A five-star review of the park may weigh more than you think. Scientists have turned it into data thanks to artificial intelligence.
Researchers from the Fort Lauderdale-based University of Florida used machine learning to analyze over 30,000 Google Maps and TripAdvisor reviews of parks, gardens and greenways across Broward County. Their analysis identified 11 types of “cultural ecosystem services” or the immaterial benefits nature offers, including beauty, recreation, relaxation and inspiration. By using this type of AI, they identified which parks offer the richest combination of these services.
Their findings published in the journal Ecosystem Services show that parking lots with more trees, more space, diverse plants, and wildlife and water features tend to bring the most value.
AI also revealed that cultural interests often overlap. For example, a popular trail for jogging may offer birdwatching, family time, and quiet reflexes.
“Applying AI to countless online reviews will help you understand how to measure these cultural values and optimize park design and planning for public welfare,” said Haojie Cao, PhD author and doctoral student at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center or FLREC.
The authors of this study suggest that this AI-driven approach can be used everywhere, turning what people are already saying online into practical insights to build healthier and happier communities.
This is a blend of cutting edge technology and homeland values, and the same kind of algorithms that drive healthcare and business innovation help us decipher how people experience and cherish nature in one of Florida's most urban counties. For Broward, whose nearly two million residents share limited open spaces, researchers have found that certain parks make the most of their happiness. Functions such as shade, trees, walks and access to water have become apparently particularly important in shaping people's experiences.
“AI-enabled social media data can provide a valuable tool for urban residents to understand where and how they benefit most from parks and most from management. “In some respects, observations are correct from sources, so the results can be considered citizen science data.”
Among other research attempts, findings revealed that aesthetics, entertainment, physical and experiential products are the most reported cultural ecosystem services offered by urban green spaces. The authors suggest that these bundled benefits are opportunities to design and manage parks in ways that enhance the way they add parks to parks in ways that enhance the user experience.
Ultimately, this study provides an adaptable roadmap with AI and big data to study, map and understand the intangible cultural values of urban nature.
“These cultural ecosystem services are one of the most valuable benefits that urban parks and green spaces offer to residents,” he said. “As cities grow in size and population, sustainable green space planning and management can help them understand how AI and big data can inform and empower them to allocate efforts and resources to improve cultural values and social welfare, and track progress towards these urban policy and intervention goals.”
