Refining the potential visual exposure index for the assessment of residential visual privacy: a three-dimensional study

Residential visual privacy is an important issue in modern society. This paper proposes improved Potential Visual Exposure Index (I-PVEI) to evaluate the risks of exposure along building facades a dense residential environment. Compared with PVEI indicator, proposed method introduces observer’s view direction based on perception and applies weighting scheme construct I-PVEI. To validate I-PVEI, case study neighborhood located at center Kowloon, Hong Kong, was evaluated. The results demonstrate: (1) observers from pedestrian levels had different impacts neighborhood, resulting I-PVEI distribution patterns facades; (2) Although significant changes value could be found across facades, values always presented uniform change trend same façade; (3) quantitative indicator can perceive subtle openings corner building, which overlooked by PVEI. indicate that optional for assessment urban planning design.