Study on Factors Influencing Residents’ Participation in Public Space Improvement Projects for Sustainable Built Environment

Abstract

With the rapid pace of urbanization, the public-interest renovation of community spaces has emerged as a critical focus in urban planning and community development. These public spaces not only support residents’ daily activities, social interactions, and cultural endeavors but also play a vital role in shaping their quality of life and fostering community cohesion. The willingness of residents to participate in such renovation projects significantly impacts the effectiveness and success of these initiatives. This study offers a comprehensive review of both domestic and international literature, synthesizing insights from behavioral science and social psychology. It identifies four key categories of factors that influence residents’ willingness to engage in public-interest renovation efforts: external environment, project attributes, residents’ subjective perceptions, and demographic characteristics. Based on this framework, sixteen secondary indicators were selected to construct a model explaining these factors. Drawing on established measurement scales and expert interviews, a survey instrument was developed for data collection. The data, gathered through questionnaire surveys, were analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the study hypotheses. The results revealed several significant findings: Among demographic factors, age, household size, and family structure were the primary differentiators of participation willingness. In terms of project attributes, comfort, openness, and sensory appeal were found to positively influence participation. External environmental factors, including policies, social atmosphere, and available information, indirectly impacted participation through residents’ perceptions. Furthermore, residents’ subjective perceptions, such as perceived usefulness and overall attitude, had direct positive effects on their willingness to participate. These findings contribute valuable insights to the field of urban sustainable development and the long-term viability of community spaces. They also provide actionable recommendations for community managers to develop targeted renovation and governance strategies that effectively engage residents.

1. Introduction

Against the backdrop of the “new normal” in economic development, China’s urban construction has progressively shifted from a focus on incremental expansion to enhancing the quality of existing urban stock [1]. The renewal and revitalization of community public spaces have emerged as critical issues for promoting sustainable urban development [2]. At the heart of a sustainable city lies not only the improvement of infrastructure but also the optimization of community functions, with a focus on advancing social progress through the effective utilization of existing spaces [3]. Community public spaces, as a vital component of urban spatial renewal, play a central role in enhancing residents’ quality of life, fostering community identity, and promoting social integration. These spaces are also instrumental in achieving broader goals related to resource conservation and environmental protection [4,5]. In recent years, public-benefit renovation projects targeting underutilized or vacant spaces have gained significant momentum [6]. By integrating community resources and mobilizing social forces, these initiatives aim to improve spatial environments and elevate overall community quality, contributing to the city’s social, economic, and environmental sustainability. However, the success and effectiveness of such projects depend heavily on the active participation of residents [7,8], The level of resident engagement directly influences the appropriateness, execution, and long-term sustainability of spatial transformations. Therefore, systematically identifying the key factors that influence residents’ willingness to participate, as well as understanding the mechanisms underlying their engagement, is of significant theoretical and practical importance, especially in the context of advancing social sustainability. It should be noted that in this study, “public welfare renovation” and “public space improvement” are used interchangeably to refer to projects aimed at enhancing residents’ quality of life through the improvement of community public spaces. In contrast, urban renewal is a broader concept that encompasses updates in various areas, including housing, infrastructure, and commercial functions, while this study focuses specifically on the public welfare renovation of community public spaces.

Research on residents’ willingness to participate in public-interest renovation projects for community public spaces remains inconclusive within the academic community. Existing studies have examined the role of resident participation in sustainable development through various lenses, such as empowerment mechanisms, governance structures, and social capital. For example, ALIREZA et al. emphasize that resident participation is crucial for the successful progression of regional development planning [9]; PINHRIRO et al. highlight that multi-stakeholder collaboration is a key pathway to establishing modern community governance systems [10]. Veitch et al. explored the social networks and trust mechanisms that underlie residents’ participatory behaviors, drawing on social capital theory [11]. Scherer et al. identified four key elements of community public spaces: materiality, agency, publicness, and sociality [12]. Many countries gather feedback through mechanisms such as focus groups. However, residents often have differing attitudes due to the conflict between short-term and long-term development goals. Short-term thinkers tend to reject projects that offer no immediate benefits, while long-term thinkers place greater value on long-term outcomes. However, most current research focuses on specific governance structures or design technologies, overlooking the social psychological factors that influence residents’ participation motivation [13]. This study fills this research gap by integrating perspectives from behavioral science and social psychology, offering a detailed analysis of how external environment, residents’ subjective perceptions, and project attributes collectively influence residents’ willingness to participate, especially in the context of aging communities.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encompass 17 objectives designed to tackle critical global challenges, including poverty, inequality, and climate change, through international cooperation [14]. These goals were formally adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the aim of driving meaningful progress across the global community over the following 15 years. This article is closely aligned with Goal 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities—whose core objective is to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements [15]. Specifically, it emphasizes strategies such as optimizing urban planning, upgrading infrastructure, improving housing conditions, and advancing environmental protection and social equity. These efforts ensure that all residents—especially vulnerable groups—have equal access to high-quality living standards, social opportunities, and economic benefits. Through these initiatives, the goal is to create livable, vibrant, and sustainable urban environments, ultimately promoting social harmony and ecological balance on a global scale.

