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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Forestry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2023 | Viewed by 10727

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jiang Liu

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Guest Editor

School of Architecture and Urban-Rural Planning, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: multi-sensory landscape experience and mechanism; soundscape design and soundscape resource management; landsenses ecology; ecological planning and design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Xinhao Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Planning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
Interests: environmental planning; resilience; geographic information system

Dr. Xin-Chen Hong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Architecture and Urban-Rural Planning, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: noise; social sensing; urban planning; computational social science; public health; urban forests
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are inviting submissions for the Special Issue focusing on “Landsenses in Green Spaces”.

The term “landsenses” comes from “landsenses ecology”. As a newly emerging scientific discipline based on ecological principles and the analytical framework of natural elements, physical senses, psychological perceptions, socio-economic perspectives, process-risk, and associated aspects, it integrates landscape ecology with people’s vision and social needs, focusing on land-use planning, construction, and management toward sustainable development. Landsenses emphasize the integration of human perception from sensory and psychological dimensions into ecological environmental research. Green spaces, as important ecological infrastructure, provide multiple ecological system services and contribute to human well-being—especially in densely built environments. Theories and technical approaches are becoming increasingly multi-disciplinary concerning how landscape experience can affect human mental and/or physical status and well-being. The fields concerned with the planning, design and management of green spaces also highlight the role of multi-sensory perception led by traditional visual perception in landscape experience, with an aim of creating high-quality landscape. In this context, we believe that the theory proposed by landscape ecology could not only be an effective way to explore the relationship between human and the environment, but also an important methodological and technical approach for green space development.

Thus, we propose this Special Issue, “Landsenses in Green Spaces”. We welcome submissions of original research articles, reports or technical notes, reviews, and mini-reviews covering, but not limited to, the following topics:

Mechanisms of multi-sensory interaction and the effects;
Indicators for landsenses characteristics of green spaces;
Landsenses with cultural and regional significance;
Theoretical and technical approaches for landsenses creation;
Innovative application of Internet of Things and multi-source data in green space studies;
Social perception, machinery perception and virtual reality;
Planning, design and management of green space based on landsenses ecology.

Prof. Dr. Jiang Liu
Prof. Dr. Xinhao Wang
Dr. Xin-Chen Hong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

green space
landsenses ecology
multi-sensory interaction
psychological perception
environmental behavior and health
Internet of Things
sustainable development

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 12290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Scale Effects of Landscape Pattern on Soundscape Perception in Residential Green Spaces

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Forests 2023, 14(12), 2323; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14122323 - 27 Nov 2023

Viewed by 266

Abstract

Soundscape quality in green spaces of residential areas directly contributes to residents’ quality of life. It has close relationships with landscape characteristics, which should be considered in landscape planning and design processes in residential areas. Accordingly, this study proposed a new perspective on the interrelationships between soundscape perception and landscape pattern on multi-scale, based on a case study of 30 residential green spaces in Fuzhou, China. Percentage of Landscape (PLAND), Patch Density (PD), Landscape Shape Index (LSI), and Patch cohesion index (COHESION) were utilized to represent the landscape pattern of vegetation, buildings, and roads in the residential areas. Soundscape perception was interpreted using the sound dominant degree (SDD) of sound sources and overall soundscape quality. The examined spatial scales range from 20 m to 180 m, with concentric circles spaced 20 m apart for each sampling point. Correlation analyses indicated that most landscape indices of vegetation and buildings were correlated with these soundscape perception indicators, while limited landscape indices of roads were associated with them. Based on the multi-scale landscape indices, multiple linear regression models for the SDD of sound sources and overall soundscape quality were established, confirming that the scale effect of landscape patterns can affect soundscape perception. Expressly, results indicated that these models were chiefly influenced by the landscape indices at a scale less than 120 m, but the scale effect of landscape pattern on the SDD of birdsong, pleasantness, and quietness was not so evident. Furthermore, we found that the number of explanatory variables may somewhat affect the model performance. The overall interpretability of these landscape indices for the SDD of sound sources was better than that of overall soundscape quality, implying the complexity of the latter. This study offers a fresh insight into the relationship between landscapes and soundscapes at varying scales. The findings can provide useful information for the promotion strategies of landscapes and soundscapes, especially in residential green spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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22 pages, 6523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting and Visualizing Human Soundscape Perception in Large-Scale Urban Green Spaces: A Case Study of the Chengdu Outer Ring Ecological Zone

