Urban Forestry & Urban Greening最新文献

{"title":"Artificial intelligence (AI) models for detecting urban green spaces: A multi-city and multi-country contexts approach","authors":"Jiawei Zhao ,&nbsp;Matthew H.E.M. Browning ,&nbsp;Marco Helbich ,&nbsp;SM Labib","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban green space (UGS) maps are essential for identifying and assessing the multifunctional benefits of nature in cities. However, obtaining reasonable-quality UGS data across the Global North and South remains challenging due to methodological inconsistencies and the high costs of field-based data collection. We developed a scalable and replicable framework that leverages freely available, moderate-resolution satellite images, combined with artificial intelligence-based (AI) image segmentation, to detect and map UGSes. Sentinel-2 images were retrieved across 16 cities in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. Using raw and processed Sentinel-2 spectral information, we trained and validated an AI hybrid model combining U-Net and ResNet-50 on varying combinations of data layers (i.e., normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI], normalized difference water index [NDWI], and normalized difference built index [NDBI]). The trained models achieved approximately 90% accuracy in identifying UGS and demonstrated a substantial overlap with the ground-truth data across diverse urban settings. However, consistent with known limitations of moderate-resolution imagery, the models underperformed in detecting relatively small UGS patches. To test the geographic transferability of the model, we applied the trained model to detect UGS in an African city (Kampala, Uganda), where ground-truth data were unavailable. We found that the UGS identified from the model partially overlapped with the UGS in Kampala, as derived from OpenStreetMap data, suggesting that combining AI-derived and volunteered geographic information can produce more comprehensive UGS inventories. Overall, this scalable framework for identifying UGS in places with limited existing data could enable cities to inventory their UGS and target the Sustainable Development Goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"118 ","pages":"Article 129295"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"When the city gets too hot: Decline in green space visits under extreme summer temperatures","authors":"Jiayu Wang ,&nbsp;Kota Mameno ,&nbsp;Tatsuya Owake ,&nbsp;Tetsuya Aikoh ,&nbsp;Yasushi Shoji","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129312","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129312","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ongoing climate change indirectly threatens human well-being by reducing recreational opportunities in urban parks and other green areas. However, few studies have quantified how high temperatures deter visits to green spaces, or how visitor characteristics influence such decisions. To address this gap and inform climate adaptation policies, this study used the stated-preference method to examine residents’ intentions to cancel urban green space visits during periods of high summer temperatures. A binary logit model revealed that temperatures &gt; 26 °C significantly discouraged visits, with over 90 % of respondents canceling at 32 °C. The analysis also identified heterogeneity in preferences; older adults and women were more vulnerable to heat and were more likely to cancel visits at higher temperatures. These findings suggest that reduced green space use under climate change conditions may disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. The findings also highlight the importance of urban planning in addressing social isolation risks by repurposing green spaces for community use during hot months. This study underscores the urgent need for adaptive measures to ensure equitable access to green spaces and their benefits in urban areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"118 ","pages":"Article 129312"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The synergistic mechanism of urban green space on physical activity density and emotional experience: Evidence from the Pearl River Delta","authors":"Chuanwang Hua,&nbsp;Yixi Kong","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129194","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129194","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>How do Urban Green Spaces (UGS) generate trade-offs and synergies in promoting residents’ physical activity and supporting psychological restoration? This study addresses this question by examining the coupling coordination between Outdoor Activity Density (OAD) and Environmental Emotional Experience (EE) and directly and indirectly accessible green spaces. quantifying Urban Green Spaces (UGS) in three dimensions: accessibility (direct contact), and availability and visibility (indirect contact, such as visual exposure or ecological benefits). Outdoor Activity Density (OAD) was derived from mobility data on an outdoor activity platform, and Environmental Emotional Experience (EE) from social media text. A coupling coordination model was used to assess the relationship between UGS, physical activity, and psychological health, while spatial machine learning models explored the nonlinear effects of UGS morphology and socioeconomic factors on OAD and EE. The findings revealed: (1) Outdoor Activity Density and Environmental Emotional Experience, along with UGS, exhibit a multi-centered clustering tendency; (2) The visibility of Urban Green Spaces has a stronger promotional effect on Outdoor Activity Density than on Environmental Emotional Experience, although an overly dense green visibility range may hinder activity; (3) The accessibility of Urban Green Spaces has a dual enhancement effect on both Outdoor Activity Density and Environmental Emotional Experience; (4) The availability of Urban Green Spaces, as a form of indirect contact, provides positive Environmental Emotional Experience for those who cannot directly access green spaces; (5) Less \"wild\" Urban Green Spaces (artificial, low-LSI) tends to strengthe0n Outdoor Activity Density more effectively. Our findings address a key dilemma in urban planning by showing how green spaces can balance physical activity and psychological health when their optimal designs may conflict, and by empirically identifying the spatial morphology and scale ranges most suitable for both outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"118 ","pages":"Article 129194"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145784932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the psychophysiological benefits of a virtual nature walk – A pilot randomized controlled trial","authors":"Ssu-Yu Yeh ,&nbsp;Jay E. Maddock","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129287","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129287","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urbanization and increased screen time among young adults have contributed to reduced time spent in nature, limiting access to its associated health benefits. