Rate this Scene: Understanding the Science of Scenic Beauty
Our citizen science campaign provided valuable insight into what is most loved about our canals and rivers, and how we can maximise their appeal and wellbeing benefits for the long-term.
Rate this Scene's most popular image in 2022 was a peaceful canal sunset.
In 2021/22, we partnered with the University of Warwick's Data Science Lab to explore why canals have become the most attractive spaces in our towns and cities.
Once key industrial transport routes, and later seen as neglected spaces, canals have undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, they are recognised as vital places for leisure, wellbeing, and connection with nature.
Research from the University of Warwick and The Alan Turing Institute had already shown that canals are rated the most scenic feature in urban environments, surpassing green spaces such as parks. We wanted to help validate the findings with some serious citizen science to really understand the Science of Scenic Beauty, and as a result, Rate this Scene was created.
We found that canals make the biggest contribution for scenic beauty in towns and cities...
Tobia Preis, Professor of Behavioural Science, Warwick Business School
What was Rate this Scene?
Rate this Scene was our Science of Scenic Beauty study, which helped us gather real-world data to shape our work of protecting and enhancing the 2,000 miles of canals and rivers we look after. The further aims of the study were to understand what makes our waterways so aesthetically pleasing, and explore their impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
We invited the public to participate by uploading and rating images of our waterways, so that we could use 'deep learning' AI to identify key elements that contribute to their scenic appeal. This was backed by public figures including Grayson Perry, Chris Packham, Gaby Roslin, Jo Brand, and Angellica Bell, as well as our ambassadors Tony Robinson and Dr Amir Khan.
Over 15,000 images were submitted, generating more than 1.6 million votes.
Approaching Whittington Horsebridge along Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal
What did Rate this Scene discover?
The most highly rated image was a summer sunset on the Grand Union Canal in Wistow, Leicestershire, which showcased a meandering canal with reflections of a glowing sky captured in the water.
Findings showed that features such as trees, reflections on the water, and big skies, when combined with boats, bridges, and locks, were considered the most visually appealing.
How are the findings helping our work?
The study provided valuable insight into why the human brain responds so positively to these 200-year-old spaces. As a result, we have been able to identify and protect key features that we now know are enhancing the wellbeing impact of our canal network.
Rate This Scene has enabled us to focus on partnerships with local community groups and authorities to work to upgrade towpaths, remove graffiti, fly tipping and litter, and plant more trees and hedgerows. Knowing that our canals run through built-up and disadvantaged communities, and serve as a valuable outdoor space for many, we are improving our urban stretches to create safe and inviting spaces for local people to visit and enjoy.
An image of sunrise at Caen Hill Locks was a favourite from Rate this Scene 2022.
With government studies estimating that our canals contributed to around £1 billion in annual NHS savings by promoting physical activity and improving health outcomes, we know that these free, accessible spaces need to be cared for and protected.
How did Rate this Scene work?
In the video below, the scientists from Warwick Business School's Data Science Lab explain how 'deep learning' AI was used in Rate this Scene.