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Forests 2023, 14(10), 1946; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14101946 - 25 Sep 2023

Viewed by 579

Abstract

Human soundscape perceptions exist through the perceived environment rather than the physical environment itself and are determined not only by the acoustic environment but also by the visual environment and their interaction. However, these relationships have mainly been established at the individual level, which may impede the efficient delivery of human-oriented considerations in improving the quality of large-scale urban spaces. Using the Chengdu Outer Ring Ecological Zone as an example, this study aims to develop an approach to predict human perceptions in large-scale urban green spaces. The site’s visual attributes, i.e., landscape composition, were calculated using space syntax and the quantum geographic information system (QGIS); its aural attributes, i.e., the sound level, were measured on site using a multi-channel signal analyzer; and its functional attributes, i.e., vitality, were documented through on-site observations and mapping. This was performed whilst obtaining people’s perceived soundscape through sound walks and a questionnaire-based on-site survey. The above environmental information was collected at micro-scale measurement spots selected within the site and then used together to formulate a model for predicting people’s soundscape perceptions in the whole site. The prediction results suggested that people’s perceived soundscape satisfaction increased as the distance from the ring road increased, and it gradually reached its highest level in the green spaces stretched outside the ring road. The prediction results of soundscape perception were then visualized using QGIS to develop planning and design implications, along with maps describing the site’s visual, aural, and functional features. Planning and design implications were suggested, including setting green buffers between noise sources and vulnerable areas; identifying and preserving areas with special visual and acoustic characteristics; employing sound shields around traffic facilities; and using natural landscapes to distract people’s attention from noise and to block their view of the source of noise. This study innovatively predicts individual-scale soundscape perception in large-scale UGSs based on environmental visual, aural, and functional characteristics through cross-level measurements, analyses, and model construction. By introducing a systematic perspective, the outcome of this study makes people’s soundscape perceptions more applicable in the planning and design practices of large-scale urban settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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16 pages, 14075 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Comfort Analysis and Optimization Strategies of Green Spaces in Chinese Traditional Settlements

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Forests 2023, 14(7), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071501 - 22 Jul 2023

Viewed by 734

Abstract

The spatial pattern of Weizi settlements features distinct regional characteristics. Moreover, it contains profound wisdom in terms of traditional construction; therefore, studies on its association with the microclimate have important implications for improving the quality of human settlements. In the present study, Guanweizi Village in the Xinyang City of Henan Province was used as an example to analyze and evaluate the thermal comfort of green spaces. The impact of peripheral water bodies on the thermal comfort of outdoor green spaces in the settlement was studied, and the association between the components of outdoor green spaces and physiological equivalent temperature as an indicator of thermal comfort was explored. Further, factors negatively affecting the thermal comfort of green spaces were analyzed through the grid method. Thermal comfort in the Weizi settlement is somewhat correlated with the coverage of water bodies, roads, soil, greening, and buildings. Increasing the water area and creating multi-level greening spaces are effective measures to improve the thermal comfort of green spaces in the settlement. Our findings provide a theoretical basis and a pioneering example for future practices of environment design for human settlements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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26 pages, 4538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Soundscape Preferences of the Elderly in the Urban Forest Parks of Underdeveloped Cities in China

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Forests 2023, 14(6), 1266; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14061266 - 19 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 918

