A Study on Pedestrians’ Satisfaction and Preferences for Green Patterns according to the Sidewalk Width Using VR: The Case of Seoul, South Korea
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear Authors,
The manuscript addresses a theme of interest to the planning and management of cities. The importance of the quality of the public space to induce pedestrian movements has a decisive relevance for the promotion of the quality of the city itself. The manuscript however needs a very thorough revision on the following points:
1 - The abstract must be rewritten introducing the problem, the methodology, a brief discussion of the results achieved and the main findings.
2 - The introduction should be developed in such a way that the research question and the identified knowledge gap can be framed in a robust theoretical basis and in other papers already published on the subject, in particular the methodological approaches adopted.
3 - The material and methods section should be more understandable so that other researchers can replicate the methodology in other geographical contexts.
4 - The application of the case study and the discussion of the results cannot be done solely on the basis of statistical treatment or images, it needs to confront and compare the results obtained with the theoretical framework that should appear in the introduction section.
5 - The conclusions have to be focused on the findigns in an objective way.
6 - The bibliographic references must be in greater number taking into account other more current works already carried out on the same problem and in the same country.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
The manuscript addresses a theme of interest to the planning and management of cities. The importance of the quality of the public space to induce pedestrian movements has a decisive relevance for the promotion of the quality of the city itself. The manuscript however needs a very thorough revision on the following points:
Point 1: The abstract must be rewritten introducing the problem, the methodology, a brief discussion of the results achieved and the main findings.
Response 1: Thank you for your pertinent comment. Based on the reviewer’s feedback, we have rewritten the abstract to better explain the problems that this study explores. Furthermore, we briefly summarized the research methods and included a brief discussion of the results and conclusions.
Point 2: The introduction should be developed in such a way that the research question and the identified knowledge gap can be framed in a robust theoretical basis and in other papers already published on the subject, in particular the methodological approaches adopted.
Response 2: Thank you for this suggestion. We have picked the question 'Will walking satisfaction increase as the amount of greenery in the walking space increases?' as the research question. To do so, a survey was conducted using virtual reality. Unlike a written survey, VR survey allows respondents to experience the site virtually. It was suitable for use in the satisfaction and preference survey on the green area pattern of the walking environment conducted in this study and was a differentiating factor for the present study.
Point 3: The material and methods section should be more understandable so that other researchers can replicate the methodology in other geographical contexts.
Response 3: Thank you for this valuable suggestion. Based on the reviewer’s feedback, we have described ways to build a VR environment.
Point 4: The application of the case study and the discussion of the results cannot be done solely on the basis of statistical treatmentor images, it needs to confront and compare the results obtained with the theoretical framework that should appear in the introduction section.
Response 4: Thank you for this suggestion. The research question of this study, 'Will walking satisfaction increase as the amount of green space increases in the walking space?' was added to the introduction section and a comparison of the results and the theoretical framework was included.
Point 5: The conclusions have to be focused on the findings in an objective way.
Response 5: Thank you for this suggestion This study is largely divided into satisfaction and preference analysis. The results of the satisfaction and preference surveys have been objectively summarized and rewritten.
Point 6: The bibliographic references must be in greater numbertaking into account other more current works already carried outon the same problem and in the same country.
Response 6: Based on the reviewer’s feedback, we have made references to previous related studies.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear authors
Your article is very interesting and I am inclined to recommend its publication to the Land Editor.
However, there are some flaws to fix and I have listed them below.
1) The title is inaccurate and does not clearly inform readers about the topic of the article. I recommend that authors create another title, in the form of a newspaper headline. For example: "Sideway width and trees are the most important factors in planning green pedestrian sidewalks in Seoul"
2) Please add 4 more keywords. This will increase the paper's visibility on search engines such as Google Scholar, and help readers decide to read it.
3) In the Introduction it is advisable that you write a paragraph about population aging, which is a global phenomenon (with the exception of Africa) and, I suppose, is also happening in South Korea. My point is: friendly sidewalks are very important and even more urgent for seniors. This is an important rationale for your paper.
4) Regarding these statements (lines 45-50) "Street trees offer one of the most cost-effective options to sequester carbon dioxide and therefore to offset the high quantities of embodied carbon that are embedded in our modern metropolitan infrastructure [9]. It has become more important to focus on qualitative aspects, including the nature and functionality of the space, rather than simply increasing the amount of green space [10]."