Therefore, this study focuses on public welfare renovation of community public spaces and develops a path model for residents’ willingness to participate. By integrating perspectives from behavioral science and social psychology, this study offers a new theoretical framework, filling the gap in considering local culture, community structure, and residents’ subjective perceptions. By identifying the factors influencing residents’ willingness to participate, designing a scale, conducting field surveys, and using structural equation modeling to empirically test the path hypotheses, this study provides valuable insights into the issue. The practical significance of this study lies in providing concrete guidance for resident participation strategies in urban renewal projects, especially in optimizing public space renovation, enhancing residents’ participation, and improving renewal efficiency, thus offering decision-making support for community management and policymakers. The study primarily explores the main factors influencing residents’ participation and how optimizing participation mechanisms can improve the renewal efficiency of public welfare renovation in community spaces.

2. Literature Review and Research Hypotheses

2.1. Community Public Space Public Benefit Renovation Project

Community public spaces refer to physical areas within urban communities that are freely accessible for movement, interaction, and activities, created based on residents’ shared property rights and daily living needs [16,17]. Existing research highlights that community public spaces serve both material and social functions. Materially, they include areas such as building corridors, stairwells, community plazas, green spaces, roads, and parking lots, all of which have clearly defined physical boundaries and tangible existence [18]. Socially, these spaces function as essential platforms for residents to engage in social interactions, build collective identity, and exercise their spatial rights and public participation [19]. In summary, community public spaces are crucial venues that support residents’ daily lives, foster social connections, and enhance the effectiveness of grassroots urban governance.

Public welfare renovation projects refer to non-profit construction or service activities that consolidate resources from governments or social organizations to benefit specific groups or the general public [20], with the primary objective of advancing social public interests [21]. From the perspectives of engineering management and public services, these projects are characterized by their service orientation, social nature, and non-profit status. Scholars such as Lu Ning classify them into two types: free-of-charge (e.g., parks, public roads) and fee-based (e.g., public hospitals, schools) [22]. SAEEDI emphasizes their investment attributes, noting that they are government-led and socially beneficial, which clearly distinguishes their objectives from those of for-profit commercial projects [23]. This paper defines public welfare projects as community-focused, non-profit engineering construction and renovation initiatives that mobilize government and social resources to promote community development and revitalization.

2.2. Residents’ Willingness to Participate

Resident participation willingness refers to the positive psychological disposition among residents to engage in community organizations and express their opinions equitably during the public-interest renovation of community public spaces [24]. This disposition arises from their subjective perceptions and value judgments concerning the renovation initiatives [25]. The concept is rooted in the development of “resident participation” theory, which underscores the central role of residents and their collaborative responsibilities in community governance [26]. Unlike actual participation behavior, participation willingness is more an internal motivation that precedes action. It is characterized by subjectivity, goal-orientation, and expressiveness, serving as a critical psychological foundation for fostering residents’ practical engagement [27].

3. Research and Methods

3.1. Research Hypotheses

Existing research on the factors influencing residents’ willingness to participate has explored various perspectives, including empowerment mechanisms, governance structures, and social capital; however, it often lacks systematic coherence. This study, grounded in a literature review and theories from behavioral science and social psychology, and contextualized within the specific setting of community public space public-benefit renovation projects, identifies four primary dimensions that affect residents’ participation willingness: external environment, residents’ subjective cognition, project attributes, and demographic characteristics. Empirical studies on urban renewal and community governance have confirmed the significant impact of institutional environments, project characteristics, and individual psychological factors on participation willingness. At the same time, classic research in behavioral science and social psychology shows that individual behavior is shaped by the combined influence of external conditions, internal cognition, and objective attributes. Moreover, given the disparities among different demographic groups, these variables are commonly incorporated into analyses.

