China City Planning Review (No.4, 2024)

♦ Research on the Optimization of Spatial Layout of Video Surveillance in Urban Residential Areas Based on Crime Prevention

Wang Yi, Jiang Anbang, Li Zao, Liu Guoyuan, Zhang Shijing, Yang Lu, Weng Xinran

Edited by Qian Fang / Proofread by Tang Yan

DOI: 10.20113/j.ccpr.20240403a

Abstract The current spatial layout of video surveillance in urban residential areas primarily relies on the subjective assessments of personnel, which often results in issues like inadequate surveillance quality and inefficient resource use. To enhance monitoring effectiveness and ensure the rational allocation of surveillance resources, this paper proposes an optimization method for the spatial layout of residential video surveillance aimed at crime prevention. First, the residential area is divided into grids. From a crime prevention perspective, we construct an expected resource allocation matrix that outlines the demand for surveillance in each grid section. Next, we develop a surveillance resource contribution matrix to illustrate the coverage provided by the video surveillance systems. Additionally, candidate locations for surveillance cameras are identified based on the spatial structure of the residential area, ensuring that buildings do not obstruct the view. Using these components, we establish a spatial layout optimization model for residential video surveillance, which is then solved using a genetic algorithm. Finally, we present a simulation example to demonstrate the model’s applicability and effectiveness in enhancing the quality of residential video surveillance networks while optimizing resource allocation.

Keywords urban residential areas; video surveillance; spatial layout optimization; crime prevention

Full text is available at:<http://www.ccprjournal.com.cn/book/10328.htm>

♦  Essentials of Practical Planning Formulation for Villages on the Fringe of Large Cities Under the Territorial and Spatial Planning: A Case Study of Wuhan Donghu Hi-Tech Development Zone

Wu Chao, Cheng Shidan

Translated by Li Caige / Proofread by Lai Yuan

DOI: 10.20113/j.ccpr.20240404a

Abstract Village planning is a type of detailed planning in the territorial and spatial planning system which consists of planning of three types (i.e.,master planning, detailed planning, and sectoral planning) at five levels (i.e., state, province, city, county, and town/township), undertaking the statutory mission of resource element control and construction activity implementation in rural areas. Villages on the fringe of large cities are influenced by both urban and rural development due to their special geographical location, which has led to great difficulties in planning formulation. As a result, the results and effects of such planning have great demonstrative values. How to leverage the unique characteristics and values of these villages to solve the problems existing in the entire process from planning to construction, is a challenge in the formulation, utilization, and administration of village planning in the territorial and spatial planning system. Through a case study of the Wuhan Donghu Hi-Tech Development Zone, this paper focuses on addressing the needs of establishing a hierarchical planning content system, innovating the land use control mode, building a hierarchical approval system, and creating a categorized administrative system in the territorial and spatial master planning. Furthermore, it proposes practical strategies for village planning formulation, approval, and administration on the fringe of large cities, with the aim to provide reference for village planning in other regions.

Keywords territorial and spatial planning; fringe of large cities; village planning; essentials of planning formulation

Full text is available at:<http://www.ccprjournal.com.cn/book/10328.htm>

♦  Evaluation of Street Space Renovation in Historic Areas Using Deep Learning Based on Street View Imagery in the Human Visual Field

Abstract Regular evaluation of street space is essential for achieving sustainable development and dynamic maintenance of historic areas. Although quantitative evaluations using street view imagery are precise and efficient, they often fall short in capturing pedestrians’ visual experience, largely because images are collected from vehicles. Accordingly, this paper acquires street view imagery in the human visual field before and after the street space renovation by adjusting relevant parameters, and performs image semantic segmentation. From a pedestrian’s viewpoint, the paper develops street space evaluation indicators across four dimensions: comfort, identity, diversity, and walkability. The mean square deviation method is applied to assign weights to these indicators, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of street space in historic areas. In addition to evaluating the renovation results, it proposes improvement suggestions that may provide insights into the evaluation practices of street space renovations in historic areas and contribute to improving street space quality.

