Deriving a measure for the environmental quality of life of an ultra-dense urban setting

Abstract

Quality of life encompasses social, economic, and environmental dimensions, with environmental indicators posing challenges due to their diverse nature. This study proposes a flexible measure of the physical environment that considers individual preferences. The research focused on neighbourhoods in Hong Kong, representing various levels of urbanization and spatial distribution, with a fixed neighbourhood size to enable meaningful comparisons. Utilizing Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing techniques, the study analysed four domains of urban morphology at the neighbourhood level: education-health-recreation facilities, street patterns, land use diversity, and building density. Principal Component Analysis was employed to reduce the dimensionality of each domain and derive an Environmental Quality Sub-index (EQ-I). This index can be standardized and personalized based on individuals’ values and preferences. The EQ-I facilitates both quantitative and qualitative comparisons through visual representations. The study exemplifies a methodological approach to consolidating multiple variables into a single index, considering the differential weighting of preferences. The methodology employs direct and objective measures that can be adapted and replicated in other cities, providing standardized yet personalized scores for regional and international comparisons. The findings present valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners aiming to enhance the environmental quality of ultra-dense urban settings.