I have two recommendations: A) it is necessary to clarify the claim that street trees sequester urban CO2. Only street trees are insufficient to neutralize the CO2 emitted in cities, and therefore, parks, tree-lined squares and backyards with trees are also important spaces in this sense - and should also be objects of planning. I suggest that this reflection be incorporated into the article;
and B) please include this information, between lines 45-50: street trees are fundamental for the attraction and maintenance of wild birds, i.e., they collaborate with the conservation of urban biodiversity. I suggest that the authors read and cite this reference: "J.C. Pena, F. Martello, M.C. Ribeiro, R.A. Armitage, R.J. Young, M. Rodrigues Street trees reduce the negative effects of urbanization on birds PLoS One1, 12 (3) (2017) ".
Greetings from Brazil,
The Reviewer
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
Your article is very interesting and I am inclined to recommend its publication to the Land Editor. However, there are some flaws to fix and I have listed them below.
Point 1: The title is inaccurate and does not clearly inform readers about the topic of the article. I recommend that authors create another title, in the form of a newspaper headline. For example:"Sideway width and trees are the most important factors in planning green pedestrian sidewalks in Seoul"
Response 1: Thank you for your comment. We have amended the title as ‘A Study on the Satisfaction and Preference of Green Patterns according to the sidewalk width by using VR: The case of Seoul, South Korea’.
Point 2: Please add 4 more keywords. This will increase the paper's visibility on search engines such as Google Scholar, and helpreaders decide to read it.
Response 2: Thank you for this valuable suggestion We have added four more keywords, being multi-linear regression analysis, t-test analysis, 360 camera, and green pattern.
Point 3: In the Introduction it is advisable that you write a paragraph about population aging, which is a global phenomenon (with the exception of Africa) and, I suppose, is also happening in South Korea. My point is: friendly sidewalks are very important and even more urgent for seniors. This is an important rationale for your paper.
Response 3: We appreciate for your careful review. We agree with that the aging population is also an important factor in walking-friendly cities; however, this study focuses on environmental issues rather than demographic ones. Therefore, we believe that it would be more beneficial to add information on carbon neutrality than information on population aging.
Point 4: Regarding these statements (lines 45-50) "Street trees offer one of the most cost-effective options to sequester carbon dioxide and therefore to offset the high quantities of embodied carbon that are embedded in our modern metropolitan infrastructure [9]. It has become more important to focus on qualitative aspects, including the nature and functionality of the space, rather than simply increasing the amount of green space[10]."I have two recommendations: A) it is necessary to clarify the claim that street trees sequester urban CO2. Only street trees are insufficient to neutralize the CO2 emitted in cities, and therefore, parks, tree-lined squares and backyards with trees are also important spaces in this sense - and should also be objects of planning. I suggest that this reflection be incorporated into the article; and B) please include this information, between lines 45-50:street trees are fundamental for the attraction and maintenance of wild birds, i.e., they collaborate with the conservation of urban biodiversity. I suggest that the authors read and cite this reference: "J.C. Pena, F. Martello, M.C. Ribeiro, R.A. Armitage,R.J. Young, M. Rodrigues Street trees reduce the negativeeffects of urbanization on birds PLoS One1, 12 (3) (2017) ".
Response 4: Based on the reviewer’s recommendation, we have included the aforementioned information on lines 45-50.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear authors, in my opinion this work is not ready to be published. You need to investigates more factors and integrate them in the VR representation. The results are trivial, and do not need the application of this experimentation. You need for example to integrate vehicular traffic or also urban density. The dimension of sidewalks depends also on the volume of buildings and the dimensions of the roads. You need also to use a more clear english language and to explore the concepts shown in the introduction.
Good work
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 3 Comments
Point 1: Dear authors, in my opinion this work is not ready to be published. You need to investigates more factors and integrate them in the VR representation. The results are trivial, and do not need the application of this experimentation. You need for example to integrate vehicular traffic or also urban density. The dimension of sidewalks depends also on the volume of buildings and the dimensions of the roads. You need also to use a more clear english language and to explore the concepts shown in the introduction.
Response 1: We appreciate your careful review. We agree that the dimension of sidewalks depends on the volume of buildings and the dimension of the roads. However, this study required subjects to exclude the surrounding environment as much as possible, and focus only on coverage during the survey. Hence, there was no mention of the surrounding environment, such as buildings and lanes in the progress and results of this study. Therefore, we have written this content by referring to the second of the three limitations of the study. We have also rewritten the introduction and improved the use of the English language.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 4 Report
The reviewed study aims to investigate citizens' preferences for green space in Seoul. Therefore, a satisfaction survey was done with 32 participants, and VR technology was used to learn their thoughts. The manuscript might be interesting to the audiences, but its novelty and scientific soundness are low. In my opinion, it cannot be published in the journal as such. If the following remarks are made, the manuscript can be re-evaluated.
