Perception Of Physical Environment Research Articles

O.5.1-1 Physical environment perceptions in rural and urban areas and their influence on adolescents’ walking and non-motorized vehicle use

Abstract Purpose Environment perceptions influence adolescents’ active transport. However, most studies focus on urban areas only and do not differentiate between walking and the use of non-motorized vehicles (NMV; e. g. cycling, skateboarding). Therefore, we aim to describe differences in perceived environment attributes across urbanicity levels and assess the relationship between perceived environment and walking as well as NMV in adolescents stratified across urban and rural areas. Methods We used cross-sectional data including age, gender, socioeconomic status, environment perceptions, duration of walking, and NMV use of 3,976 adolescents (14.5±2.0 years, 51% female) from the nationwide Motorik-Modul Study Wave 2 (2014-2017) and Wave 3 pre-Covid (2018-2020) in Germany. Separate cumulative link mixed models were calculated for rural areas, small towns, medium-sized towns, and cities to analyze relationships between environment perceptions and walking as well as NMV use. Results Adolescents in urban areas report higher presence of recreation facilities, walking and cycling infrastructure, cars, and children playing outside as well as better access to shops and bus stops compared to adolescents in rural areas. The latter perceive their neighborhood to be safer from crime and more pleasant for walking and cycling compared to urban areas. The relationships between environment perceptions and walking differ between urbanicity levels. For example, public sports facilities (OR = 1.29), cycling paths (OR = 1.30), and car presence are associated with walking in rural areas, whereas having access to shops (OR = 1.26) is associated with walking in cities. Rural-urban differences are also found for NMV use. For example, access to shops (OR = 1.16), cycling paths (OR = 1.29), and having a pleasant neighborhood for walking and cycling (OR = 1.29) are associated with NMV use in rural areas, whereas in cities, car presence (OR = 0.80) relates to NVT use. Public sports facilities (OR = 1.23-1.33) are associated with NVT use across urbanicity levels (all p < 0.05). Conclusions This work suggests that active transport behaviors of rural and urban living adolescents are influenced by different neighborhood environment characteristics. Therefore, programs targeting active transport should consider specifics of the rural or urban context. Further, there is little overlap between factors associated with walking and NVT use, highlighting different needs based on transport mode choice.

3D Point Cloud Stitching for Object Detection with Wide FoV Using Roadside LiDAR

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is widely used in the perception of physical environment to complete object detection and tracking tasks. The current methods and datasets are mainly developed for autonomous vehicles, which could not be directly used for roadside perception. This paper presents a 3D point cloud stitching method for object detection with wide horizontal field of view (FoV) using roadside LiDAR. Firstly, the base detection model is trained by KITTI dataset and has achieved detection accuracy of 88.94. Then, a new detection range of 180° can be inferred to break the limitation of camera’s FoV. Finally, multiple sets of detection results from a single LiDAR are stitched to build a 360° detection range and solve the problem of overlapping objects. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been evaluated using KITTI dataset and collected point clouds. The experimental results show that the point cloud stitching method offers a cost-effective solution to achieve a larger FoV, and the number of output objects has increased by 77.15% more than the base model, which improves the detection performance of roadside LiDAR.

Evaluating an Inpatient Created Art Installation on Perceptions of the Physical Environment, Health Status, and Rehabilitation Motivation.

A methodology to assess the impact of involving end users in therapeutic activities to address the hospital physical environment is provided. The impact of participating in a recreational art creation program with the aim of developing an art installation on the immediate feelings of participants and their perception of the physical rehabilitation environment (PPRE) and motivation to participate in rehabilitation (MPR) is investigated. Rehabilitation unit design has largely excluded the perspectives of end users with disability. Including their aesthetic design contributions moves beyond contemporary approaches where their perspectives are considered. A two-period, mixed-methods pre-post intervention design involving within and between group comparisons is proposed. During Period 1, program participants and nonparticipants completed admission (T1) and discharge (T2) surveys including PPRE and MPR measures developed by the authors. Surveys pre and post each art session were completed. The art installation will be implemented within unit corridors. Period 2 participants will complete a T1 survey and their physical environment perceptions compared to Period 1 participants. Participating in the recreational art program significantly improved immediate levels of calmness, happiness, pain, and physical health. There is a positive relationship between environment perception and rehabilitation motivation. People with disability should be actively involved in healthcare environment design. Arts-based programs have relevance to people with neurological injury as it promotes essential sensory stimulation. The methodology and findings can encourage further work which involves end users in the design of healthcare environments and evaluates the impact of their involvement.

