Exploring the distribution of city street greenery from eye-level: an application of Baidu Map panoramic images data

Abstract

ABSTRACT Increasing attention has been paid to the analysis of street greenery using the Green View Index (GVI). Current methods of vegetation extraction are not suitable for processing large amounts of data. This study introduces Visible Difference Vegetation Index (VDVI) to process Baidu Map panoramic static images which is relatively convenient for GVI calculation. The method is used to analyse the spatial distribution of street greenery in Guangzhou city in China. The results show that: (1) The spatial distribution of GVI values in Guangzhou show obvious agglomeration. (2) The average level and evenness of street greenery distribution is analysed. Tianhe and Yuexiu districts had high levels of evenly distributed street greenery; Liwan, Haizhu, Huangpu, and Panyu districts had good levels of street greenery but uneven distributions; Baiyun and Nansha had low levels of street greenery. (3)There is a significant correlation between road grade, house price, building age, land use and GVI values, which reveals the driving factors of GVI value distribution in Guangzhou. The GVI calculation method in this method is relatively convenient and accurate. GVI can be a new evaluation tool for street greenery in urban planning, additionally used as an index for urban environmental research.