Quantifying the quality of outdoor space in high-intensity residential areas: A case study of Nanjing in China

Abstract

The quality of outdoor space in residential areas is of great importance to residents. However, the existing studies predominately focus on a certain types of open space. In addition, there is lack of objective quantification. In this study, a novel approach is developed in order to quantify the quality of outdoor space based on the identification of value dimensions and the classification of the open spaces. Firstly, the residential outdoor space is divided into six types of open space. Secondly, the value weights of different open spaces are calculated through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on the data from on-site and online questionnaire survey. Finally, the approach developed in this study was tested in high intensity residential areas. Results of this study helps to better understand the quality of outdoor space in high intensity residential development, hence provides useful inputs for the future planning of such developments.

Keywords

High-intensity residential areas / Quality of outdoor space / Control index / Open space / Value weight

References

[1] Azad, S.P. , Morinaga, R. , Kobayashi, H. , 2018. Effect of housing layout and open space morphology on residential environments: applying new density indices for evaluation of residential areas, case study: Tehran, Iran. J. Asian Architect. Build Eng. 17 (1), 79- 86.

[2] Barton, J. , Rogerson, M. , 2017. The importance of greenspace for mental health. BJPsych Int. 14 (4), 79- 81.

[3] Chang, N. , Luo, G. , Yuan, J. , 2020. Study on green environment resources of urban residential areas and multidimensional impact. Arabian J. Geosci. 13 (1), 2.

[4] Cheng, J. , Chen, M. , Tang, S. , 2023. Shenzhen—A typical benchmark of Chinese rapid urbanization miracle. Cities 140, 104421.

[5] Cheng, S. , Zhang, X. , Cheng, Z. , Zhang, G. , 2023. Correlation between greening morphology of outdoor spaces in high-rise residential areas and human perception preferences: a bird's-eye view study. Landscape Architecture 30 (8), 72- 79.

[6] De Bell, S. , White, M. , Griffiths, A. , Darlow, A. , Taylor, T. , Wheeler, B. , Lovell, R. , 2020. Spending time in the garden is positively associated with health and wellbeing: results from a national survey in England. Landsc. Urban Plann. 200, 103836.

[7] Ding, Z. , 2010. Research on Water Feature Design in Urban Residential Areas. Zhejiang University.

[8] Fan, L. , Cao, J. , Hu, M. , Yin, C. , 2022. Exploring the importance of neighborhood characteristics to and their nonlinear effects on life satisfaction of displaced senior farmers. Cities 124, 103605.

[9] Guo, Y. , Zhu, J. , Liu, X. , 2018. Implication of rural urbanization with place-based entitlement for social inequality in China. Cities 82, 77- 85.

[10] Hao, P. , 2015. Study on the Relationship between Outdoor Social Space in Residential Districts and Residents' Behavior. Hefei University of Technology. Doctoral dissertation.

[11] He, J. , 2022. Research on Elderly-Friendly Adaptation of Elevated Floor Spaces Based on Elderly Behavior Characteristics. Shenzhen Univ.

[12] Hou, H. , Zhang, J. , 2006. Preliminary exploration of environmental design evaluation of residential communities. Chinese Landscape Archit 10, 21- 24.

[13] Hua, H. , Fan, J. , Wu, L. , 2009. Fuzzy decision-making and evaluation of environmental quality improvement for residential area. 2009 Sixth Int. Conf. Fuzzy Syst. Knowl. Discov. 6, 222- 226.

[14] Huang, T. , Li, J. , Xie, Y. , Niu, J. , Mak, C.M. , 2017. Simultaneous environmental parameter monitoring and human subject survey regarding outdoor thermal comfort and its modelling. Build. Environ. 125, 502- 514.

[15] Jin, H. , Shao, T. , Zhang, R. , 2017. Effect of water body forms on microclimate of residential districts. Energy Proc. 134, 256- 265.

[16] Jung, I.S. , Lee, C.S. , 2012. Fuzzy inference and AHP-based alternative evaluation tool in the development of sustainable residential land. KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 16, 273- 282.

