Featured Paper
SCI: Cai, Yuxuan+., Huang, Yongming+., Chen, Anzhi., Yang, Zhuohao., Chen, Mingze,. Wen, Yuhan., Yang, Qiuyi., Li, Xiaowei*. Subjective Perception or the Physical Environment: Which Matters More for Public Area Visitation Thresholds Across Different COVID-19 Pandemic Stages? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128835
Urban visiting patterns refer to how people visit, use, and move through urban spaces like parks, business districts, and public plazas. Green spaces and businesses significantly influence visitation patterns in urban areas, as key indicators of urban vitality. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped these dynamic patterns. This research examines visitation patterns in Las Vegas from 2019 to 2023, focusing on green spaces and businesses in relation to environment and human perceptions during the pandemic. We integrated GPS data, Google reviews, and street-view images, applying natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to analyze sentiment, comment topics, and environmental features, with partial dependence plots (PDP) exploring correlations with visitation patterns.
Results reveal both park and business visitation patterns were significantly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting behaviors and emotional needs. There are significant differences in the usage and perception of parks and commercial areas. Parks, with their natural landscapes, offer restorative and emotional experiences, while business environments cater to functional and service-based needs. Environmental factors better explain park visitation, while sentiment and comment topics better explain business visits. Green spaces demonstrate greater crisis resilience than business areas through their environmental benefits and adaptability. Pre-pandemic, parks were valued primarily for entertainment facilities and activities; post-pandemic, natural elements and infrastructure gained importance. These findings emphasize the need for urban design that integrates green spaces which provide opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and mental restoration to better withstand future challenges. Planners and policymakers should prioritize green spaces for both their physical and emotional benefits.
Peer-reviewed Articles
3. SCI: Cai, Yuxuan+., Huang, Yongming+., Chen, Anzhi., Yang, Zhuohao., Chen, Mingze,. Wen, Yuhan., Yang, Qiuyi., Li, Xiaowei*. Subjective Perception or the Physical Environment: Which Matters More for Public Area Visitation Thresholds Across Different COVID-19 Pandemic Stages? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128835
2. SCI: Wang, Zhanzhu., Shen, Maoting., Huang, Yongming*.Combining Eye-Tracking Technology and Subjective Evaluation to Determine Building Facade Color Combinations and Visual Quality. Applied Sciences 2024 | https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188227 [donwload]
1. SCI: Wang, Zhanzhu., Shen, Maoting., Huang, Yongming*. Exploring the Impact of Facade Color Elements on Visual Comfort in Old Residential Buildings in Shanghai: Insights from Eye-Tracking Technology. Buildings 2024 | https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061758 [donwload]
Reviewer of Journal Manuscripts
Sustainable Cities and Society | Plos one | Heritage Science
Conference
2024
3. Chen, Mingze., Huang, Yongming*., Zheng, Yuqiao., Du, Jiani. Defining Urban Vitality Using Text-based, Image-based, and GPS Data | 2024 ACSP (Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning) Conference Abstract (Accepted)
2. Chen, Mingze., Huang, Yongming*., Zheng, Yuqiao., Du, Jiani. Evaluating Urban Vitality with Big Data across 10 Global Cities | 2024 IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects) Conference Abstract (Accepted)
1. Chen, Mingze., Huang, Yongming*., Zheng, Yuqiao., Du, Jiani. Evaluating Urban Vitality with Big Data: Insights from Social Media and GPS Data across 10 Global Cities | 2024 EDRA (Environmental Design Research Association) Conference Abstract (Accepted)