Development and testing of the nightscape affect index

Abstract

Despite growing evidence linking urban landscapes to human affect, there remains limited understanding of which environmental aspects of landscapes contribute to positive affect and how they exert their influence. Moreover, the role and significance of urban nightscapes have been largely underexplored. To investigate the affective connections between nighttime environments and individuals, a psychometric tool—the Nightscape Affect Index (NAI)—was designed, developed, and validated. The NAI was systematically assessed for its psychometric properties, including reliability, factor structure, and subsequent retest validation. Comprising three subscales—nightscape attraction, adaptation, and attachment—the NAI demonstrated strong internal consistency and excellent reliability. The scale also provided robust evidence for convergent, discriminant, and structural validity. We discuss how the NAI can be applied in both research and practice to enhance our understanding of the relationship between urban nightscapes and public affective responses, as well as its potential in evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and strategies to reduce light pollution.