[17] Lei, L. , 2011. Research on the Scale of External Spaces in Low-Rise, High-Density Residential Areas in Cities. Hunan University. Master's thesis.

[18] Li, B. , Wu, Y. , 2023. Current situation and problem analysis of landscape space planning in residential elevated floors. Footwear Craft Des 2023 (22), 129- 131.

[19] Li, G. , Zhang, X. , Mirzaei, P.A. , Zhang, J. , Zhao, Z. , 2018. Urban heat island effect of a typical valley city in China: responds to the global warming and rapid urbanization. Sustain. Cities Soc. 38, 736- 745.

[20] Li, Q. , Zhang, X. , Wan, X. , 2022. Spatial efficiency evaluation for outdoor environment in high-rise residential area: a data envelopment analysis approach. Math. Probl Eng. 2022 (1), 4141412.

[21] Li, Y. , Wang, Z. , 2023. Study on the behavioral differences and environmental demands of elderly with and without children in residential outdoor spaces: a case study of Xingyuan Community. Zhengzhou. Residential Districts 2023 (03), 40- 44.

[22] Liu, J. , Niu, J. , Zhang, Y. , 2017. Evaluation of the impact of building elevation and wind direction on the microclimate in pedestrian zones. Build. Sci. 33 (12), 117- 124.

[23] Liu, M. , Huang, N. , Chen, H. , 2023. Optimization design of outdoor activity spaces in residential areas based on perceived accessibility. Residential Districts 2023 (1), 97- 103.

[24] Liu, Y. , Shen, L. , Ren, Y. , Zhou, T. , 2023. Regeneration towards suitability: a decision-making framework for determining urban regeneration mode and strategies. Habitat Int. 138, 102870.

[25] Liu, Y. , Wang, R. , Grekousis, G. , et al., 2019. Neighbourhood greenness and mental wellbeing in Guangzhou, China: what are the pathways? Landsc. Urban Plann. 190, 103602.

[26] Lu, Y. , Li, X. , 2012. Analysis of the planning of neighborhood communication space in the livable community. Appl. Mech. Mater. 1801 (174), 14- 19.

[27] Mei, X. , 2010. Design of Water Features in High-End Residential Communities. Nanchang Univ.

[28] Nejad, J.M. , Sharghi, A. , Asadpour, F. , 2020. Investigating the Effective Indicators on the Desirable Quality of Open and Semiopen Spaces of Contemporary Housing. Iran Univ. Sci. Technol.

[29] Niu, J. , Liu, J. , Lee, T. , et al., 2015. A new method to assess spatial variations of outdoor thermal comfort: onsite monitoring results and implications for precinct planning. Build. Environ. 91, 263- 270.

[30] Niu, T. , Qing, L. , Han, L. , Long, Y. , Hou, J. , Li, L. , Teng, Q. , 2022. Small public space vitality analysis and evaluation based on human trajectory modeling using video data. Build. Environ. 225, 109563.

[31] Ono, H. , Muya, M. , 2024. Relationship between land tenure and land use in unplanned settlements in Lusaka, Zambia. Habitat Int. 143, 102985.

[32] Opoku, R.A. , Abdul-Muhmin, A.G. , 2010. Housing preferences and attribute importance among low-income consumers in Saudi Arabia. Habitat Int. 34 (2), 219- 227.

[33] Peng, S. , Maing, M. , 2021. Influential factors of age-friendly neighborhood open space under high-intensity high-rise housing context in hot weather: a case study of public housing in Hong Kong. Cities 115, 103231.

[34] Poulain, T. , Sobek, C. , Ludwig, J. , et al., 2020. Associations of green spaces and streets in the living environment with outdoor activity, media use, overweight/obesity and emotional wellbeing in children and adolescents. Int. J. Environ. Res. Publ. Health 17 (17), 6321.

[35] Rajé, F. , Tight, M. , Pope, F.D. , 2018. Traffic pollution: a search for solutions for a city like Nairobi. Cities 82, 100- 107.

