Development of a Public Open Space Desktop Auditing Tool (POSDAT): A remote sensing approach

Abstract

Auditing public open space (POS) until now has generally relied on direct-observation methods that are time consuming and expensive. Recently, remote-assessment methods using Google Earth have been used to assess the quality of parks without the need for in-person visits. This paper builds on auditing approaches used to date, and trials the development of the Public Open Space Desktop Auditing Tool (i.e., POSDAT) that combines web-based information and remote sensing. Validation of POSDAT was undertaken by comparing desktop and on-the-ground audit results using an existing instrument (POST). The agreement between POSDAT and POST attractiveness scores were assessed using a Bland-Altman plot f..