An evaluation of urban green space in Shanghai, China, using eye tracking

Abstract

The utilization of urban green space (UGS) in a city contributes to people’s mental and physical health. Information on the perceptions and attitudes of people from landscape evaluation and preference studies serves as an important scientific basis for the planning and management of UGS. This study used eye tracking and an online questionnaire to investigate the association between the proportions of different landscape elements and people’s evaluation of UGS attractiveness. Experiments were conducted by using photographs taken in Shanghai with varying green appearance percentages (GPs) and different types of landscape elements (trees, water, artificial hardscapes, etc.). The results showed that the influence of GP on landscape attractiveness was greater when its level was below 45 % than when above 48 %. Landscape elements, including trees, pedestrians and visually dominant elements (overpasses, sign boards, seats and other elements that may attract an observer’s attention), affected participants’ evaluations. People who paid more attention to trees and pedestrians than visually dominant elements were more likely to give a higher evaluation. The reflection of greenery on a water surface enhanced residents’ perception to GP. Hardscape divided the attraction of the vegetation and lowered the evaluation of the landscape. This study demonstrates a meaningful attempt to use eye tracking in combination with online questionnaires for urban green space. The confined data sources are useful to reveal human’s perception of landscapes, and a clearer understanding of residents’ preference to landscape elements can be obtained in the decision making of UGS planning and management.