IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i12p5544-d1680155.html

Evaluation of the Narrative Value and Experiential Quality of Urban Trails: A Case Study of the Southwest Regional Trail in Chongqing, China

Author

Listed:
  • Zhongde Wang

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
    Key Laboratory of New Technology for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China)

  • Yuhan Liu

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China)

  • Ling Yang

    (School of Arts, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China)

  • Fanwei Meng

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China)

Abstract

Urban trails, as vital urban spaces that integrate historical context with contemporary life, play a central role in the rise of deep tourism and the “City Walk” phenomenon. Their spatial legibility positions them as distinctive narrative media, serving as a key channel for promoting urban sustainable development and enhancing citizens’ sense of well-being. However, existing research has yet to establish a comprehensive and systematic framework for evaluating the “spatial narrative” of urban trail systems. This study proposes a dual-perspective quantitative framework for evaluating a spatial narrative, combining objective spatial dimensions with human experiential data to identify strengths and potentials for improvement. The Southwest Regional Trail in Chongqing (comprising the Zhongshan Fourth Road Section, People’s Assembly Hall Section, and Datianwan Section) was used as a case study. First, multi-source spatial data were analyzed via space syntax and ArcGIS to evaluate narrative value from an objective spatial perspective. Next, in-depth questionnaire interviews were conducted to collect subjective data, which were analyzed in SPSS to produce a structured analysis of participant feedback. The findings indicate that (1) Among the three sections of the Southwest Regional Trail, the narrative potential zones rank highest in the Zhongshan Fourth Road Section, followed by the People’s Assembly Hall Section and the Datianwan Section. (2) Urban trails characterized by rich narrative themes and cultural activities are more attractive to visitors. (3) The qualities of narrative symbols, routes, and educational elements are the key factors that specifically influence visitors’ satisfaction with the narrative experience on urban trails. Based on these results, we propose targeted planning and design recommendations for the Southwest Regional Trail. The evaluation methodology and process proposed in this study can provide references for design professionals and relevant urban development departments in conducting spatial narrative quantitative evaluations and optimizing sustainability place-making strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhongde Wang & Yuhan Liu & Ling Yang & Fanwei Meng, 2025. "Evaluation of the Narrative Value and Experiential Quality of Urban Trails: A Case Study of the Southwest Regional Trail in Chongqing, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5544-:d:1680155
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5544/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5544/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bhandari, Kalyan, 2019. "Tourism and the geopolitics of Buddhist heritage in Nepal," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 58-69.
    2. Thomas Panagopoulos & Stilianos Tampakis & Paraskevi Karanikola & Aikaterini Karipidou-Kanari & Apostolos Kantartzis, 2018. "The Usage and Perception of Pedestrian and Cycling Streets on Residents’ Well-being in Kalamaria, Greece," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Hui Tao & Yingzheng Wen & Min Liu & Yuruo Wu, 2025. "Industrial Heritage Protection from the Perspective of Spatial Narrative," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Adam Senetra & Piotr Dynowski & Iwona Cieślak & Anna Źróbek-Sokolnik, 2020. "An Evaluation of the Impact of Hiking Tourism on the Ecological Status of Alpine Lakes—A Case Study of the Valley of Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich in the Tatra Mountains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Zhou, Long & Li, Yixin & Cheng, Jialin & Qin, Yu & Shen, Guoqiang & Li, Bin & Yang, Huajie & Li, Sihong, 2023. "Understanding the aesthetic perceptions and image impressions experienced by tourists walking along tourism trails through continuous cityscapes in Macau," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    6. Hadining Kusumastuti & Diaz Pranita & Mila Viendyasari & Mohamad Sattar Rasul & Sri Sarjana, 2024. "Leveraging Local Value in a Post-Smart Tourism Village to Encourage Sustainable Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-27, January.
    7. Mansoureh Gholami & Daniele Torreggiani & Patrizia Tassinari & Alberto Barbaresi, 2022. "Developing a 3D City Digital Twin: Enhancing Walkability through a Green Pedestrian Network (GPN) in the City of Imola, Italy," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, October.
    8. Hao Lei & Youmei Zhou, 2022. "Conducting Heritage Tourism-Led Urban Renewal in Chinese Historical and Cultural Urban Spaces: A Case Study of Datong," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-23, November.
    9. Sumin Lee & Won Ji Chung & Chul Jeong, 2024. "Exploring Sentiment Analysis and Visitor Satisfaction along Urban Liner Trails: A Case of the Seoul Trail, South Korea," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, August.
