Urban green infrastructure and recreational patterns: A 3D geospatial data analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of 3D geospatial data to explain the spatial distribution of outdoor leisure-time activities in Helsinki, Finland, as mapped through Public Participation GIS (PPGIS). By integrating airborne laser scanning (ALS) data with traditional land cover data derived from satellite imagery, we provide complementary insights into urban green infrastructure (UGI) characteristics. Key findings reveal that features such as Relative canopy cover and Average crown area are associated with outdoor activity distribution, particularly for social interactions and nature enjoyment. Proximity to rivers and the sea also emerged as crucial factors, highlighting the importance of blue spaces for recreational activities. However, the relatively low explained variance for some activities suggests a complex interplay of factors, including built infrastructure and socio-demographic characteristics, influencing urban outdoor recreation behavior. This study highlights the value of high-resolution 3D data for urban planning and UGI research, providing detailed insights into the vertical structure of urban greenery, which are not captured by traditional satellite imagery-based greenness indices. In this paper, we present details of our analytical approach, share the results, discuss the observations, and envision future research directions.