[36] Shen, M. , Sun, S. , Wang, J. , Zhang, L. , 2024. Review of residential satisfaction research for affordable housing populations. Archit. Cult. 2024 (3), 154- 157.

[37] Shu, P. , Ding, Y. , 2018. Research on the strategy of adapting and renewing public activity spaces in existing residential areas for the elderly in Tianjin. Zhongwai Jianzhu Chinese Foreign Archit 2018 (9), 34- 36.

[38] Song, H. , Pan, M. , Chen, Y. , 2016. Nightlife and public spaces in urban villages: a case study of the Pearl River Delta in China. Habitat Int. 57, 187- 204.

[39] Soma, I. , Ugoku, Y. , 1986. Environmental Psychology. Zhou, C., Li, M. (Trans.). China Architecture & Building Press.

[40] Steinig, S. , Simon, J. , 2005. Under One Roof: A Guide to Starting and Strengthening Intergenerational Shared Site Programs.

[41] Sumari, N.S. , Cobbinah, P.B. , Ujoh, F. , Xu, G. , 2020. On the absurdity of rapid urbanization: spatio-temporal analysis of landuse changes in Morogoro, Tanzania. Cities 107, 102876.

[42] Sun, R. , Liu, J. , Lai, D. , Liu, W. , 2023. Building form and outdoor thermal comfort: inverse design the microclimate of outdoor space for a kindergarten. Energy Build. 284, 112824.

[43] Wang, D. , 2024. Research on Optimization Strategies of Water Space in Residential Areas from the Perspective of Emotional Preference. North China Univ. Technol.

[44] Wang, H. , 2024. The role of informal ruralization within China's rapid urbanization. Nature Cities. 1- 11.

[45] Wang, J. , 2011. Reflections on quantitative indicators of outdoor activity spaces and the setting of their facilities in residential areas. Hous. Ind. 2011 (8), 66- 69.

[46] Wang, J. , Wang, X. Jiang, B. , 2011. Structural Equation Modeling Methods and Applications. Higher Education Press, Beijing.

[47] Wang, R. , Feng, Z. , Liu, Y. , Qiu, Y. , 2020. Is lifestyle a bridge between urbanization and overweight in China? Cities 99 102616.

[48] Wei, Q. , 2015. Study on the Relationship between Elementary Students' Stopover Behaviors on Their Way Home and Urban Space Based on GPS Technology. Hefei University of Technology[D].

[49] Yang, J. , Liu, Y. , Zhang, B. , 2023. High-rise residential outdoor space value system: a case study of Yangtze River Delta area. Int. J. Environ. Res. Publ. Health 20 (4), 3111.

[50] Yang, P. , 2020. Research on the Relationship between Children's Behavior and Outdoor Activity Spaces in Residential Areas in Shenyang. Shenyang Jianzhu Univ.

[51] Yi, H. , Deng, P. , Wu, Y. , 2020. Exploration of optimization of ground floor space environment in high-rise residential areas: based on the types of elderly community activities. South. Archit. 2020 (4), 60- 65.

[52] Zhang, G. , 2008. Preliminary study on the outdoor landscape evaluation index system of Beijing residential area. Master's Thesis. Beijing Forestry University.

[53] Zhang, Z. , Wang, M. , Xu, Z. , Ye, Y. , Chen, S. , Pan, Y. , Chen, J. , 2021. The influence of community sports parks on residents' subjective well-being: a case study of Zhuhai City, China. Habitat Int. 117, 102439.

[54] Zhao, Z. , Pan, Y. , Zhu, J. , Wu, J. , Zhu, R. , 2022. The impact of urbanization on the delivery of public service—related SDGs in China. Sustain. Cities Soc. 80, 103776.

[55] Zhou, C. , Wang, X. , 2015. Research on the expansion of threedimensional indexes of high-rise high-intensity residential areas. J. Hum. Settlements West China 30 (1), 118- 124.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s). Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Higher Education Press and KeAi.