Commercialisation and Visitor Perceptions of Cairo's Urban Parks: A Machine Learning Analysis of User‐Generated Images

ABSTRACT Urban parks in rapidly growing cities serve multiple functions. However, the interplay between natural aesthetics, recreation and commercialisation remains underexplored, especially in the Global South. This study analysed 3179 user‐generated Google Reviews images from 17 public parks in Cairo. We applied topic modelling, K‐means clustering and associative word analysis to examine visitor perceptions. Three main themes emerged: Family & Recreation, Natural Scenery & Greenery, and Crowds & Urban Activity. The analysis revealed both distinctive park identities and common commercial features, such as restaurants and ticketed facilities. Clustering highlighted a spectrum of park experiences, from natural, low‐commercial spaces to highly commercialised, family‐focused destinations. Findings show that commercialisation not only enhances attractiveness and recreational opportunities but also affects accessibility and place identity. This research provides a framework for understanding visitor perceptions and supports sustainable and inclusive park management in urban contexts of the Global South.