Greener Streets Linked to Longer Sleep: AI Study Reveals How Neighborhood Visual Traits Impact Rest

Study links neighborhood visual traits to human sleep

Osaka Metropolitan UniversityAug 3 2026Reviewed Your neighborhood's "streetscape"-the physical environment of your street-is something that you have probably never consciously thought about, despite seeing it every day. But what if the streetscape was affecting you on a subconscious level and disrupting your sleep? This intriguing question is posed by the findings of a study led by Professor Daisuke Matsushita of the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology at Osaka Metropolitan University. The research team used AI to analyze more than 200,000 Google Street View images to identify visual neighborhood characteristics. They then linked these characteristics to the self-reported sleep of 1,089 working adults living on the lower floors of apartments in Tokyo, who were most likely to be affected by the streetscape. They found that those living in neighborhoods rated as having a stronger sense of safety tended to sleep longer, and that this rating appeared to be shaped by the streetscape. Generally, people slept longer in areas with lots of greenery, such as leafy trees, on the street. Similarly, high "enclosure"-meaning many tall vertical buildings and few wide-open spaces-was also associated with longer sleep and fewer insomnia symptoms. However, the study also made a surprising finding. The researchers found that highly walkable streetscapes, such as those with more sidewalks and traffic signs, were associated with a lowered sense of safety and shortened sleep duration. This suggests that walkability does not always represent a reassuring environment. Instead, a possible explanation is that streets with extensive pedestrian infrastructure are often busier, more crowded, and used by more strangers, which may be perceived as less safe or less relaxing than quieter residential streets. This study demonstrates the potential for evaluating streetscape characteristics across large geographic areas in a cost-effective manner. Based on the technique used in this study, cities could potentially measure perceived safety, beauty, liveliness, and enclosure as well as pollution and noise." Professor Daisuke Matsushita, Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology, Osaka Metropolitan University "We hope that opening up this new perspective creates further possibilities for designing healthier neighborhoods," he concludes. The findings were published in Building and Environment. Source: Osaka Metropolitan University Journal reference: Wang, X., et al. (2026). Urban eye-level landscapes and sleep health: Cross-sectional evidence from a megacity using machine learning for objective and perceptual assessment. Building and Environment. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2026.114711. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132326005160?via%3Dihub

Greener streets linked to longer sleep, study suggests

The way a neighbourhood looks could influence how well people sleep, new research suggests, adding to growing evidence that urban design can affect public health. Sleep is increasingly recognised as a key pillar of health, with poor sleep linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression and reduced productivity. As cities look for ways to improve residents' wellbeing, researchers are exploring whether features of the built environment can also help people get a better night's rest. A new study suggests that greener neighbourhoods and streets with greater visual enclosure - for example, where buildings or trees frame the street - are associated with longer sleep, while neighbourhoods with more pedestrian-friendly street layouts were associated with shorter sleep. Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan examined how neighbourhood appearance and perceptions of safety affect sleep among employed adults aged 40 to 59 living on the third floor or below in Tokyo. The research team used AI to analyse more than 200,000 Google Street View images to identify visual neighbourhood characteristics. They then linked these characteristics to the self-reported sleep of 1,089 working adults living on the lower floors of apartments. The researchers found that streets framed by buildings or trees were associated with fewer symptoms of insomnia and longer sleep duration. There was also some evidence that this relationship was partly explained by residents feeling their neighbourhoods were safer and more lively. "Our results also reinforce a significant positive association between perceived safety and sleep duration," researchers wrote. Greener neighbourhoods were linked to higher perceptions of safety and, in turn, longer sleep, while neighbourhoods with more pedestrian-friendly street layouts were associated with lower perceived safety and shorter sleep. The authors say the findings broaden understanding of how urban environments influence sleep health and identify practical indicators that could inform future research and urban planning interventions aimed at creating healthier cities.