How 2D and 3D Built Environment Impact Urban Vitality: Evidence from Overhead-Level to Eye-Level Urban Form Metrics

Yi Peng, Xu Cui (), Bingjie Yu (), Runze Liu and Hong Li
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Yi Peng: School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Xu Cui: School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Bingjie Yu: School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Runze Liu: School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR, China
Hong Li: Changsha Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Changsha 410126, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: The built environment is the key to creating vibrant urban spaces that contribute to the health and sustainability of cities. Studies have demonstrated that a reasonable built environment helps to stimulate urban vitality. Nevertheless, there are limitations to the understanding that three-dimensional (3D) built environment indicators from the ‘human perspective’ can substantially affect urban vitality. This study provides an empirical analysis of Xi’an, a city with both traditional historical blocks and a modern city landscape. By applying the ordinary least square model and the geographically weighted regression model, this study explores the impacts of the two-dimensional (2D) and 3D built environments on urban vitality. Results show: (1) the urban vitality exhibits significant spatial and temporal difference characteristics; (2) the 3D built environment exerts a greater influence on urban vitality than 2D; (3) taking weekdays for instance, the indicators of green space and road space (e.g., normalized difference vegetation index (−0.092), green view index (−0.104), road density (−0.021), and enclosure (−0.089)) are negatively correlated with urban vitality, while the indicators of building space and mixed function (e.g., building density, floor area ratio, points of interest (POI) mixing degree, and 3D mixing degree) present a positive effect. To improve urban vitality, the study provides suggestions from the perspective of 3D and human perception, which will contribute to the meticulous practice of urban design.

Keywords: built environment; urban vitality; 2D/3D variables; spatial-temporal characteristic; street view (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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