Keywords street space; human visual field; street view imagery; historic areas; deep learning

Full text is available at:<http://www.ccprjournal.com.cn/book/10328.htm>

♦  Emotional Perceptions on Environmental Elements: A Case Study on Traditional Villages Based on Online Reviews and Machine Learning

Abstract For traditional villages, evaluating one’s emotional perceptions on their environment is of great significance for promoting their sustainable development. Through a case study on traditional villages in China, this research developed a quantitative approach for studying the influence of environmental elements on emotional perceptions in a wide scope. 76 traditional villages across China were selected as cases and the online reviews on these villages were analyzed. Through natural language processing, the emotional perceptions expressed in these reviews were qualified, the environmental elements mentioned in these reviews were extracted, and a lexicon of 14 environmental elements classified into the three categories of settlement, nature, and culture was developed. The correlation between environmental elements and emotional perceptions was then evaluated by measuring perception frequency and perception satisfaction. The in-depth analysis shows that people generally have a positive attitude toward traditional villages. Settlement elements, such as “house” and “public building,” are more frequently perceived than natural and cultural elements, while the latter ones play a positive influence on the emotional perception of reviewers on traditional villages. The methods developed in this research can be used to support the policy-making of protecting and revitalizing traditional villages to balance heritage protection and village development.

Keywords emotional perceptions; environmental elements; textual data processing; machine learning; traditional villages

Full text is available at:<http://www.ccprjournal.com.cn/book/10328.htm>

♦  Research on Small-Scale Characteristics of Urban Vitality Space Driven by Multi-Source Sentiment Data: With “Xidan The New” and “Beijing Fun” in Beijing as Examples

Zhang Ruoshi, Gong Yao, Luo Yinjing

Translated by Qian Fang / Proofread by Lai Yuan

DOI: 10.20113/j.ccpr.20240407a

Abstract Against the background of urban regeneration, “reducing quantity and improving quality” has been the core demand for planning and development in Beijing’s central urban areas, which applies to the development of urban vitality spaces of the city as well. In the meantime, in the digital age, users’ sentiment needs for urban spaces continuously increase, making it necessary to consider the sentiment connection between people and the built environment when creating vitality spaces. This study uses two typical examples of urban regeneration vitality spaces in Beijing, “Xidan The New” and “Beijing Fun,” and uses the sentiment connection theory that is based on multiple disciplines as a lever to introduce the thinking, technology, and methods of data science, focusing on the lack of attention to small-scale built environment features in vitality space research. The study integrates the from-top-to-bottom sentiment connection scale data, the qualitative research data, and the from-bottom-to-top big data sentiment analysis to explore the characteristics of small-scale vitality space that can stimulate positive sentiment experiences for users and to bring the discussion of spatial vitality back to the human scale and real three-dimensional spatial experience. In the end, this study summarizes the elements of small-scale spatial vitality and constructs evaluation indicators for sentiment connection to vitality spaces. The goal is to expand and refine the research scope of urban vitality spaces, update corresponding design and evaluation methods, and ensure that the spatial expression of “vitality” truly reflects liveliness and responds to human nature.

Keywords urban vitality space; small-scale space characteristics; multi-source sentiment data; sentiment connection between human and built environment

Full text is available at:<http://www.ccprjournal.com.cn/book/10328.htm>

♦  Exploring Public Perceptions of Tourist Attractions Related to the Suzhou Section of the Grand Canal: A Perspective from Social Media Reviews and Semantic Networks

Wei Sheng, Wang Lei

Edited by Liu Jinxin / Proofread by Liu Jiayan

DOI: 10.20113/j.ccpr.20240408a

Abstract The Grand Canal in China, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has received great attention for the revitalization and utilization of its rich cultural heritage. Previous studies have predominantly focused on the tourism preferences and values of tangible and intangible resources while often neglecting a more holistic understanding of public perceptions. Analyzing public perceptions of tourist attractions helps clarify their evolving role in the cultural tourism market from the demand side. This study examined this issue based on complex network theory, social media reviews, and semantic network analysis. It identified hotspots in relevant reviews, examined the overall characteristics of the social cognitive image, and analyzed public perceptions through four types of semantic networks based on natural language processing. This study demonstrates a novel approach to policy implication in the regeneration and utilization of cultural heritage.

