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A Multi-Dimensional Assessment of Pocket Park Landscapes: Insights from Scenic Beauty Estimation and Analytic Hierarchy Process in Dadukou District, Chongqing

Author

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  • Xinyi Peng

    (School of Art and Design Engineering, Chongqing Vocational Institute of Engineering, Chongqing 402260, China
    School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia)

  • Mohamad Reza Mohamed Afla

    (School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia)

Abstract

Pocket parks are small green spaces that significantly enhance urban livability, particularly in densely populated cities. To leverage this advantage, Chongqing has committed to establishing 100 pocket parks by 2024. This study assesses the landscape quality of six pocket parks in Chongqing’s Dadukou District, employing Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results of the SBE method identify four main factors—spatial hierarchy, plant diversity, landscape harmony, and color richness—that show a strong correlation with scenic beauty ( R = 0.947, R 2 = 0.897). AHP analysis reveals that landscape function is the dominant criterion, accounting for 66.86% of the total weight, with ecological function and service function contributing 21.44% and 8.82%, respectively. Notably, plant color richness emerges as the most significant factor, with a comprehensive weight of 0.1509, emphasizing its critical role in enhancing visual appeal. Based on these findings, this study recommends increasing plant diversity, optimizing color design to improve visual appeal, and implementing sustainable, low-maintenance strategies. This research integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches, offering strategies to refine pocket park designs and establish a framework to enhance green spaces in densely populated urban areas, not only in China but potentially globally, promoting environmental sustainability and user satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinyi Peng & Mohamad Reza Mohamed Afla, 2025. "A Multi-Dimensional Assessment of Pocket Park Landscapes: Insights from Scenic Beauty Estimation and Analytic Hierarchy Process in Dadukou District, Chongqing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:2020-:d:1600501
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    References listed on IDEAS

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