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the global aging trend, the proportion of the elderly population is severely increasing in the urban areas of underdeveloped regions. Despite evidence that urban forest parks are effective at enhancing the physical and mental well-being of the elderly, little has been done to investigate the connection between urban forest parks and the elderly in underdeveloped regions, and landscape studies in particular are lacking. This study attempted to address this gap, using a subjective evaluation method in which 725 elderly respondents were engaged in a questionnaire survey on their soundscape preferences in the urban forest parks of an underdeveloped city in China. The results revealed the elderly people’s preferences for soundscapes, and a further analysis demonstrated the relationships between these preferences and landscape features. The effects of personal traits and living situations on soundscape preferences were determined by analyzing the impacts of living conditions, occupation, and education on soundscape preferences. By building a model with regression coefficients, the most powerful factors influencing soundscape choice were investigated. It was found that (1) the types of sound sources preferred by the elderly, in descending order, were natural sound, livestock sound, bird song, musical sound, other sounds. (2) The differences among education, occupation, and age all affected the participants’ soundscape preferences, i.e., the mean values of the soundscape preferences among older adults varied with education, occupation, and age. The mean value of soundscape preference was higher among older adults who had received higher education, were government officials and business managers, and belonged to higher age groups. (3) Among the various factors influencing the soundscape preference of the elderly, the most influential factors were the length of time spent in the waterfront environment, the time spent in the forest park, and the importance of road signs. (4) The preference for soundscapes was strongly connected with happiness in life. (5) Wearing a mask significantly reduced soundscape perception scores under epidemic conditions, while vaccinated individuals were more tolerant of various noises. Recommendations for landscape design to improve the soundscape perception of elderly people are accordingly provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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16 pages, 2836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Landscape Design Intensity and Its Associated Complexity of Forest Landscapes in Relation to Preference and Eye Movements

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Forests 2023, 14(4), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040761 - 07 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1103

Abstract

Understanding how people perceive landscapes is essential for the design of forest landscapes. The study investigates how design intensity affects landscape complexity, preference, and eye movements for urban forest settings. Eight groups of twenty-four pictures, representing lawn, path, and waterscape settings in urban forests, with each type of setting having two groups of pictures and one group having four pictures, were selected. The four pictures in each group were classified into slight, low, medium, and high design intensities. A total of 76 students were randomly assigned to observe one group of pictures within each type of landscape with an eye-tracking apparatus and give ratings of complexity and preference. The results indicate that design intensity was positively associated with subjective landscape complexity but was positively or negatively related to objective landscape complexity in three types of settings. Subjective landscape complexity was found to significantly contribute to visual preference across landscape types, while objective landscape complexity did not contribute to preference. In addition, the marginal effect of medium design intensity on preference was greater than that of low and high design intensity in most cases. Moreover, although some eye movement metrics were significantly related to preference in lawn settings, none were found to be indicative predictors for preference. The findings enrich research in visual preference and assist landscape designers during the design process to effectively arrange landscape design intensity in urban forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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21 pages, 5645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Landscape Elements on Public Psychology in Urban Park Waterfront Green Space: A Quantitative Study by Semantic Segmentation

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Forests 2023, 14(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020244 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1952

Abstract

Urban park waterfront green spaces provide positive mental health benefits to the public. In order to further explore the specific influence mechanism between landscape elements and public psychological response, 36 typical waterfront green areas in Xihu Park and Zuohai Park in Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China, were selected for this study. We used semantic segmentation technology to quantitatively decompose the 36 scenes of landscape elements and obtained a public psychological response evaluation using virtual reality technology combined with questionnaire interviews. The main results showed that: (1) the Pyramid Scene Parsing Network (PSPNet) is a model suitable for quantitative decomposition of landscape elements of urban park waterfront green space; (2) the public’s overall evaluation of psychological responses to the 36 scenes was relatively high, with the psychological dimension scoring the highest; (3) different landscape elements showed significant differences in four dimensions. Among the elements, plant layer, pavement proportion, and commercial facilities all have an impact on the four dimensions; and (4) the contribution rate of the four element types to the public’s psychological response is shown as spatial element (37.9%) > facility element (35.1%) > natural element (25.0%) > construction element (2.0%). The obtained results reveal the influence of different landscape elements in urban park waterfront green spaces on public psychology and behavior. Meanwhile, it provides links and methods that can be involved in the planning and design of urban park waterfront green space, and also provides emerging technical support and objective data reference for subsequent research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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21 pages, 6388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Harmonious Degree of Sound Sources Influencing Visiting Experience in Kulangsu Scenic Area, China