    10. Zhicheng Zhang & Hongjuan Zhang & Juan Feng & Yirong Wang & Kang Liu, 2021. "Evaluation of Social Values for Ecosystem Services in Urban Riverfront Space Based on the SolVES Model: A Case Study of the Fenghe River, Xi’an, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-26, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yuliang Li & Ran Yi & Lin Liu & Feng Chen, 2023. "Sustainable Ecosystem Services of a Time-Honored Artificial River Ecosystem—Enlightenments from the Carp Brook, in Northern Fujian Province, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Richard Smardon, 2020. "Thomas Panagopoulos. Landscape urbanism and green infrastructure," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 10(2), pages 208-209, June.
    3. Nandini Halder & Manoj Kumar & Akshay Deepak & Shailendra K. Mandal & Amjad Azmeer & Basit A. Mir & Anissa Nurdiawati & Sami G. Al-Ghamdi, 2025. "The Role of Urban Greenery in Enhancing Thermal Comfort: Systematic Review Insights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-30, March.
    4. Stoffelen, Arie, 2024. "A REVIEW OF TOURISM AND BORDERING PROCESSES: Launching the Annals of Tourism Research Curated Collection on tourism and territorial borders," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    5. Jaffar Aman & Jaffar Abbas & Shahid Mahmood & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Shaher Bano, 2019. "The Influence of Islamic Religiosity on the Perceived Socio-Cultural Impact of Sustainable Tourism Development in Pakistan: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-27, May.
    6. repec:ers:journl:v:xxiv:y:2021:i:3:p:560-575 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Li Li & Yongjian Wu & Jin Zhang, 2025. "Bridging Heritage Conservation and Urban Sustainability: A Multidimensional Coupling Framework for Walkability, Greening, and Cultural Heritage in the Historic City of Shenyang," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
    8. Piotr Dynowski & Anna Zrobek-Sokolnik & Izabela Jablonska-Barna, 2021. "Determining the Range of Influence of Tourist Trails Users on Naturally Valuable Areas: A Proposal of a Method and a Practical Example," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3 - Part ), pages 560-575.
    9. Peng Zhang & Huize Ren & Xiaobin Dong & Xuechao Wang & Mengxue Liu & Ying Zhang & Yufang Zhang & Jiuming Huang & Shuheng Dong & Ruiming Xiao, 2023. "Understanding and Applications of Tensors in Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of the Manas River Basin," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-23, February.
    10. Jiajia Zhao & Qian Bao & Kaiqi Wei & Euitay Jung, 2024. "Evaluation of the Performance and Sustainability of Historical Cultural Symbols in Xuzhou’s City Brand Based on Grey System Theory and Fuzzy Evaluation Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-27, November.
    11. Vera Ferreira & Ana Paula Barreira & Luís Loures & Dulce Antunes & Thomas Panagopoulos, 2020. "Stakeholders’ Engagement on Nature-Based Solutions: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-27, January.
    12. Zhe Wang & Lawal Marafa, 2021. "Tourism Imaginary and Landscape at Heritage Site: A Case in Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-21, April.
    13. Fahimeh Mofrad & Maria Ignatieva, 2022. "What Is the Future of the Bush Capital? A Socio-Ecological Approach to Enhancing Canberra’s Green Infrastructure," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-20, December.
    14. Lankyung Kim & Chul Jeong, 2025. "Linking Walkable Urbanism and Hiking Tourism in a Mountainous Metropolitan City," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, September.
    15. Boqing Fan & Jia Gu & Shucheng Ai & Xi Chen & Siying Du & Yuning Cheng, 2024. "Digital Characteristics of Spatial Layout in Urban Park Scene Space: Spatial Classification, Quantitative Indicators, and Design Applications Based on Completed Park Cases," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-28, December.
    16. Fazlur Rahman & Noraslinda Abdul Rahman & Adiba Shafique & Abdul Ahad & Amrit Shukla, 2025. "Urban Regeneration and Heritage Tourism: A Bibliometric Analysis Over Three Decade," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(6), pages 4239-4262, June.
    17. Junchao JIANG & Cailing LI & Leting LYU & Defeng ZHENG & Yanhui HU, 2025. "Social valuation of urban ecosystem services using the SolVES model: a case study of Dalian City," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    18. Ayuan Zhang & Ban Zhang & Yongjie Zhu, 2025. "Determinants of Technology Adoption in Tourism: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(4), pages 21582440251, October.
    19. Rui Zhou & Yanan Zhou & Weiwei Zhu & Li Feng & Lumeng Liu, 2025. "Projecting Water Yield Amidst Rapid Urbanization: A Case Study of the Taihu Lake Basin," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-22, January.
    20. Bingbing Hu & Shiyuan Zhou & Pingjia Luo & Hao Chen, 2024. "Assessment of Habitat Services and Gradient Zoning Optimization in Coal Mining Subsidence Areas from a Social–Ecological Coupling Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-24, December.
    21. Gregory Fayard, 2024. "The geopolitics of outbound travel: Theorizing outgoing tourism as state strategy," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 42(5), pages 881-900, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5544-:d:1680155. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.