Keywords the Grand Canal; cultural heritage; public perceptions; social media reviews; semantic networks

Full text is available at:<http://www.ccprjournal.com.cn/book/10328.htm>

♦  A Study on the Characteristics of Aging-Friendly Neighborhood Environment from the Visual Cognition Perspective

Liu Jiayan, Zhao Yiyao, Shen Yuying, Jiang Zixi

Translated by Li Min / Proofread by Liu Jian

DOI: 10.20113/j.ccpr.20240409a

Abstract The comprehensive development of aging-friendly communities has become a significant strategy for addressing the problems brought about by the accelerated aging of population, for which the design of the neighborhood environment is a pivotal aspect. Visual cognition, as the primary means by which humans perceive the external environment, has profound impacts on the environmental preferences and outdoor behaviors of older adults. This paper adopts a visual cognition perspective to explore the key elements and main characteristics of an aging-friendly neighborhood environment. Based on empirical studies conducted in five urban neighborhoods in different Chinese cities using a multi-methodological approach that encompasses auditing, questionnaire, interview, statistical analysis, and textual analysis, the paper examines the principal environmental elements contributing to the visual cognitive preferences of older adults at both individual and neighborhood levels. It proposes suggestions for designing aging-friendly neighborhood environment from the visual cognition perspective, which may provide a reference for the development of agingfriendly neighborhoods.

Keywords aging-friendly neighborhood; older adults; visual cognition; neighborhood environment; active aging

Full text is available at:<http://www.ccprjournal.com.cn/book/10328.htm>

♦  Accessibility Analysis of Comprehensive Parks in the Central Urban Area of Suzhou Under Multiple Travel Modes

Liu Zhiqiang, Xu Jiyu, Yu Hui, Hong Genwei

Translated by Liu Jinxin / Proofread by Mao Qizhi

DOI: 10.20113/j.ccpr.20240410a

Abstract Comprehensive parks offer a wide range of functions and serve diverse populations. Assessing their accessibility based on multiple travel modes and real-time travel data is of great importance for promoting the rational distribution and efficient service of these parks. By using real-time travel data obtained through the API (Application Programming Interface) of Gaode Maps and applying the Ga2SFCA (Gaussian Two-Step Floating Catchment Area) method, this study explores the accessibility of comprehensive parks in the central urban area of Suzhou city under multiple travel modes. The findings are as follows. ①Walking accessibility shows significant improvement under the 15-minute threshold compared to the 10-minute threshold scenario; cycling accessibility increases synchronically with the time threshold, maintaining relatively stable travel costs; driving is the preferred mode for long-duration and long-distance trips; whereas the accessibility of bus travel exhibits substantial spatial variation. ② The overall accessibility within the studied time thresholds shows that driving is better than cycling, followed by bus travel and walking. Especially for trips within a 4 km range between communities and comprehensive parks, cycling accessibility surpasses that of buses. ③ The high-value distribution of accessibility to comprehensive parks, as measured under walking, cycling, and driving modes, is relatively balanced, while the overall accessibility coverage of bus travel is relatively low. This study reveals the differences and characteristics of comprehensive park accessibility under multiple travel modes, providing insights for reassessing the existing service radius indicator and offering a theoretical basis for optimizing the allocation of parks based on population distribution.

Keywords comprehensive parks; accessibility; multiple travel modes; Ga2SFCA model; Suzhou

Full text is available at:<http://www.ccprjournal.com.cn/book/10328.htm>