The Effects of Land Tenure Policy on the Environment in the Gambella Region

An attempt is made to investigate the consequences of land tenure policy on the environment enhancing reforestation as a means of ascertaining tenure security in the Gambella region. This paper sheds light on the acc elerated pace of deforestation in the study area and its impact on the environment. The theoretical and conceptual issues of the interrelation between reforestation, deforestation, land tenure system, and other socio-economic indicators have been given due attention in the literature review. Research methodology gives much focus on qualitative data analysis that uses ranges of data collection approaches; FGD, KII, semi-structured household interviews with the inclusion of secondary data reviews. The paper considers the effect of land tenure system on the environment and discusses the landholding system in the study area, including customary land rights among the Nuer, the Anywaa, and the Majangir. To this effect, external factors and urban expansions are addressed with the view to understanding the impact of socio-cultural practice on physical environment perception and management. A conclusion and policy implications are also discussed.

Investigation of the Physical Learning Environment of Distance Learning Under COVID-19 and Its Influence on Students' Health and Learning Satisfaction

Most undergraduates in Mainland China receive distance education from home because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The unique physical environment of distance learning may have effects not only on student learning but also on student physical and mental health. This study reviewed related studies of the physical learning environment and its influence on learners' physical and mental health. Using factor analysis, the authors developed a questionnaire to measure students' perceptions towards their physical learning environment and their physical and mental health and verified the reliability. Regression analysis was used to explore the influence of physical environment perception on physical health and mental health perception, as well as the predictive ability of these three factors on learning satisfaction. The results of this study provide researchers and educators with insight into learners' perceptions of the physical learning environment and their physical and mental health under COVID-19 and offer suggestions for improving distance-learning satisfaction.

건강증진을 위한 도시공원의 물리적 환경요소 평가† - 서울시를 대상으로 -

This study quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes the physical environment for health promotion in urban parks by indicators that were selected in consideration of overseas cases and previous studies. To evenly distribute the areas to be evaluated by region, Seodaemun Independence Park, Hongneung Park, Gocheok Park, Sillim Park, Cheongdam Park, Gaepo Park, and Sungin Park were selected among the old neighborhood parks already established in Seoul. The evaluation indicators consist of quantitative indicators (12 factors classified into the three categories of the surrounding environment, the park characteristics, and the park facilities) and qualitative indicators (14 factors classified according to the five categories of accessibility, safety, convenience, activities, and amenities). These indicators were selected after conducting advisory meetings with experts in the field. The physical environment perception factors were evaluated by experts and investigators by field inspections and were rated on a three-point scale (high, medium, low). According to the results of the analysis, first, not only were exercise facilities and trails, but also various factors which support health activities, such as rest areas, leisure spots, and cultural facilities, as well as accessibility, cleanliness, and drinking water facilities are important indicators for health promotion. Second, even if the requirements are met for quantitative factors, several inconveniences hinder the actual implementation or use in the qualitative evaluation. Thus, both quantitative and qualitative evaluations must be simultaneously performed for the proper judging of the physical environment of a park. Third, upon conducting a qualitative evaluation of the physical environmental factors, score differences depended on the evaluated categories in each park. These differences show that indirect indicators, such as accessibility, safety, and facility convenience are insufficiently equipped compared to direct indicators, such as activity, which includes exercise facilities and fitness centers for health promotion. As the utilization rate of parks is increasing due to COVID-19, more efforts should be made to improve park services in the post-corona era. To promote such services, it is necessary to regularly evaluate parks based on both quantitative and qualitative indicators and to contemplate services not only through direct factors but also indirect factors and security measures.

Do physical activity and sedentary time mediate the association of the perceived environment with BMI? The IPEN adult study.

The study's main aim was to examine whether adults' accelerometer-based physical activity and sedentary time mediated the associations of neighbourhood physical environmental perceptions with body mass index (BMI) and weight status across 10 high- and middle-income countries. Data from the IPEN Adult study, an observational multi-country study (n=5712) were used. Results showed that sedentary time was a non-significant or inconsistent mediator in all models. MVPA mediated the associations of street connectivity, land use mix-diversity, infrastructure/safety for walking and aesthetics with BMI in single models. In the multiple model, MVPA only fully mediated the relation between land use mix-diversity and BMI. This finding was replicated in the models with weight status as outcome. MVPA partially mediated associations of composite environmental variables with weight status. So, although MVPA mediated some associations, future comprehensive studies are needed to determine other mechanisms that could explain the relation between the physical environment and weight outcomes. Food intake, food accessibility and the home environment may be important variables to consider. Based on the consistency of results across study sites, global advocacy for policies supporting more walkable neighbourhoods should seek to optimize land-use-mix when designing and re-designing cities or towns.

