How Much Greening can Residents See from Apartments?

As cities continue to densify and high-rise developments become more prevalent, residents' views of their surroundings are often obstructed, limiting their visual exposure to natural features such as greenery. Given the increasing amount of time individuals spend indoors, assessing their green views from buildings has become essential, as greenery contributes to livability and well-being. This study develops an observer-centric measure to quantify individual green views from apartment buildings using a spatially explicit framework. The proposed method leverages GIS-based 3D techniques and spatial analysis to capture and quantify green views. Additionally, grey views (built-up environments) and water views (surface water) were quantified to account for the mix of natural and urban features within an observer's views. The framework was tested on sample buildings in Melbourne, Australia, using high-resolution environmental datasets and 3D building models. The results demonstrate significant variations in observers' green views based on building type, floor level, and surrounding urban form. The approach provides valuable insights for urban planners, architects, and policymakers, enabling data-driven strategies to optimize greenery access, enhance urban design, and promote healthier, more sustainable cities. Additionally, it supports health-related policies by facilitating the assessment of green exposure's impact on wellbeing, informing interventions to improve mental and physical health in urban environments.