The Influence of Different Visual Elements of High-Density Urban Observation Decks on the Visual Behavior and Place Identity of Tourists and Residents

The visual environment of landscape views in historic districts faces challenges from high population density and tall modern buildings. This study takes the Historic Districts of Macau as an example, collecting eye-tracking data from 30 residents and tourists and data from 237 questionnaires to verify the differences in visual behavior and place-identity emotions of different visual elements and to explore the correlation between landscape visual perception and place identity. The results show that: (1) Residents and tourists exhibit the same visual behavior when viewing the same landscape images, but there are significant differences in their place-identity psychology. (2) There are significant differences in the visual behavior of different visual elements in landscape images. In particular, the visual elements of landmark buildings have significant visual attractions, but the proportion of landmark buildings in visual elements is low. (3) The visual aesthetic evaluation factors of 13 landscape elements, including the color vividness of landmark buildings, the color vividness of water, the color vividness of mountains, and the color vividness of landmark buildings, have a significant impact on the sense of place identity in historic districts. In addition, the method of combining eye-tracking and psychometric measurement used in this study can effectively evaluate the urban landscape visual experience. The research results help to understand the attractiveness of important landscape views in historic districts and provide data support and reference for the visual control and protection of historic district landscapes.