Integrating eye-movement analysis and the semantic differential method to analyze the visual effect of a traditional commercial block in Hefei, China

Eye-movement analysis was adopted to evaluate the visual perception of Chinese traditional commercial blocks,and the Chenghuangmiao block in Hefei,China,was selected as a typical case.Eye-movement data from 40 respondents viewing 14 sample pictures were recorded.The spatial elements of the sample pictures,including landmarks and commercial brands,were further extracted to analyze the visual characteristics of spatial elements and the factors that affect the respondents’perceptions of those elements.Then,the semantic differential method was used to analyze the relationship between visual preferences and psychological perceptions of spatial elements.Seventeen pairs of opposing adjectives were selected to score the intrinsic properties and visitors,feelings of spaces.The software SPSS 22.0 was used to analyze these data.Results showed that distinctive spatial elements,such as street corridors,Ma Tau Walls,and various landmarks,were the most visually attractive.In addition,the location of a given element within a picture was an important factor affecting eye movements.On this basis,strategies for improving spatial-visual effects are proposed.The strategies include emphasizing the visual characteristics of different spatial elements,considering the overall layout of spatial elements,and creating diversified spaces based on different spatial categories.

Effects of land and building usage on population, land price and passengers in station areas： A case study in Fukuoka, Japan

This study uses multiple regression to investigate the effects of Land and building use on popuLation, Land price, and passengers. Initialty, we abstract annuat data on Land and buildings usage within a radius of 0 m-400 m for railway stations and 400 m-800 m for subway stations in Fukuoka, Japan by using the GIS. We then analyze the relationships between 13 factors of rand use and 8 factors of building usage, as well as the related poputation, Land price, and passengers using the quantitative expression method. Using several categories of land use and building usage as explanatory variables, we anatyze the degree to which the selected categories affect population, Land price, and passengers by using the muttiple regression method. This research can aid the further development of land and buitding usage in the future.

Characteristics of road network forms in historic districts of Japan

This study focused on the structure and the platform of the road space of historic districts. We analyzed the road networks of 16 historic districts in Japan from the perspectives of circularity, accessibility and indirection based on graph theory. By calculatin8 and comparing the indexes of each road network （NW1 and NW2） forms, we quantitatively describe the effects of the main prefectural roads （more than 4 m in width） and narrow streets （less than 4 m in width） on the spatial characteristics. And it turned out that we could divided the 16 objective historic districts into 4 types. Moreover, we qualitatively studied the characteristics of each type of historic districts based on their development background and the structure of road network.

Quantifying the relationship between visitor satisfaction and perceived accessibility to pedestrian spaces on festival days

Many cities organize cultural festivals to promote their distinctiveness, boost the local economy, and enhance quality of life. However, urban spaces are packed with visitors on festival days, thus affecting accessibility to pedestrian spaces. This research examined visitor satisfaction with accessibility to pedestrian spaces during special events such as festivals. We particularly focused on the Hakata Dontaku festival, which is celebrated in Fukuoka, Japan. We studied three main elements that affect pedestrian satisfaction and perceived accessibility through walking, namely, safety, mobility, and amenities. We first analyzed previous studies and employed analytical hierarchy process to setup indicators for satisfaction measurement. Second, we determined visitor satisfaction through a survey questionnaire, which was conducted during the Hakata Dontaku festival. Third, we assessed the normality of the data set that was obtained from the questionnaire. Finally, we applied structural equation modeling. Results showed that the proposed model was a good fit, as indicated by the goodness of fit test, and the majority of indicators loaded significant values that supported their constructs. Satisfaction with amenities was found to be the most statistically significant variable that influences visitors＇ perceived accessibility during the Hukata Dontaku festival