University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Botanic garden visitors’ preference analysis - A case study of Chicago botanic garden

Huang, Hexiang

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124592

Description

Title
Botanic garden visitors’ preference analysis - A case study of Chicago botanic garden
Author(s)
Huang, Hexiang
Issue Date
2024-05-03
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Deal, Brian
Committee Member(s)
  • Sullivan, William C.
  • Lemon, Kelley
  • Fang, Fang
Department of Study
Landscape Architecture
Discipline
Landscape Architecture
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.L.A.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Landscape spatial analysis
  • Visitor preferences
  • User-generated content
Abstract
User-generated content (UGC) offers an extensive and readily accessible data source for understanding visitor preferences and experiences in natural landscapes. However, there is a lack of large-scale spatial analysis of UGC images depicting landscapes. This study introduces a novel framework that systematically manages and analyzes landscape UGC data to investigate visitor preferences at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The methodology involves web scraping Google Maps reviews and photos, employing generative AI models for computer vision-based image analysis, and applying natural language processing techniques for text analysis. Landscape spatial structure types, elements, components, and plant species are systematically categorized and quantified from the images, while sentiment analysis extracts visitors' feedback and experiences from the text reviews. The results provide insights into the most favored landscape spaces, elements, and specific components that enhance visitor experiences. The efficacy of integrating UGC data analysis with GenAI models is demonstrated, bridging existing research gaps concerning spatial assessment and quantification of visitors' landscape preferences. This study contributes methodological advances in utilizing UGC for landscape research and offers practical implications to empower landscape managers and designers in creating visitor-centric spaces aligned with user preferences. The systematic management of landscape UGC data presents a viable complementary approach to conventional visitor survey methods for landscape design and management.
Graduation Semester
2024-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2024 Hexiang Huang

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