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Topographical variation is hypothesized to directly and indirectly influence social value orientations (SVOs) through the two channels of physical environment and urbanization. To examine the effects of topography on SVOs in urbanization, we conduct field surveys in mountainous, hilly and plains areas of Beijing, collecting sociodemographic information and SVOs. Our results demonstrate that higher proportions of proself people are found in plains and hilly areas than in mountainous areas, reflecting topographical differences in people's SVOs. Overall, our results suggest that a new social mechanism is necessary to direct people's social preferences toward prosociality when more people live in plains and hilly areas; otherwise, important social issues, such as air pollution, which require cooperation for solutions, might pose a danger in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]