Jiaqi Niu

This study explores the intricate relationship between urban amenities and the transformation of urban green spaces (UGS) in Guangzhou, China, over the decade from 2013 to 2022. Amid rapid urbanization, maintaining and expanding green spaces has become increasingly challenging, especially in densely populated urban centers. This research utilizes remote sensing data and Point of Interest (POI) data to assess how different types of urban amenities influence UGS dynamics based on geospatial analytics. The study focuses on the central districts of Guangzhou, a city facing significant urban development pressures, to provide a nuanced understanding of these interactions. Employing both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and Random Forest (RF) models, the analysis examines the impact of 23 categories of POIs on the spatial and temporal changes in UGS. Key findings reveal that amenities such as auto repair shops, shopping services, and transit facilities are negatively correlated with UGS, indicating that their presence may contribute to the reduction in green space. Conversely, amenities like scenic spots and life services show a positive correlation, suggesting they might support the preservation or expansion of green spaces. The results underscore the dual role of urban amenities in both supporting and constraining green space development, highlighting the need for carefully balanced urban planning strategies. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners aiming to promote sustainable urban growth while preserving essential green spaces, ensuring that urban environments remain livable and ecologically resilient.

Public satisfaction is an important indicator of the success of environmental policies and management practices. China’s sponge city development (SCD) initiative was launched in 2014 and has received international attention for its technical advancements and environmental achievements. Public satisfaction, however, has not been fully investigated in cities transformed by SCD. This study uses public surveys and structural equation modeling to evaluate people’s satisfaction with SCD in four pilot sponge cities, and how familiarity with SCD, perceived benefits, concerns about adverse effects, and trust in government influence satisfaction levels. The results show that people in the four cities were, on average, slightly satisfied with SCD. Familiarity, perceived benefits, and trust in government were significant determinants of public satisfaction. On the contrary, concerns about the adverse effects of SCD did not significantly influence people’s satisfaction. Moreover, a mismatch was found between government-led evaluation outcomes and satisfaction measured here. This study highlights the importance of social and perceived values in shaping people’s satisfaction with SCD and provides suggestions for management strategies for enhancing public satisfaction, ultimately supporting the long-term effectiveness of urban stormwater management programs.