Therefore, This study extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework by incorporating additional variables such as external environment, project attributes, and policy support. In the TAM framework, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are considered the core factors influencing individual behavioral intentions. However, existing literature suggests that the external environment (e.g., government policies and social atmosphere) and project attributes (e.g., comfort, openness) also significantly influence individual participation willingness in specific contexts. Specifically, the external environment is believed to indirectly affect participation willingness by influencing perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use [28]. Relevant literature indicates that government support and social atmosphere are key external factors influencing individual technology acceptance. Project attributes (e.g., comfort, openness) directly influence residents’ willingness to participate. This study constructs a more comprehensive TAM based on these extended variables, aiming to clarify the causal relationships and pathways through which these variables affect residents’ willingness to participate.

3.1.1. Analysis of Project Attributes Factors

In public welfare community public space renovation projects, comfort, openness, and sensory appeal are key attributes that shape residents’ willingness to participate. These factors influence participation through residents’ cognitive evaluations and emotional responses.

Comfort represents the most basic spatial requirement. When improvements in infrastructure, convenience, and safety are perceived, residents form positive evaluations that enhance their sense of security and belonging [29]. Such perceptions increase satisfaction with the living environment and motivate residents to participate in maintaining and improving community spaces. From the above rationale, the following hypothesis emerges:

H1: 

Comfort has a direct, positive impact on residents’ willingness to participate.

Openness reflects the spatial integration and accessibility of community public spaces. Open and shared spaces promote social interaction, resource sharing, and collective engagement [30]. When residents perceive higher openness, they experience stronger social connection and community identity, which increases their motivation to participate [31]. The preceding analysis leads to the following hypothesis:

H2: 

Openness has a direct and positive impact on residents’ willingness to participate.

Sensory appeal concerns residents’ perceptual and emotional experiences. Aesthetic and multisensory designs—such as plant arrangements, color harmony, and material texture—enhance spatial satisfaction and emotional attachment [32]. These emotional bonds strengthen residents’ identification with the space and encourage active participation. Therefore, we propose the following hypothesis:

H3: 

Sensory appeal has a direct and positive impact on residents’ willingness to participate.

3.1.2. Analysis of External Environmental Factors

In public welfare community public space renovation projects, external environmental factors shape residents’ cognitive evaluations and behavioral intentions by influencing how they perceive the usefulness, ease, and reliability of participation. These external stimuli guide residents’ internal judgments, thereby affecting their willingness to engage in community activities.

Policy factors serve as a primary institutional driver. Government incentives, regulations, and resource allocations create a structured environment that signals the legitimacy and practicality of participation [33,34]. When residents perceive supportive policies—such as subsidies, recognition, or transparent governance—they tend to evaluate participation as more useful, efficient, and trustworthy. Clear policy direction reduces uncertainty and perceived difficulty, thereby enhancing residents’ confidence in the value and feasibility of participation. Therefore, the following hypotheses are proposed:

H4: 

Policy factors exert a positive influence on residents’ perceived usefulness of participation.

H5: 

Policy factors exert a positive influence on residents’ perceived ease of use of participation.

H6: 

Policy factors exert a positive influence on residents’ trust in participation.

Social atmosphere reflects the shared behavioral norms and interpersonal dynamics within the community. When a cooperative and participatory social environment is present, residents are likely to interpret participation as socially endorsed and collectively meaningful [35]. Under the influence of social observation and conformity mechanisms, individuals tend to align their judgments with perceived group norms [3]. A positive social climate thus reinforces perceptions of usefulness, reduces psychological barriers to participation, and strengthens mutual trust among residents. Accordingly, the subsequent hypotheses are posited:

H7: 

Social atmosphere exerts a positive influence on residents’ perceived usefulness of participation.

H8: 

Social atmosphere has a positive effect on perceived ease of use of resident participation.

H9: 

Social atmosphere has a positive effect on perceived trustworthiness of resident participation.