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising solution by simulating nature exposure in controlled environments and may serve as a short-term alternative for individuals with limited access to natural environments. This pilot randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a 10-min walk in a computer-generated urban VR environment featuring either high or low levels of greenness on physiological stress markers, measured through skin conductance levels and blood pressure, and psychological well-being, assessed via self-reported surveys. Of the 134 participants recruited, 131 provided complete survey data, and 121 had complete skin conductance data. No significant between-group differences in physiological or psychological outcomes were found after adjusting for VR presence. However, higher levels of perceived presence were significantly associated with greater subjective vitality and lower post-VR energy levels. Skin conductance levels significantly changed over time within groups but did not differ significantly between groups. Both groups experienced increased fatigue and decreased vitality following VR exposure, though the high-greenness group demonstrated comparatively smaller declines in vitality and slight physiological improvements. These findings suggest that higher levels of virtual greenness may provide modest psychological and physiological benefits by buffering against urban stressors. However, increased fatigue highlights a potential trade-off of immersive VR. Future VR interventions should aim to optimize the balance between immersion and sensory input to maximize health benefits while minimizing discomfort.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"118 ","pages":"Article 129287"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of urban green spaces in mitigating heat-induced labor productivity losses of global megacities","authors":"Si-Yu Liu ,&nbsp;Chen Yi ,&nbsp;Bo Yang ,&nbsp;Xin-Yang Jiang ,&nbsp;Si-Yi Wei ,&nbsp;Xiao-Chen Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hot and humid working conditions pose health risks and reduce productivity, which are exacerbated in the megacities by urban heat islands and global warming. Although urban green spaces are deemed as an effective cooling measure, their ability to alleviate heat exposure and deliver associated socio-economic benefits remains inadequately understood. Here we combine the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to quantify the cooling effects and benefits of urban green spaces for labor productivity during the warm season, and assess the associated economic gains for outdoor workers across 32 megacities worldwide. We find that urban green spaces lower WBGT by an average of 0.26 ± 0.02 °C in 2020, reducing productivity losses for moderate and heavy labor by 13.7 ± 2.04 % and 9.89 ± 1.88 %, respectively. This leads to a total increase of 343 million work hours and 4.7 billion dollars (constant 2005 PPP) in earnings. Prioritizing greening in labor-dense but sparsely vegetated areas would yield more cost-effective benefits, including an additional cooling potential of 0.75 °C, and an increase of ∼216–380 million work hours and median earnings gains of 39.7–71.7 million dollars per city. These findings emphasize the critical role of urban green spaces in protecting worker safety and the significant potential of enhanced greening strategies to maintain labor productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 129270"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retrofitting parking lots to mitigate heat stress in an urban park: A numerical case study at microscale","authors":"Léopold Giroux-Gauthier ,&nbsp;Dominik Strebel ,&nbsp;Sylvia L.R. Wood ,&nbsp;David Murray ,&nbsp;Jan Carmeliet ,&nbsp;Aytaç Kubilay ,&nbsp;Dominique Derome","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129268","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129268","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban forests and vegetated parks in cities, such as in the St. Helene Island in St. Lawrence River in Montreal, may help to mitigate heat stress during heatwaves. In this paper, we study how retrofitting scenarios that increase canopy cover in parking lots via tree planting can improve the thermal comfort for pedestrians. Specifically, we investigate the influence of tree size and placement within the parking lot sites on the thermal comfort in four retrofitting scenarios. We use the numerical suite of models urbanMicroclimateFoam, which simulates microclimate conditions at a local scale (submeter scale) solving Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations for non-isothermal air flow, heat and moisture transport and storage in porous urban materials, solar radiation and longwave radiative exchanges between sky and urban surfaces and vegetation. The canopy of the park is reconstructed from LiDAR data allowing for simulation of transpirative cooling, shading and wind drag effects due to vegetation. We base our simulation on a 2020 heat wave that occurred in the Montreal region. Simulation of the current situation shows strong thermal heat stress with UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) values up to 37°C. The retrofit scenarios explore the effect of replacing the pavement of two parking lots with grass, and the addition of trees in different arrangements, varying their size and position. We found that replacement of part of the asphalt pavement with grass yields an overall UTCI reduction of 1.5 °C. Scenarios adding trees in different arrangements improve the thermal comfort locally by cooling up to 6.5 °C. The reduction in UTCI is shown to be most importantly caused by a reduction of mean radiant temperature due to shading from the added trees in the area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 129268"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Who gets quality urban parks? A socioeconomic disparity analysis using user reviews and the opportunity algorithm in Los Angeles","authors":"Hyebin Kim ,&nbsp;Junhyeon Kweon ,&nbsp;Jae Hong Kim ,&nbsp;John R. Hipp ,&nbsp;Sugie Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores urban park equity by leveraging user-generated content from Google Maps and applying the <em>opportunity algorithm</em> to assess disparities in park quality. We investigated whether perceived needs and satisfaction levels related to park features vary by neighborhood income level, racial composition, and park size. The opportunity algorithm identifies underserved and overserved features by comparing the relative importance and satisfaction scores. The results revealed that different park groups exhibited distinct underserved and overserved features. Safety concerns are underserved in low-income and minority neighborhoods. Conversely, amenities such as hiking and biking or natural features are often overserved in high-income or high-white areas. Furthermore, dog parks were viewed as overserved in low-white areas but underserved in high-white areas, reflecting a reversed pattern. