Impact of window views on occupant’s well-being and readiness to pay in residential buildings: A case from Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India

Building windows act as the critical interface between indoor and outdoor environments. A high-quality view positively influences the various aspects of human well-being, including health, cognitive performance, and emotional satisfaction. Views that were considered aesthetically pleasing often incorporate elements that facilitate a connection to the surrounding environment, thereby enhancing occupants’ overall experience. The study aims to establish a relationship between window gazing, occupancy cost, and view content.

Recent advancements in computer vision (CV) techniques have provided the means to objectively quantify the physical environment. Semantic segmentation involves dividing an image into distinct, specified classes, like the sky, trees, and cars. It is a method that assigns a class to each pixel, which is subsequently combined to reflect the overall class of an image. The generated segments offer a comprehensive summary of the elements found in the image.

This research employs a systematic approach to assess the value of window views in urban environments. The study gathered data through an online survey distributed to residents of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The study employed a semantic segmentation task on the collected images. This technique categorizes the view elements into two distinct classes namely, urban features (buildings and other artificial features), and natural elements (open sky, green spaces (vegetation), and water bodies). Beyond quantitative data, the survey also inquired about participants’ window preferences and the time spent looking out the window. Building on this, the research further investigates the relationships between view content, ratings, and cost through correlation analysis. Additionally, it explores the impact of specific view elements on window gazing behavior.

This study highlights the significant influence of window view content on residents’ preferences. Views featuring natural elements, particularly water bodies (seas or lakes) and open skies, have a profound effect on the gazing time of the window. The study also reveals a positive correlation between view content and rental costs. Notably, apartments with views of water bodies often command higher premiums.

A comprehensive understanding of how window views influence rental costs and preferences can lead to more holistic urban planning and development, ultimately prioritizing resident well-being and creating neighbourhoods with a high quality of life.