1. The study's main purpose and research questions were not clearly defined, and the importance was not clearly stated. Therefore, it is needed explaining of some critical points:
o How to relate to current knowledge?
o What are the differences from previous studies?
o What is the main objective of the study?
2. The study's relationship with smart cities can be stated to improve its novelty.
3. Used methods and data were not specified in the Introduction. Furthermore, the text needed to explain the methodology and the reason for selecting multi-linear regression and t-test analysis.
4. A workflow can be drawn to make the methodology understandable.
5. The hypothesis of the t-test should be explained. On the other hand, the DW values were not interpreted in the manuscript. Furthermore, the confidence level of DW values should be explained. Overall, the methodology is unsatisfactory, so this section should be improved.
6. The obtained results were not discussed with research questions and previous studies. Therefore, the Discussion and Conclusion sections should be reorganized.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 4 Comments
The reviewed study aims to investigate citizens' preferences for green space in Seoul. Therefore, a satisfaction survey was done with 32 participants, and VR technology was used to learn their thoughts. The manuscript might be interesting to the audiences, but its novelty and scientific soundness are low. In my opinion, it cannot be published in the journal as such. If the following remarks are made, the manuscript can be re-evaluated.
Point 1: The study's main purpose and research questions were not clearly defined, and the importance was not clearly stated. Therefore, it is needed explaining of some critical points:
1) How to relate to current knowledge?
2) What are the differences from previous studies?
3) What is the main objective of the study?
Response 1: This study was conducted to investigate the appropriate green patterns for each sidewalk width; therefore, the research question was “Will walking satisfaction increase as the amount of green spaces increase in the walking space?” We used VR to conduct a survey on the satisfaction and preferences on green patterns according to the width of the sidewalk. Unlike a written survey, a survey using VR has the advantage of allowing participants to experience the site without going to the site in person. It is suitable for satisfaction and preference survey on the green area pattern of the walking environment conducted in this study, and is a differentiating factor from other studies. In addition, in line with the transition to future cities, the use of VR is differentiated by VR's potential to help urban and regional planning.
Point 2: The study's relationship with smart cities can be stated to improve its novelty.
Response 2: Thank you for your suggestion. We have added information on the relationship with smart cities in the introduction and conclusion sections.
Point 3: Used methods and data were not specified in the Introduction. Furthermore, the text needed to explain the methodology and the reason for selecting multi-linear regression and t-test analysis.
Response 3: Thank you for this feedback. The introduction includes information on the background and purpose of the study, along with the methods used and the data obtained. Furthermore, multilinear regression was used to identify variables that affected the overall satisfaction of each destination the most and to see if there was a difference based on coverage width. The t-test was analyzed considering the possibility of differences in recognizing the VR environment between groups, based on whether they wanted to visit the destination.
Point 4: A work flow can be drawn to make the methodology understandable.
Response 4: Thank you. The description of ways to build a VR has been rewritten to for clarity and comprehension.
Point 5: The hypothesis of the t-test should be explained. On the other hand, the DW values were not interpreted in the manuscript. Furthermore, the confidence level of DW values should be explained. Overall, the methodology is unsatisfactory, so this section should be improved.
Response 5 : The t-test hypothesized that ‘There will be a difference in the response to preference depending on whether they wanted to visit the destination.’ In addition, the DW values were previously only mentioned in the table; we have added the explanation in the manuscript and rewritten the methodology section.
Point 6: The obtained results were not discussed with research questions and previous studies. Therefore, the Discussion and Conclusion sections should be reorganized.
Response 6: We have reorganized the conclusion to account for the new research question we added in the introduction. Furthermore, we rewrote the results to state that not many green areas in the walking space have high satisfaction unconditionally. We have elaborated on the points that differentiate this study from previous studies.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 5 Report
T
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 5 Comments
We appreciate for your careful review. We have improved the paper to ensure it conforms to the highest standard of quality.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 6 Report
Thank you for your valuable contribution. The paper is well-written and the methodology is well-structured.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 6 Comments
Thank you for your valuable contribution. The paper is well-written and the methodology is well-structured.
We appreciate for your careful review. We have improved the paper further to ensure it conforms to the highest standard of quality.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear Authors,
Many thanks for the improvement made in your initial text. I consider the manuscript has improved. However I consider the paper with a low relevance to future researchers as scientific reference or methodological process.
Author Response
Point 1: I consider the paper with a low relevance to future researchers as scientific reference or methodological process.