Impacts of Physical Environment Perception on the Frailty Condition in Older People.

Frailty increases the vulnerability of older people who commonly develop a syndrome leading to growing dependence and finally often death. Physical environment conditions may affect the severity of the syndrome positive or negatively. The main objective of this study was to analyse the conditions of different urban physical environments and their relationship with the frailty syndrome in older people. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses were performed to detect global and local geographic clustering. Investigating 284 adults with ages from 60 to 74 years old from Talca City, Chile, we found spatial clustering of frailty conditions registered for older people, with hotspots of high and low values associated with areas of different urban infrastructures and socioeconomic levels into the city. The spatial identifications found should facilitate exploring the impact of mental health programmes in communities exposed to disasters like earthquakes, thereby improving their quality of life as well as reducing overall costs. Spatial correlation has a great potential for studying frailty conditions in older people with regard to better understanding the impact of environmental conditions on health.

Classroom Indoor Environment Assessment through Architectural Analysis for the Design of Efficient Schools

Optimization of environmental performance is one of the standards to be achieved towards designing sustainable buildings. Many researchers are focusing on zero emission building; however, it is essential that the indoor environment favors the performance of the building purpose. Empirical research has demonstrated the influence of architectural space variables on student performance, but they have not focused on holistic studies that compare how space influences different academic performance, such as Mathematics and Arts. This manuscript explores, under self-reported data, the relationship between learning space and the mathematics and art performance in 583 primary school students in Galicia (Spain). For this, the Indoor Physical Environment Perception scale has been adapted and validated and conducted in 27 classrooms. The results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis have evidenced that the learning space is structured in three categories: Workspace comfort, natural environment and building comfort. Multiple linear regression analyses have supported previous research and bring new findings concerning that the indoor environment variables do not influence in the same way different activities of school architecture.

Architectural Indoor Analysis: A Holistic Approach to Understand the Relation of Higher Education Classrooms and Academic Performance

The influence of learning space on users has been broadly accepted and tested. However, the literature has focused on single factor research, instead of holistic approaches. Additionally, lower educational levels have been the focus of interest, while higher education is moving towards multi-method teaching. This paper focuses on how learning spaces for different purposes (practice and lecture rooms) may influence academic performance from a holistic approach of learning physical environment perception. For this, the iPEP scale (Indoor physical environment perception) is used and validated through Cronbach Alpha and Exploratory Factorial Analysis. Then, multiple linear regression is conducted. The results indicate that iPEP measures near to 63 percent of the construct, which is structured in six factors. Moreover, linear regression analyses support previous literature concerning the influence of learning physical environment on academic performance (R2 = 0.154). The differences obtained between practice and lecture room in terms of predictor variables bring to the light the need to diagnose learning environments before designing changes in educational buildings. This research provides a self-reported way to measure indoor environments, as well as evidence concerning the modern university, which desires to combine several teaching methods.

Early Childhood Education and Care Physical Environment and Child Development: State of the art and Reflections on Future Orientations and Methodologies

In relation to the growing attention to the quality of physical space in early childhood education and care (ECEC), the present scoping review aims to define the state of the art regarding the relationship between the physical environment of ECEC services and the psychological development of children. After 50 years of research in this field, this contribution should promote understanding of what scientific studies have achieved so far, in order to prompt useful reflections for education professionals and identify future directions of research. A systematic analysis of the psychological and educational databases has provided 88 publications on the topic. The contents of the studies identified refer to two main thematic areas: “perception of physical environment,” which includes both children’s and adults’ perceptions, and “relation between physical environment and child development,” which includes behavioral, cognitive, and emotional aspects of development. Although the studies included have used several methods and investigated different aspects of environment, systematic analysis has enabled the identification of some topics that recur among the studies, such as the significance of adults’ awareness about their perception of space, the importance of a child-centered approach, and the relevance of the participation of stakeholders in the design processes. Finally, these main findings are summarized and reflections on future conceptual and methodological orientations in the field are discussed.

