ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
Community green spaces play a critical role in enhancing urban livability, particularly in desert cities where harsh climatic conditions limit ecological resilience and outdoor social activity. However, many green spaces in arid urban environments remain fragmented, visually incoherent, and underutilised. This study investigates residents' perceptions of visual coherence in community green spaces within the Hexi Corridor of northwestern China. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey of 406 residents, supported by photographic visual assessments and spatial observations in three representative desert cities: Wuwei, Zhangye, and Jiayuguan. Quantitative analysis reveals that several key factors, including vegetation quality, spatial organisation, accessibility, and perceived safety, shape residents' perceptions of visual coherence. The findings further show that demographic characteristics influence how users evaluate visual harmony and landscape order. The study highlights the importance of integrating perceptual quality into green space planning and provides design insights for improving ecological resilience, usability, and aesthetic coherence in desert urban landscapes.
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