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Sustainable Urban Landscape Quality: A User-Perception Framework for Public Space Assessment and Development

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  • Yanyan Huang

    (School of Civil Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Lanxin Ye

    (School of Civil Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

  • Ye Chen

    (School of Civil Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China)

Abstract

With rapid urbanization, enhancing the quality of public spaces is critical to residents’ well-being and sustainable urban development. However, user perceptions of these spaces remain insufficiently quantified. This study introduces a perception-based evaluation framework encompassing four dimensions: service, spatial, cultural, and aesthetic. A three-dimensional importance-performance analysis (3-D IPA) model is applied to assess two multifunctional public spaces in Wuhan—the Citizens’ Home (CH) and the Creative World Industrial Park (CWIP)—with the aim of identifying user-prioritized attributes that inform sustainable design interventions. The findings reveal the following: (1) At CH, spatial perception (importance = 3.93; performance = 4.02) received the highest ratings, particularly for openness and ecological pavement, highlighting areas for green infrastructure improvement. (2) At CWIP, cultural perception (importance = 3.75; performance = 3.73) dominated, with a need to enhance the signage systems and cultural integration for greater place identity. (3) Optimization priorities included energy-efficient lighting, entrance enhancements, and recreational layout improvements at CH, and thematic diversity and wayfinding systems at CWIP. (4) The 3-D IPA framework effectively identifies user-perceived priorities and supports experience-driven, resource-conscious spatial improvements. This study provides a user-centered, data-informed approach for evaluating and optimizing urban public spaces, offering practical strategies to align spatial quality with long-term sustainability goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanyan Huang & Lanxin Ye & Ye Chen, 2025. "Sustainable Urban Landscape Quality: A User-Perception Framework for Public Space Assessment and Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:3992-:d:1645132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Philip Stessens & Frank Canters & Marijke Huysmans & Ahmed Z. Khan, 2020. "Urban green space qualities: An integrated approach towards GIS-based assessment reflecting user perception," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/298795, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Stessens, Philip & Canters, Frank & Huysmans, Marijke & Khan, Ahmed Z., 2020. "Urban green space qualities: An integrated approach towards GIS-based assessment reflecting user perception," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    5. Siyu Jiang & Jiang Liu, 2024. "Comparative Study of Cultural Landscape Perception in Historic Districts from the Perspectives of Tourists and Residents," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, March.
    6. Kyu-Chul Lee & Yong-Hoon Son, 2017. "Exploring Landscape Perceptions of Bukhansan National Park According to the Degree of Visitors’ Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-27, July.
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