Cyber-Physical System and Its Application in Textile and Chemical Fiber Enterprises

Cyber-Physical system (referred to as CPS) is based on the physical environment perception, the use of sensor, wireless communication network and computer system to detect and control the machine technology. It is a modern physics system with a set of computing, communication and control as one. Textile and chemical fiber industry as China’s traditional pillar industries of the national economy, in the context of the new normal economy, is of great significance in the transformation and upgrading for boosting industrial development, enhance the competitiveness of the industry at home and abroad. This paper takes Zhejiang xinfengming group as an example, describing it with the help of CPS technology upgrading in production technology, process and enterprise management. The production capacity, management ability and competitiveness of the industry obtain great improvement, making great significance to the traditional textile industry transformation and upgrading.

공원 내 물리적 환경인식이 건강증진 목적의 공원이용에 미치는 영향 - 대구광역시 수성구 근린공원을 대상으로 -

공원 내 물리적 환경인식이 건강증진 목적의 공원이용에 미치는 영향 - 대구광역시 수성구 근린공원을 대상으로 -

Segmenting the Perception of Physical Environment and Satisfaction for Baseball Spectators

Segmenting the Perception of Physical Environment and Satisfaction for Baseball Spectators

Perceived environmental correlates of cycling for transport among adults in five regions of Europe.

Regular cycling for transport is an important potential contributor to daily physical activity among adults. Characteristics of the physical environment are likely to influence cycling for transport. The current study investigated associations between perceived physical environmental neighbourhood factors and adults' cycling for transport across five urban regions across Europe, and whether such associations were moderated by age, gender, education and urban region. A total of 4,612 adults from five European regions provided information about their transport-related cycling and their neighbourhood physical environmental perceptions in an online survey. Hurdle models adjusted for the clustering within neighbourhoods were performed to estimate associations between perceived physical environmental neighbourhood factors and odds of engaging in cycling for transport and minutes of cycling for transport per week. Inhabitants of neighbourhoods that were perceived to be polluted, having better street connectivity, having lower traffic speed levels and being less pleasant to walk or cycle in had higher levels of cycling for transport. Moderation analyses revealed only one interaction effect by gender. This study indicates that cycling for transport is associated with a number of perceived physical environmental neighbourhood factors across five urban regions across Europe. Our results indicated that the majority of the outcomes identified were valid for all subgroups of age, gender, education and across regions in the countries included in the study.

Environmental perceptions as mediators of the relationship between the objective built environment and walking among socio-economically disadvantaged women.

BackgroundWomen living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods are at increased risk for physical inactivity and associated health outcomes and are difficult to reach through personally tailored interventions. Targeting the built environment may be an effective strategy in this population subgroup. The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of environmental perceptions in the relationship between the objective environment and walking for transportation/recreation among women from socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods.MethodsBaseline data of the Resilience for Eating and Activity Despite Inequality (READI) study were used. In total, 4139 women (18–46 years) completed a postal survey assessing physical environmental perceptions (aesthetics, neighbourhood physical activity environment, personal safety, neighbourhood social cohesion), physical activity, and socio-demographics. Objectively-assessed data on street connectivity and density of destinations were collected using a Geographic Information System database and based on the objective z-scores, an objective destinations/connectivity score was calculated. This index was positively scored, with higher scores representing a more favourable environment. Two-level mixed models regression analyses were conducted and the MacKinnon product-of-coefficients test was used to examine the mediating effects.ResultsThe destinations/connectivity score was positively associated with transport-related walking. The perceived physical activity environment mediated 6.1% of this positive association. The destinations/connectivity score was negatively associated with leisure-time walking. Negative perceptions of aesthetics, personal safety and social cohesion of the neighbourhood jointly mediated 24.1% of this negative association.ConclusionFor women living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, environmental perceptions were important mediators of the relationship between the objective built environment and walking. To increase both transport-related and leisure-time walking, it is necessary to improve both objective walkability-related characteristics (street connectivity and proximity of destinations), and perceptions of personal safety, favourable aesthetics and neighbourhood social cohesion.

Relationship between perceptions about neighborhood environment and prevalent obesity: data from the Dallas Heart Study.

