attention recovery) among 77 participants. Our findings reveal that different forest types exert varying influences on visitors’ physiology and psychology, with waterfront forests generally promoting relaxation and mountain–water forests inducing a higher degree of tension. Specific audio–visual elements, such as plant, water scenes, and natural sounds, positively affect psychological restoration, whereas urban noise is associated with increased physiological stress indicators. In conclusion, the integrated effects of audio–visual landscapes significantly shape the multisensory experiences of the public in urban forests, underscoring the importance of optimal design that incorporates natural elements to create restorative environments beneficial to the health and well-being of urban residents. These insights not only contribute to the scientific understanding of urban forest impact but also inform the design and management of urban green spaces for enhanced public health outcomes. Full article

To address current ecological issues and a lack of historical preservation in Beijing’s waterfront, it has become necessary to establish an urban design project that optimizes these aspects. This study focuses on “Beijing’s Waterfront Overall Urban Design,” a project that integrates government requirements with Beijing’s waterfront urban design characteristics and problems to establish an urban layer system from two dimensions: historical and ecological. It explores how the urban layer system can be applied to Beijing’s overall waterfront urban design, from investigation to evaluation, analysis, visualization, and strategy development. First, an urban layer system for Beijing’s waterfront was established from a historical perspective, based on urban setting and construction stages and space utilization, referring to the literature and field surveys. The evolution of urban layers of waterbodies, the water–city relationship, and water functions was systematically analyzed. Second, an urban layer system was established for the ecological dimension of Beijing’s waterfront based on a literature review, expert interviews, and analytic hierarchy process methods. It included four urban layers: waterbody, greening, shoreline, and ecological function. The quality of the ecological urban design of 54 waterfront reaches in Beijing was evaluated using questionnaires and field surveys. Third, a series of urban layer maps was generated using the mapping method. Finally, urban design strategies were developed based on the combined historical and ecological characteristics and problems of Beijing’s waterfront. The results of this study and the concept of an urban layer system for waterfront urban design can benefit waterfront urban design projects and future studies. Full article

The objective of this study is to determine how to increase green space that can overlap with areas that are primarily used for transport in commercial areas and waterfront routes in communities in Thailand, where transportation is limited, in order to provide urban populations an opportunity to access green space in various forms. In this study, the following was found: (1) Commercial routes should be considered. Specifically, green spaces should be created in various forms by considering the sizes of footpaths as well as restrictions on planting; the plants should be native plants because they are easy to care for and help convey the boundaries of an area. A “landmark” that represents the identity of a community should be used to create a meeting point for people entering the commercial area, and designers should use the principles of universal design to make all groups of people feel confident and safe when accessing the area. Finally, vacant or abandoned areas between buildings may also be used. (2) Waterside travel routes should also be considered. Green spaces should be distributed into points, or some routes should be made wider to accommodate various activities; areas along canals or river banks or degraded waterways should be developed or improved to create a recreational area designed with the community’s unique identity in mind, which may develop into a destination for tourists. Importantly, agencies who are responsible for working with the people in the community need to continuously care for these green spaces to enhance sustainability. Full article

In the context of waterfront-space design, this study examines the impact of plant enclosures and the ratio of water bodies to green spaces on the microclimate, aiming to enhance the climate environment and mitigate urban heat. Utilizing Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University as a case study, the research selects the summer solstice as a representative weather condition, conducts field measurements and model validation for four types of waterfront vegetation, and creates 80 scenarios with varying plant enclosures and water to green space ratios using ENVI-met 5.0.2software. This comprehensive analysis seeks to identify the optimal water–green space ratio for waterfront areas. Key findings include: (1) The efficacy and applicability of ENVI-met software for microclimate studies are confirmed. (2) Waterfront plants have cooling and humidifying effects on the microclimate environment. The order of cooling and humidifying effects of different plant community structures was as follows: tree–shrub–grass > tree–grass > shrub–grass > grass. (3) The cooling, humidification, ventilation, and human comfort levels are influenced by the specific enclosure conditions and water to green space ratios; a ratio of 1.8:1 is the most effective for cooling and improving human comfort, while ratios of 4:1 and 1:4 are better for humidification and ventilation. These results offer valuable insights for designing waterfront spaces in hot and humid climates. Full article

Public sub-health has emerged as a pressing concern in densely populated urban areas. The urban environment, with its innate ability to modulate public emotions, harbors a precious resource in the form of urban rivers, which provide a serene and verdant space. This study focuses on the Liangma River in Chaoyang District, Beijing, selecting two rivers with diverse landscape features as the subjects of research. By employing physiological feedback data in conjunction with a subjective questionnaire, the emotional impact of high-density urban riverside spaces on individuals is quantitatively analyzed. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data, eye movement data, and the positive–negative emotion scale (PANAS) are subjected to data analysis. The study reveals the following key findings: (1) The riverside landscape in high-density urban areas exerts a positive influence on emotional well-being. Individuals in more natural river settings experience greater levels of contentment and relaxation, while those in areas with a higher proportion of artificial elements exhibit increased excitement and happiness. Moreover, scenes characterized by a greater degree of greening have a more pronounced soothing effect on mood. (2) A specific correlation between visual characteristics and emotional fluctuations is observed. The waterfront side of the trail exerts a stronger spatial attraction, and a higher proportion of blue and green spaces significantly contributes to stress relief. (3) The utilization of human-induced engineering technology, which captures emotional changes through physiological feedback, demonstrates a higher level of accuracy and is well-suited for small-scale studies. These findings highlight the potential of arranging diverse types of waterfront footpath landscapes in high-density urban areas and approaching waterfront landscape design and transformation from a novel perspective centered on health intervention. Such efforts hold promise for alleviating the daily pressures faced by the general public and fostering the development of a “healthy city”. Full article