Yong-Ji Piao

Bio: Yong-Ji Piao is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Landscape architecture & Landscape design. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 11 publications receiving 32 citations.

Semantic Differential Analysis of the Soundscape in Urban Park

Abstract: In this study, soundscape was analyzed through physical measurement and social surveys. The results showed that, soundscape components were related to functional partitions and tourist activities, at the same time influenced by ambient noise. The sound pressure levels showed daily regular changes. Semantic differential analysis showed that the evaluation of the soundscape in urban park was rather complicated. It was still possible to identify major factors including relaxation, spatiality and environment. The results provided theoretical basis for improving urban park soundscape, and called attention to this problem.

From Blemish to Decoration: the Landscape of Municipal Facilities in Urban Green Space

Abstract: As the combination of technique and art, environmental facilities have the function to improve the image of urban green space. Among these facilities, some can be designed and arranged reasonably. But to the facilities of sewage, electricity and sanitation and so on, are usually ignored and become the blemish in the green space. Based on the analysis of the status, taking the design of well cover of sewage as an example, the landscape approaches are discussed from form, material, color and artistic technique and so on. Key words : Landscape, Green space, Municipal facility, Local culture 1. Introduction 1) Green space is not only the primary place for leisure and recreation for residents, but more of an important window to display urban economics, culture and environment. It also reflects the inhabitants’ ideological status and cultural demands. As essential material bodies for urban public environment and places, environmental facilities named as “street furniture, outdoor props, urban” and so on, receive broad attentions from the designers and urban constructors(Wu et al., 2009; Tao and Zhang, 2004; Wang et al., 2009; Chen et al., 2009). However, there are some unsatisfactory effects on these facilities, such as being blindly eager for novelty or taken as “standardized parts” or arranged casually. The municipal facilities, as part of the environmental facilities, are more concerned with the layout and optimization of their basic functions yet tended to be neglected with landscaping.

Influencing the Willingness to Pay for Urban Park Service Functions

Abstract: The contingent valuation method (CVM) was used along with a questionnaire survey and field research methods to analyze the factors affecting willingness to pay (WTP) for urban parks in Tai’an. The results indicated that roughly 50% of the residents visited the urban parks weekly. Doing physical exercises and viewing topped the list of activities. Residents of different characteristics had different WTPs for the service functions of urban parks. From the two surveys, 60.1% and 61.4% of residents would be willing to pay. The average individual WTPs were 42.2 yuan·a -1 and 43.1 yuan·a -1 in the two surveys, and the medianin dividual WTP was 20.0 yuan·a -1 . WTP was mainly affected by satisfaction, and WTP value was mainly affected by education level and income. Other factors had some correlation, but none were significant. Finally, some useful suggestions and references were given to the government in order to enhance the urban park services proposal. Key words : Urban park, Willingness to pay (WTP), Contingent valuation method (CVM), Correlation analysis

The Research on Herb and Its Allocation Form in Landscape

Abstract: In order to provide a scientific foundation for herb application in landscape, the photographs were taken from the herb landscape in urban green space and sightseeing garden. The questionnaire-based survey was also applied to analyze the cognitive situation of herb. Most investigators love herb, but have a low level of herb; Interviewees’ consideration of herb function lie in ornamental, healthcare and medical treatment; The bulk of the visitors think herb landscape is insufficient; Investigators’ preferences for herb application forms are landscape edging and combining with stone. We also probe into the optimum allocation form combining herb with landscape elements. When we combine herb with landscape water or landscape architecture, artistic conception and reasonable plant allocation should be considered; When we combine herb with landscape path or garden ornament, reasonable plant disposition and appearance and practical collocation should be thought over; When we combine herb with flower-border, richly colored landscape and reasonable plant allocation should be deliberated on. Key words : Herb, Cognitive, Allocation form

The Research Regarding of Visitors' Perception of Animal Elements in Landscape Architecture