Information factors encompass the quality, framing, and feedback of information shared during renovation processes. Transparent and positively framed communication strengthens residents’ understanding of project benefits and enhances perceived competence in participation [36]. Regular feedback mechanisms build cognitive clarity and emotional trust, enabling residents to view participation as both effective and reliable. Thus, information dissemination not only improves perceived usefulness and ease of participation but also deepens residents’ trust in the project’s outcomes. Based on the above theoretical reasoning, the following hypotheses are advanced:

H10: 

Information factors have a positive effect on perceived usefulness of resident participation.

H11: 

Information factors have a positive effect on perceived ease of use of resident participation.

H12: 

Information factors have a positive effect on perceived trustworthiness of resident participation.

3.1.3. Analysis of Residents’ Subjective Perception Factors

Residents’ subjective perceptions primarily encompass perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, and attitude, which together constitute the internal cognitive mechanism shaping their willingness to participate in community public space renovation projects.

Perceived usefulness reflects residents’ subjective judgment of the extent to which participation in renovation projects can improve their living environment and enhance community well-being [37]. According to the Technology Acceptance Model [38], ndividuals who recognize the practical value and benefits of participation are more likely to develop favorable attitudes and stronger behavioral intentions [39]. In this context, residents who perceive the outcomes of renovation as beneficial tend to exhibit a more positive attitude and a higher willingness to engage [40]. Accordingly, the following hypotheses are proposed:

H13: 

Residents’ perceived usefulness has a positive effect on their participation attitude.

H14: 

Residents’ perceived usefulness has a positive effect on their participation willingness.

Perceived ease of use refers to residents’ assessment of the degree of effort or complexity involved in engaging with renovation projects. When participation is perceived as simple, transparent, and efficient, residents experience lower cognitive barriers and greater behavioral control [41]. A high level of perceived ease of use also enhances perceived usefulness, as individuals tend to view accessible activities as more valuable. Furthermore, reduced effort perception fosters more favorable attitudes toward participation [42]. Drawing upon this reasoning, the following hypotheses are formulated:

H15: 

Residents’ perceived ease of use has a positive effect on their perceived usefulness of participation.

H16: 

Residents’ perceived ease of use has a positive effect on their attitude toward renovation participation.

Trust captures residents’ confidence in the intentions and competencies of stakeholders such as government agencies, developers, and community organizations [22]. When residents believe these actors operate transparently and prioritize public interests, their sense of risk and uncertainty is reduced, which strengthens positive emotional and cognitive responses toward participation. Based on this theoretical argument, the following hypothesis is advanced:

H17: 

Residents’ trust level has a positive effect on their attitude toward renovation participation.

Attitude, integrating cognitive and affective evaluations, represents residents’ overall psychological disposition toward participation behavior. As posited in behavioral intention theory, attitude directly determines the likelihood of behavioral engagement. When residents maintain positive attitudes—arising from perceptions of usefulness, ease, and trust—they are more likely to translate these perceptions into active participation. Consequently, the following hypothesis is put forward:

H18: 

Resident attitudes exert a positive influence on residents’ willingness to participate.

3.1.4. Analysis of Demographic Factors

Demographic factors play a vital role in shaping residents’ behavioral intentions and willingness to participate in public-interest renovation projects for community public spaces [43]. Differences in gender, age, education, family structure, income, and housing type often lead to variations in value perception, resource accessibility, and participation motivation [44,45]. These attributes influence individuals’ cognitive evaluation of renovation projects and their perceived ability or responsibility to engage in collective actions.

Gender differences may lead to varying levels of concern and engagement in community improvement. Males may emphasize functional and managerial aspects of public spaces, while females often exhibit higher sensitivity toward environmental quality and neighborhood interaction. These behavioral and perceptual distinctions can result in different participation intentions. Accordingly, the following hypothesis is proposed:

H19: 

Significant differences exist in residents’ willingness to participate based on gender.

Age is another critical factor influencing participation behavior. Younger residents may be more open to change and innovation, while older residents, having stronger place attachment and long-term residence experience, may demonstrate higher emotional involvement but lower action willingness due to physical or habitual constraints. Drawing upon this reasoning, the following hypothesis is formulated:

H20: 

Significant differences exist in residents’ willingness to participate based on age.

