jismart2024023: Influence of Urban Built Environment on Street Vitality in Chengdu, China

Abstract

As urbanization increases, the influence of built environments on health is becoming a key concern for urban planners and public health professionals. This study, set in central urban areas within Chengdu’s second ring, utilizes the 5D theoretical framework—density, diversity, design, destination accessibility, and distance to transit. It employs street view imagery and deep learning to collect pedestrian data and other indicators of street vitality. Through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), it examines how built environment features affect street vitality. The findings suggest that features such as dining, shopping, and leisure facilities, coupled with accessible public transportation, significantly enhance street vitality by drawing more pedestrians and creating vibrant urban spaces. However, excessive diversity may impede pedestrian flow, pointing to the importance of balanced urban design. Proximity to transit facilities, like subway stations, also increases street attractiveness and usage. Moreover, higher building density and floor area ratios are linked to greater street vitality, indicating that denser urban areas foster livelier streets. This research confirms the efficacy of the 5D theory in analyzing the built environment’s impact on Chengdu’s urban core, providing valuable insights for sustainable urban planning and development in modern technological settings.