Objective  Existing methods for creating close-to-nature forest landscapes lack control over the spatial structure of communities at the design stage restricted the benefits of urban forest construction. We can use the community spatial structure generation mechanism based on neighbor interactions to establish a design algorithm, realizing parametric design of near-natural forest spatial structure.

  Method  We built a design competition index (DCI) based on the crown competition index as an optimization rule for the spatial structure of close-to-nature forest. We used this rule to develop a design algorithm that included two modules: pre-distribution of plant habitat suitability, and iterative optimization of spatial structure. We applied this algorithm to a site in the Qinglong Lake Park in Beijing, referencing the characteristics of natural forest communities in the hilly areas of Beijing to verify its feasibility.

  Result  In the application scenario, this algorithm can reduce the DCI among plants through the optimization rule, optimize the spatial structure, and generate a plant distribution plan conforming to the characteristics of close-to-nature forest landscapes according to preset tree species types, suitability and proportion.

  Conclusion  This algorithm can generate a design community conforming to the spatial structure characteristics of close-to-nature forest communities. It can serve as an auxiliary design method for generating the spatial structure of close-to-nature forest landscapes. However, it needs to be further optimized according to close-to-nature forest indicators, accumulate feature parameters of close-to-nature forest plant species, morphological features and suitability, and improve the simulation degree of this algorithm for close-to-nature forest communities.