Educational attainment affects individuals’ understanding of public affairs and their perceived responsibility toward collective welfare. Residents with higher education levels generally possess stronger environmental awareness, civic responsibility, and self-efficacy, leading to higher willingness to engage in renovation projects. Based on this theoretical perspective, the following hypothesis is advanced:

H21: 

Significant differences exist in participation willingness based on residents’ educational attainment.

Household size and structure determine social roles and intergenerational needs, which in turn affect participation motives. Larger or multi-generational households may exhibit stronger demands for shared space quality, motivating greater engagement, whereas smaller households might prioritize private comfort over communal benefits. Accordingly, the following hypothesis is proposed:

H22: 

Significant differences exist in participation willingness based on household size and structure.

Household income shapes residents’ ability and perceived obligation to participate. Higher-income families may possess more resources and social capital to support community initiatives, while lower-income groups may emphasize immediate economic considerations over long-term public benefits. On this basis, the following hypothesis is suggested:

H23: 

Significant differences exist in participation willingness based on household income.

Finally, housing type reflects both tenure security and social identity, which influences residents’ sense of belonging and perceived responsibility. Homeowners are generally more motivated to participate in community improvements than tenants, as they have a long-term vested interest in property and environmental quality. Consequently, the following hypothesis is put forward:

H24: 

Significant differences exist in participation willingness based on household type.

3.2. Conceptual Model Construction

Based on the identification of factors influencing residents’ willingness to participate and the research hypotheses outlined above, a conceptual model of residents’ willingness to engage in public-interest community public space renovation projects has been developed, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. A conceptual model of residents’ willingness to participate in public welfare renovation projects of community public Spaces.

3.3. Questionnaire Survey

The questionnaire used in this study draws on established scales from prior research and covers four key dimensions influencing residents’ willingness to participate [18,46] (See the attached Supplementary Materials for details). A five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) was adopted to measure residents’ willingness to participate and its associated factors. The scale was designed based on theories from behavioral science and social psychology to ensure measurement reliability and validity. During the translation process, a back-translation procedure was employed, with two professional translators conducting independent translations to ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural appropriateness. In addition, a small-scale pilot test was conducted with 20 residents to evaluate the questionnaire’s clarity and validity. Based on their feedback, the instrument was further refined. To reduce Common Method Bias (CMB) during data collection, we employed a time-lagged design and measured different types of variables separately. We also included control variables—such as age, gender, and education level—to further account for potential sources of bias.

3.4. Sample and Data Collection

This study employed a judgmental sampling method to select target samples from community residents in a specific city. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed through a combination of online and offline methods, with 362 valid responses collected, yielding a response rate of 90.5%. The survey period lasted for one month, and the respondents were residents of the city, ensuring geographical diversity in the sample. The inclusion criteria were residents aged 18 and above, living in the city, to ensure data representativeness. These measures ensured that the sample was representative and that the research conclusions could be generalized within a certain scope. The sample consisted of approximately 48.62% male residents and 51.38% female residents; 43.92% of residents had a college or undergraduate degree; 30.66% of residents were aged 31–40. In terms of family size and structure, the majority of respondents were from three- or four-person households, making up 69.06%; 33.15% of residents had a monthly income between 5000 and 8000. Regarding household type, the vast majority were actual residents, accounting for 78.73%. From the sample statistics, the distribution of the sample exhibits a certain degree of uniformity and representativeness. See Table 1 below for details.

Table 1. Sample statistics of the formal survey questionnaire.

Basic Characteristics	Category	Frequency	Percentage
Gender	Male	176	48.62%
	Female	186	51.38%
Age	30 years and below	50	13.81%
	31–40 years	111	30.66%
	41–50 years	94	25.97%
	51–60 years	71	19.61%
	61 years and above	36	9.94%
Education Level	Junior High School and below	48	13.26%
	Vocational School or High School	102	28.18%
	Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree	159	43.92%
	Graduate or above	53	14.64%
Occupation	Public Servants (Government and Public Institutions)	25	6.91%
	Worker or Service Industry	59	16.30%
	Professional and Technical Personnel (Doctors, Teachers, etc.)	41	11.33%
	State-Owned Enterprise Employees	43	11.88%
	Private Enterprise Employees	43	11.88%
	Self-Employed	48	13.26%
	Freelance or Unemployed	29	8.01%
	Other	74	20.44%
Household Size and Structure	Living Alone	33	9.12%
	Two-Person Household	51	14.09%
	Three or Four-Person Household	250	69.06%
	Three Generations Under One Roof	28	7.73%
Monthly Income Range	No Income	41	11.33%
	2000 and below	32	8.84%
	2000–5000	124	34.25%
	5000–8000	120	33.15%
	8000 and above	45	12.43%
Household Type	Owner Occupier	285	78.73%
	Tenant	77	21.27%