Although psychosocial stress can result in adverse health outcomes, little is known about how perceptions of neighborhood conditions, a measure of environment-derived stress, may impact obesity. We examined the association between perceptions of neighborhood environment and obesity [defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2] among 5907 participants in the Dallas Heart Study, a multi-ethnic, probability-based sample of Dallas County residents. Participants were asked to respond to 18 questions about perceptions of their neighborhood. Using factor analysis, we identified three factors associated with neighborhood perceptions: neighborhood violence, physical environment, and social cohesion. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between each factor (higher quintile = more unfavorable perceptions) and the odds of obesity. Decreasing age, income, and education associated with unfavorable overall neighborhood perceptions and unfavorable perceptions about specific neighborhood factors (p trend <0.05 for all). Increasing BMI was associated with unfavorable perceptions about physical environment (p trend <0.05), but not violence or social cohesion. After adjustment for race, age, sex, income, education, and length of residence, physical environment perception score in the highest quintile remained associated with a 25% greater odds of obesity [OR 1.25,(95% CI 1.03–1.50)]. Predictors of obesity related to environmental perceptions included heavy traffic [OR 1.39,(1.17–1.64)], trash/litter in neighborhood[OR 1.27,(1.01–1.46)], lack of recreational areas[OR 1.21,(1.01–1.46)], and lack of sidewalks[OR 1.25,(95% CI 1.04–1.51)]. Thus, unfavorable perceptions of environmental physical conditions are related to increased obesity. Efforts to improve the physical characteristics of neighborhoods, or the perceptions of those characteristics, may assist in the prevention of obesity in this community.

The Relationships among Visitor's Motivation, Physical Environment Perception and Behavioral Intentions in Exhibition

The Relationships among Visitor's Motivation, Physical Environment Perception and Behavioral Intentions in Exhibition

커피전문점 이용 실태 및 커피전문점의 물리적 환경이 고객 행동 의도에 미치는 영향 - 서울.경기 지역 대학생을 중심으로

The main purposes of this study were to assess coffee shop use and to identify the influence of physical environment of a coffee chop on customer behavioral intention. The survey was administered from April to May 2011, targeting twenties college students in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province. A total of 174 copies of the questionnaire were collected for the data analyses such as frequency test, descriptive analysis, chi-square analysis, reliability test, factor analysis, ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test and multiple regression analysis using SPSS 17.0 program. The main results of this study were as follows: The number of visits was once or twice a week. Students went with their friends to the coffee shop. Most of the students answered that they visit the coffee shop at any time. The main purpose of visit was to have time to relax. The main source in choosing a coffee shop was recommendation from others. The main criterion for the selection of the coffee shop was atmosphere. Americano was a favorite drink. Coffee was drunk with a cake. Expenditure per visit was 3,000~5,000 won. The choice of the coffee shop was selected by the student. The factor analysis identified seven underlying dimensions of coffee shop physical environment perceptions (seating comfort, attractiveness, cleanliness, harmony, ambient condition, congestion, amenity) and one dimension of customer behavioral intention. Through multiple regression analyses, four determinants (attractiveness, cleanliness, amenity, ambient condition) were found to have the greatest impact on customer behavioral intention.

Environmental and Psychosocial Correlates of Accelerometer-Assessed and Self-Reported Physical Activity in Belgian Adults

Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity (PA) on overall health, the majority of the adult population does not engage in sufficient PA. To develop effective interventions to increase PA, it is necessary to understand the most important PA correlates and to investigate whether correlates are similar in different population subgroups. This study examined associations between physical environmental perceptions and self-reported and objectively assessed PA in Belgian adults. Moreover, associations between psychosocial factors and PA, and the moderating effects of sociodemographic factors were investigated. A sample of 1,200 Belgian adults (20-65years; 47.9% males) completed a survey measuring sociodemographic variables and psychosocial correlates, the Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale and the long-version International Physical Activity Questionnaire. They wore an accelerometer for 7days. Perceiving neighborhoods to be high walkable (high residential density, high land use mix access, and high land use mix diversity) and recreation facilities to be convenient, and the availability of home PA equipment were the most consistent physical environmental correlates of PA. The strongest psychosocial correlates were social support from friends and family and self-efficacy. The psychosocial associations were most consistent for self-reported leisure-time PA and less clear for self-reported active transportation and accelerometer-assessed PA. Few significant sociodemographic moderators were found. Both physical environmental and psychosocial factors were associated with PA in adults, with psychosocial factors being important especially for leisure-time PA. Correlates of PA were similar regardless of gender, age, or socio-economic status, so interventions to change these factors could have population-wide effects.