Google Streetview shows social importance pedestrian friendly environment

An example of Google Street View (GSV) panorama segmentation by DeepLabv3+: a) original GSV panorama and b) segmented image. With Google Streetview and Deep Learning, researchers at the University of Amsterdam and the University of Twente identified how the urban environment is linked to the vitality of social organisations and neighbourhoods. They conclude that, if an environment provides more space to pedestrians, this will be conducive to neighbourhood-based social organisations' chances of survival. Neighbourhood-based social organisations are important building blocks for social life in urban districts. They play a central role in representing, connecting, empowering and mobilising district residents and hence in promoting social interactions and mutual solidarity. Examples are organisations that organise sports activities, hobby clubs and cultural associations. The absence of these organisations undermines social integration in a district and may even cause or exacerbate problems among residents.