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Forests 2023, 14(1), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010138 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1461

Abstract

Soundscapes are important resources and contribute to high-quality visiting experiences in scenic areas. Based on a public investigation of 195 interviewees in the Kulangsu scenic area, this study aimed to explore the relationships between the harmonious degree of sound sources (SHD) and visiting experience indicators, in terms of soundscape perception, as well as the satisfaction degree of visual landscape and comprehensive impression. The results suggested that the dominating positions of human sounds did not totally suppress the perception of natural sounds such as birdsong and sea waves in the scenic area. Natural sound sources also showed a higher harmonious degree than other artificial sounds. Significant relationships existed between the SHD of most sound sources and the visiting experience indicators. Natural sounds were closely related to pleasant and comfortable soundscape perception, while mechanical sound sources were mainly related to eventful and varied soundscapes. The close relationships between certain sound sources and the satisfaction degree of the visual landscape and comprehensive impression evaluation indicated the effectiveness of audio-visual and even multi-sensory approaches to enhance visiting experience. The structural equation model further revealed that (1) natural sound was the most influential sound source of soundscape and visual landscape perception; (2) human sounds and mechanical sounds all showed significant positive effects on soundscape perception; and (3) indirect relationships could exist in the SHD of sound sources with comprehensive impression evaluation. The results can facilitate targeted soundscape and landscape management and landsense creation with the aim of improving visiting experience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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28 pages, 4621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Soundscape Evaluation in Forest-Type and Urban-Type Han Chinese Buddhist Temples

Dongxu Zhang

Xueliu Liu

and

Wei Mo

Forests 2023, 14(1), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010079 - 01 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1340

Abstract

Soundscapes are one of the main means of creating a religious atmosphere in Han Chinese Buddhist temples, which are the most important religious sites in China. This paper selected several representative forest-type and urban-type Han Chinese Buddhist temples and employed a questionnaire and sound level measurement methods to conduct a comparative analysis of four aspects of acoustic environment evaluation, i.e., quietness, comfort, harmony, and sound preference, to identify and compare the characteristics of respondents’ soundscape evaluation in these two types of temples. The results showed that compared with urban-type temples, respondents found the acoustic environment in forest-type temples to be quieter, more comfortable and more harmonious with the religious atmosphere. The sound level, measured with the questionnaire and respondents’ social characteristics, such as age, occupation, level of education, purpose and frequency of visiting the temples, and attitude towards Buddhist thought, influenced their soundscape evaluation of urban-type and forest-type temples to different degrees. Among the various kinds of sounds in the temple, natural sounds, such as the sounds of flowing water, birds and insects, and rustling leaves, were preferred in forest-type temples, while Buddhism-related human-made sounds, including chanting and background music, were preferred in urban-type temples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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18 pages, 3394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Spatial Characteristics and Visual and Smell Environments on the Soundscape of Waterfront Space in Mountainous Cities

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Forests 2023, 14(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010010 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1353

Abstract

The soundscape of waterfront space in mountainous cities (WSMC) can affect people’s physical and mental health. Taking seven WSMCs in Chongqing, China, as the study area, this study aimed to investigate the soundscape and explore the influence of spatial characteristics and visual and smell environments on the soundscape of WSMCs through a sensewalking approach. The results show that the soundscape evaluations of WSMCs are of poor quality, and traffic sounds are dominant (33%). Among spatial characteristics, the position relative to the road (including vertical and horizontal distances) had a greater impact than other spatial indicators on soundscape evaluations. Elevation was positively correlated with the A-weighted equivalent sound level (L_Aeq) and negatively correlated with the soundscape comfort degree (SCD). In terms of visual elements, the proportions of paved ground, pedestrians, and buildings had negative effects on the soundscape, while those of the sky, water, and natural terrain had positive effects. High visual and smell environment quality can enhance soundscape evaluations, although the smell environment had a greater impact on the SCD than the visual environment in WSMCs. Finally, this study summarizes the recommended values of spatial characteristics and visual and smell environment indicators to put forward references for the soundscape design of WSMCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)

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