Abstract: Based on the survey of East Lake Park, South Lake Park and Tian Waicun in Tai'an by questionnaire survey, on-the-spot investigation and in-depth interview, the paper analyzes the tendencies of visitors to the animal elements and animal landscape in landscape architecture from three terms: primary attributes, the cognition of animal elements and animal elements landscape preferences. We have drawn several conclusions: the landscapes of animal elements are in urgent demand by the public ; The animal elements having lovely image, auspicious meaning and local characteristics are the most popular application types of animal elements landscapes ; The most favorite types of animals and animal elements are: doves, cranes monkeys, pandas, butterflies, dragonflies, fold fish, dolphins, dragons and cartoon animals ; The popular landscaping techniques of animal elements are the methods of combining with plants, buildings and garden ornaments.

Assessment of heavy metals mobility and toxicity in contaminated sediments by sequential extraction and a battery of bioassays

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess heavy metals mobility and toxicity in sediments collected from a dam reservoir in the conditions of intensive human impact by using chemical fractionation and a battery of bioassays. In the studies, the test organisms were exposed to substances dissolved in water (Microtox, Phytotestkit) as well to substances absorbed on the surface of solid particles (Phytotoxkit, Ostracodtoxkit F). The studies showed that sediments from the Rybnik reservoir are toxic, but the tested organisms showed different sensitivity to heavy metals occurring in the bottom sediments. The sediment samples were classified as toxic and very toxic. Moreover, the studies showed a higher toxicity in solid phases and whole sediment than in pore water. The lowest sensitivity was observed in H. incongruens (solid phases) and V. fischeri (pore water, whole sediment). The studies revealed that the toxicity of the sediments is caused mainly by heavy metal forms associated with the solid phase of the sediments. The studies did not confirm the metals occurring in fraction I (exchangeable) to be bioavailable and toxic to living organisms because most correlations between the metal concentration in fraction I and the response of the organisms were negative. The highest mobility from the bottom sediments was found in zinc, average mobility—in copper, cadmium and nickel, and low mobility—in chromium and lead. Organic matter is likely to be the most important factor controlling metal distribution and mobility in the studied sediments.

Evaluation of physico-chemical parameters in water and total heavy metals in sediments at Nakdong River Basin, Korea

Abstract: Fourteen water and sediment samples were collected from the Nakdong River Basin in Korea to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total organic carbon) in water and total heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As) in surface sediments. The assessment of physico-chemical parameters indicates that river water and sediments in the study area were strongly impacted by industrial wastewater, irrigational effluents and domestic sewage. The overall average concentrations of metals in sediments were Cu (6.41 mg/kg), Cd (0.11 mg/kg), Pb (4.72 mg/kg), Zn (16.8 mg/kg), As (0.19 mg/kg), and the order of the concentrations was Zn > Cu > Pb > As > Cd. Geo-accumulation index (I geo) indicates that most of samples fall at unpolluted to medium category, while contamination factor values fall at the medium to very high pollution zone. Pollution load index also suggests that all samples fall at progressive pollution sector. Multivariate statistical analysis and pollution index methods were helpful for the classification on the basis of the contamination sources and origin of heavy metals. In conclusion, this study clearly infers the fact that the cause of metal pollution in this region is mainly due to the effluents discharged from factories, agricultural fields and sewers.

Urban Resources Selection and Allocation for Emergency Shelters: In a Multi-Hazard Environment.

Abstract: This study explores how emergency shelters can adapt to a multi-hazard environment by geographic information system (GIS) and takes Guangzhou as a case for analysis. The physical suitability of the overall urban resources was first assessed by aiming to select the suitable resources and safe locations for emergency shelters in the context of multiple disasters. Afterward, by analyzing the scale and spatial distribution of affected areas and populations under different types of disaster scenarios, the demand for different kinds of shelters were predicted. Lastly, taking into account the coverage of the affected people, shelters were allocated according to different conditions in the districts. This work will hopefully provide a reference for the construction of emergency shelters and help form emergency operations in order to mitigate the impact of hazards. The issues identified in the study need to be further studied in medium or small-scale cities.