Table 2 Respondents’ perceptions of the environmental status in rural and urban areas

Did you notice an improvement in the air quality?

3.21 (0.99)

411 (23.36%)

682 (38.75%)

3.38 (0.99)

912 (18.2%)

2353 (46.96%)

< 0.001

0.111

0.219

−6.288

< 0.001

< 0.001

Did you notice a decrease in factory gas emissions?

3.25 (0.99)

355 (20.18%)

697 (39.6%)

3.38 (1.03)

1003 (20.02%)

2374 (47.38%)

< 0.001

0.073

0.182

−4.705

< 0.001

< 0.001

Did you notice an improvement in the water quality of rivers and lakes?

3.01 (1.06)

579 (32.9%)

564 (32.05%)

3.17 (1.03)

1275 (25.45%)

1880 (37.52%)

< 0.001

0.102

0.216

−5.656

< 0.001

< 0.001

Did you notice a decrease in the surrounding noise?

3.22 (1.24)

636 (36.14%)

886 (50.34%)

3.55 (1.22)

1291 (25.77%)

3143 (62.72%)

< 0.001

0.265

0.400

−9.866

< 0.001

< 0.001

Did you notice the numbers decreased in the tourist areas?

3.7 (1.01)

219 (12.45%)

1119 (63.58%)

3.84 (1.04)

664 (13.26%)

3628 (72.4%)

< 0.001

0.085

0.195

−6.184

< 0.001

< 0.001

Did you notice that the numbers and gatherings in malls, restaurants, and stores decrease?

3.02 (1.37)

791 (44.95%)

821 (46.65%)

3.35 (1.37)

1788 (35.69%)

2941 (58.69%)

< 0.001

0.254

0.402

−8.725

< 0.001

< 0.001

Did you notice that public transport is less crowded?

2.53 (1.38)

1075 (61.08%)

567 (32.22%)

2.97 (1.42)

2321 (46.32%)

2309 (46.08%)

< 0.001

0.361

0.513

−11.070

< 0.001

< 0.001