The influence of urban campus landscape on college students' exercise participation and mental health: an approach using deep learning and street view images

Purpose College student’s mental health issues have emerged as a significant public health concern. The urban campus environment, being the primary habitat for college students, plays a crucial role in influencing their mental health. Design/methodology/approach Based on survey data from 34 Chinese universities and 1173 college students in 2021, this study utilized deep learning and street view images to explore the relationship between various urban campus landscapes, college students' exercise participation, and mental health. Findings The study revealed substantial variations in campus landscape features, particularly in terms of spatial openness. While green campus landscapes (measured by the Green View Index and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) showed no significant impact on exercise participation or mental health, the Sky View Factor did. Higher levels of campus openness and exercise frequency were associated with better mental health. The study also underscored that the influence of urban campus landscapes on college students' mental health was mediated by their exercise participation. Notably, spatial openness emerged as the most prominent differentiating factor among urban campus landscape attributes, significantly affecting students' exercise participation and mental health. Originality/value Thus, fostering open campus environments and reducing spatial constraints are vital steps in creating a sustainable urban landscape that can help alleviate potential negative effects on college students' mental health issues.