Residents’ Spatial Image Perception of Urban Green Space through Cognitive Mapping: The Case of Beijing, China

Yilei Hou,Zheng Zhao,Jinyu Shen,Yibing Qu,Yali Wen

doi:10.3390/f12121614

Yilei Hou, Zheng Zhao + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/f12121614

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Abstract

The fundamental purpose of future urban development is to meet residents’ yearning for a better city life with the rapid development of urbanization. This study uses a multinomial logit model and cognitive map to evaluate residents’ spatial image perception of urban green space. A field study and data collection were conducted from July to August 2019, using the typical urban green space area in Beijing as the research object. Based on 375 valid questionnaires and 139 cognitive maps, the study analyzed and evaluated the image characteristics and differences of residents to the urban green space under different conditions. The results show the following. First, there is a close relationship between residents’ preference and the characteristics of urban green spaces, especially the working and living environment and characteristics will have a great influence on it. Second, the cognitive map drawn by Beijing residents can be divided into sequential and spatial cognitive maps, and the image perception shows diversified characteristics. However, the perception is relatively superficial overall, and most are simple line maps. Besides, according to the analysis of the elements of the cognitive map, the advantages and disadvantages of each type of urban green space are closely related to their geographical location and internal structure. This study has two key findings. First, the construction of urban green spaces in various cities should be carried out according to local conditions, considering the scientific basis and reasonableness of urban green space in terms of structural setting. Second, the multinomial logit model and cognitive map can effectively quantify the subjective evaluation of respondents’ spatial perceptions in a relatively simple manner, which can be further expanded in the application system design of the method.

Highlights

With the continuous development of cities, the degree of human intervention in the natural environment is increasing, and rapid urbanization has brought huge ecological problems to cities
Many studies show that urban green space type is an important factor affecting people’s well-being and health, and it should be considered in urban planning [4,5]
Cognitive Map Methods that interviewers are mainly responsible for collecting data, they know the types of urban green space represented by different photos, while

Summary

Introduction

With the continuous development of cities, the degree of human intervention in the natural environment is increasing, and rapid urbanization has brought huge ecological problems to cities. Various urban environmental problems have continued to emerge in recent years, and many cities have faced problems such as restrictive pressure on green space and destruction of the natural environment. Urban green space has a major ecological function, plays a key role in the coordinated development of urban people and nature, and has received increasing attention in recent years. Many studies show that urban green space type is an important factor affecting people’s well-being and health, and it should be considered in urban planning [4,5]. The scale and size of urban green space affect people’s health [7]

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