Response 1: Thank you for your feedback. We have added a comprehensive review of the literature on the potential of VR, and completed a thorough analysis of existing research. The study explores the potential of VR in the planning and design of urban spaces through its utilization. Overall, this paper contributes to the literature on the use of VR in urban planning and design, and is suitable for publication in a reputable journal in this field.
Point 1-1: scientific reference.
Response 1-1: We appreciate your careful reading. We have added a discussion of the significance of our study by comparing it to previous research. This study demonstrates the potential of VR to enhance the planning and design of urban spaces by enabling users to experience eye-level perspectives within virtual environments, and select better design options with more reliable results. This contributes to improving the potential of VR in the planning and design process for future urban spaces. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of planning suitable green patterns for pedestrian paths based on the results of their analysis. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of VR in urban planning and design, and highlights the importance of incorporating suitable green patterns into pedestrian paths.
[Lines 47~58]
[Lines 74~77]
[Lines 98~121, 1.3 Novelty]
In addition, we have utilized the literature review presented in the introduction to emphasize the differences between our study and previous research. Based on this analysis, we presented our research results. By highlighting the unique contributions of the study, we effectively positioned our research within the broader field of VR in urban planning and design. The results demonstrate that the use of VR technology can enable more accurate and reliable analysis of urban spaces, particularly in terms of pedestrian paths and green patterns.
[Line 391~407]
[Line 419~434]
Point 1-2: methodological process.
Response 1-2: We have provided a detailed description of the analysis methods and process used in this study. Additionally, we included a summary table of the analysis methods in three stages to enhance the readability of the paper. This will help make the study more accessible to readers. The inclusion of this table also helps to ensure transparency and reproducibility in the research process.
[Line 131~133]
[Line 189~224]
[Line 270~271, Figure 4]
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear authors, now the content is more clear. Anyway, I still think that this methodology could be exploited also in other scenarios, considering also other variables.
Author Response
Point 1: Methodology could be exploited also in other scenarios, considering also other variables.
Response 1: We have provided a detailed description of the analysis methods and process used in this study. Additionally, we included a summary table of the analysis methods in three stages to enhance the readability of the paper. This will help make the study more accessible to readers. The inclusion of this table also helps to ensure transparency and reproducibility in the research process.
[Line 131~133]
[Line 189~224]
[Line 270~271, Figure 4]
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 4 Report
I want to thank the authors for considering my suggestions. However, some critical points still remain that should be edited. The importance of the study was not strongly emphasized. On the other hand, the methodology section should be improved. Besides, the obtained results should be discussed with previous studies. In my opinion, it is not proper for the study to be published in the journal.
Author Response
Response to Academic Editor & Reviewer 4 Comments
Editor’s suggestions: Please the author mainly revise the manuscript according to R4’s opinion, emphasize the importance, improve methodology and discuss the results in relation to previous studies.
We appreciate your ongoing effort and support. After careful consideration, we have revised our paper based on Reviewer 4’s comments. Details are as follows.
Reviewer 4 Comments:
Point 1: The importance of the study was not strongly emphasized.
Response 1: We appreciate your careful reading. We have added a discussion of the significance of our study by comparing it to previous research. This study demonstrates the potential of VR to enhance the planning and design of urban spaces by enabling users to experience eye-level perspectives within virtual environments, and select better design options with more reliable results. This contributes to improving the potential of VR in the planning and design process for future urban spaces. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of planning suitable green patterns for pedestrian paths based on the results of their analysis. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of VR in urban planning and design, and highlights the importance of incorporating suitable green patterns into pedestrian paths.
[Lines 47~58]
[Lines 74~77]
[Lines 98~121, 1.3 Novelty]
Point 2: The methodology section should be improved.
Response 2: We have provided a detailed description of the analysis methods and process used in this study. Additionally, we included a summary table of the analysis methods in three stages to enhance the readability of the paper. This will help make the study more accessible to readers. The inclusion of this table also helps to ensure transparency and reproducibility in the research process.
[Line 131~133]
[Line 189~224]
[Line 270~271, Figure 4]
Point 3: The obtained results should be discussed with previous studies
Response 3: We have utilized the literature review presented in the introduction to emphasize the differences between our study and previous research. Based on this analysis, we presented our research results. By highlighting the unique contributions of the study, we effectively positioned our research within the broader field of VR in urban planning and design. The results demonstrate that the use of VR technology can enable more accurate and reliable analysis of urban spaces, particularly in terms of pedestrian paths and green patterns.
[Line 391~407]
[Line 419~434]
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