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the opportunity algorithm approach in detecting user perceptions of park quality by identifying mismatches between importance and satisfaction, offering a scalable, data-driven alternative to traditional audits. Based on these insights, we propose policy recommendations to support more inclusive and responsive urban park planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 129266"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the associations between road traffic noise exposure at home, green spaces and stress biomarkers: A cross-sectional field study","authors":"Javier Dopico ,&nbsp;Beat Schäffer ,&nbsp;Mark Brink ,&nbsp;Danielle Vienneau ,&nbsp;Martin Röösli ,&nbsp;Tina Maria Binz ,&nbsp;Silvia Tobias ,&nbsp;Nicole Bauer ,&nbsp;Jean Marc Wunderli","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129291","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129291","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic exposure to environmental stressors, like road traffic noise, is linked to negative health impacts. This cross-sectional field study investigates the associations between road traffic noise exposure at home, residential green, and stress biomarkers (cortisol and cortisone) among residents in the city of Zurich, Switzerland. The study involved 224 participants exposed to varying levels of noise at home and varying access to green spaces in the vicinity of home. Data collection included 3 cm near-scalp hair samples for cortisol and cortisone as biomarkers for chronic stress, residential environment assessments, and questionnaires. Exposure to road traffic noise at home was quantified through modelled <em>L</em>_den and residential green through the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and percentage of public green spaces. Multiple linear regression models were used to study the association of the long-term physiological stress biomarkers with the exposure to road traffic noise at home and residential green. There was no association between noise exposure and stress biomarkers, while a significant negative association of cortisone (β = −0.0084; 95 % CI: −0.0162 to −0.0006; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) and the sum of cortisol and cortisone (β = −0.0086; 95 % CI: −0.0165 to −0.0008; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) was found with green space area in the neighborhood. These findings highlight the importance of public green spaces contributing to public health in urban settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 129291"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social equity in park facilities: Assessing park usage patterns from 2019 to 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Peijin Sun,&nbsp;Pai Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129249","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129249","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of urban parks in ensuring equitable access to all community groups, emerging as a pivotal issue in urban planning and public policy. This study leverages extensive smartphone data to track how the pandemic has reshaped the utilization of park facilities by diverse socio-economic groups in Austin from 2019 to 2021. The results indicate significant shifts in park usage, notably an increase in visits to smaller parks and green spaces near residential areas during pandemic. The study reveals distinct differences in the attractiveness of park facilities to various demographics, such as women, the older adults, youths, and ethnic minorities: traditional sports facilities were less appealing to the older adults, whereas playgrounds were especially favored by children and the older adults. During the pandemic, golf courses and soccer fields negatively impacted vulnerable groups, the allure of gyms declined in the early stages, and swimming pools regained popularity as the pandemic was brought under control. These findings highlight the critical role of park facilities during public health crises and offer concrete recommendations for urban planners and policymakers to enhance the accessibility and inclusiveness of park facilities, ensuring that parks serve as valuable, equitable spaces for health and social interaction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 129249"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of crime on urban park visitation patterns: A longitudinal analysis in Austin, Texas","authors":"Yunpei Zhang ,&nbsp;Zipeng Guo ,&nbsp;Yang Song ,&nbsp;Hongmei Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129218","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban parks generate multiple health and social benefits but crime can undercut these gains by deterring visits. Existing evidence rarely traces how specific crime types and timing influence daily foot-traffic, or whether impacts differ by neighbourhood socio-demographics. This study quantifies the short, medium, and long-term effects of family violence, non-family violent and non-family non-violent crime on park visitation in a mid-sized, data-rich city. Police NIBRS incidents from 2019 were spatially joined to SafeGraph and Advan mobile-device visits for 208 Austin, Texas parks using a 0.25-mile buffer. Daily visitor counts were regressed on 7, 30, and 60-day crime lags with park-by-date fixed effects, weather, and amenity controls. Interaction terms tested moderation by block-level income, race, and age. We explored heterogeneity descriptively but focus the modeling on offense-specific, time-windowed associations. Each additional non-family violent incident in the prior week predicts 1.5 fewer visitors per park-day. The 30-day violent-crime coefficient is approximately 2 visitors, implying a persistent though modest decline; the 60-day effect is not significant. Family violence and non-violent offenses show no aggregate effects across windows. Collectively, the results provide offense‑specific, time‑sensitive evidence on when violent‑crime exposure most depresses park use, introduce a replicable park‑day lagged crime‑exposure measure transferable to other cities, and offer practice‑ready guidance for targeting operational responses and inclusive programming during the short‑to‑medium windows when impacts are strongest.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49394,"journal":{"name":"Urban Forestry & Urban Greening","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 129218"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}