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The Influence of Low- and Mid-Level Visual Features on the Perception of Streetscape Qualities

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Human Perception of Visual Information

Abstract

Recent research has quantified aspects of the built environment to understand which visual features may play a role in environmental preferences and behavior. The occurrence of different low-level (e.g., spatial and color properties) and mid-level features (e.g., objects) that mimic patterns seen in nature may influence the quality of pedestrian experiences in urban environments. For example, buildings harboring low-level visual features/patterns that mimic that of nature were perceived to be more naturalistic and significantly predicted preference ratings for architectural scenes. In addition, mid-level visual features with natural elements (e.g., green plants, trees) existing in urban environments increased positive pedestrian experiences, such as feelings of safety, liveliness and beauty. By quantifying visual characteristics and design qualities, one can relate more abstract aspects of an urban space to quantifiable design features, which provides the opportunity to establish a causal relationship between design features and psychological feelings such as walkability, preference, visual complexity and disorder. This research combining perception, computer vision and urban design could help to create more preferable and walkable urban centers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Gaby N. Akcelik, Kathryn E. Schertz & Marc G. Berman

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  1. Gaby N. Akcelik
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  2. Kathryn E. Schertz
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  3. Marc G. Berman
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Correspondence to Gaby N. Akcelik .

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  1. Politehnica University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    Bogdan Ionescu

  2. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Wilma A. Bainbridge

  3. NAVER Labs Europe, Meylan, France

    Naila Murray

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Akcelik, G.N., Schertz, K.E., Berman, M.G. (2022). The Influence of Low- and Mid-Level Visual Features on the Perception of Streetscape Qualities. In: Ionescu, B., Bainbridge, W.A., Murray, N. (eds) Human Perception of Visual Information. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81465-6_9

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