Abstract
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and population growth have intensified interest in understanding how urban environments relate to people’s sentiments and emotions. In recent years, social media data have increasingly been used to investigate these relationships, while a wide range of analytical approaches has been employed to identify and quantify sentiment. This study presents a systematic review of the associations between characteristics of the urban environment and human sentiments and emotions, while also examining the methodological approaches used to assess these relationships. The review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. From an initial set of 655 records, 59 studies met the inclusion criteria. These were published between 2018 and 2025, with most case studies conducted in China (64%), followed by North America (12%), with additional studies in Europe and other Asian contexts. Weibo, a Chinese microblog comparable to Twitter (now X), was the most frequently used data source. Machine-learning and deep-learning (ML/DL) approaches were the most frequently used for sentiment analysis, followed by lexicon-based, hybrid, and manual approaches. Findings reveal generally positive associations between green and blue spaces and positive sentiments, as well as with scenic landscapes, urban features that facilitate social interaction, and social activities, while industrial and transport environments tend to be associated with more negative sentiments. On the other hand, several spatial and density-related indicators show heterogeneous relationships with sentiments, with the association types varying across studies and urban contexts. External stressors are generally associated with negative sentiment, including air pollution, heat-related conditions, extreme precipitation, and signs of environmental degradation. However, some indicators, such as air temperature and noise, show mixed relationships. Higher levels of walkability and perceived safety are also associated with more positive sentiments. Overall, several recurring findings across the reviewed studies can guide urban planning, including improving access to green and blue spaces, enhancing spatial configuration and public infrastructure, ensuring adequate maintenance and accessibility,, reducing exposure to environmental stressors, and improving conditions around transport hubs and stations.