4. Result

4.1. Reliability Analysis of Observed Data

The questionnaire initially contained 44 items. After considering the results of reliability testing, two items were deleted. Following this deletion, the reliability and validity tests of the remaining items met all requirements, resulting in a final survey scale of 42 items. This study utilized Cronbach’s alpha to assess the reliability of the scale. The results indicate that the alpha reliability coefficients for each latent variable exceeded 0.8, with the overall scale reliability coefficient reaching 0.902. Additionally, the Cronbach’s alpha values after item deletion were consistently lower than the corresponding latent variable’s alpha values (see Table 2), further demonstrating the high reliability of the questionnaire scale.

Table 2. Reliability test results.

Latent Variable	Observed Variables	Cronbach’s α After Item Deletion	Cronbach’s α	Number of Items
Comfort (A1)	A11	0.902	0.912	3
	A12	0.869
	A13	0.883
Openness (A2)	A21	0.872	0.874	3
	A22	0.863
	A23	0.852
Sensuality (A3)	A31	0.925	0.939	4
	A32	0.903
	A33	0.911
	A34	0.899
Policy factors (B1)	B11	0.876	0.884	3
	B12	0.872
	B13	0.855
Social atmosphere (B2)	B21	0.911	0.942	4
	B22	0.924
	B23	0.936
	B24	0.903
Information factor (B3)	B31	0.918	0.923	4
	B32	0.912
	B33	0.876
	B34	0.891
Perceived Usefulness (C1)	C11	0.911	0.918	5
	C12	0.88
	C13	0.863
	C14	0.902
	C15	0.874
Perceived Usability (C2)	C21	0.936	0.949	5
	C22	0.94
	C23	0.933
	C24	0.921
	C25	0.898	0.949	5
Trustworthiness (C3)	C31	0.912	0.913	5
	C32	0.909
	C33	0.878
	C34	0.862
	C35	0.901
Attitude (C4)	C41	0.86	0.899	3
	C42	0.876
	C43	0.859
willingness to participate (D)	D1	0.889	0.892	3
	D2	0.872
	D3	0.89
Overall Scale			0.902	42

4.2. Analysis of Observed Data Validity

The rotated component matrix reveals the loadings of each latent variable on different factors, as shown in Table 3. As shown in the table, perceived ease of use (C21, C22, C23, C24, C25) has high loadings on Factor 1; social atmosphere (B21, B22, B23, B24) has high loadings on Factor 2; sensory appeal (A31, A32, A33, A34) has high loadings on Factor 3; information factors (B31, B32, B33, B34) have high loadings on Factor 4; perceived usefulness (C11, C12, C13, C14, C15) has high loadings on Factor 5; willingness (D1, D2, D3) has high loadings on Factor 6; trust (C31, C32, C33, C34, C35) has high loadings on Factor 7; attitude (C41, C42, C43) has high loadings on Factor 8; comfort (A11, A12, A13) has high loadings on Factor 9; policy factors (B11, B12, B13) have high loadings on Factor 10; and openness (A21, A22, A23) has high loadings on Factor 11. Additionally, the loading coefficients for the above-mentioned observed variables on their respective factors are all greater than 0.5, indicating that the discriminant validity and convergent validity of the official questionnaire scale are good.

Table 3. Rotated Component Matrix.

Items	Components
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Perceived Ease of Use C25	0.955
Perceived Ease of Use C24	0.917
Perceived Ease of Use C22	0.912
Perceived Ease of Use C23	0.890
Perceived Ease of Use C21	0.887
Social Atmosphere B22		0.873
Social Atmosphere B23		0.858
Social Atmosphere B21		0.805
Social Atmosphere B24		0.750
Sensory Appeal A34			0.967
Sensory Appeal A33			0.905
Sensory Appeal A31			0.903
Sensory Appeal A32			0.901
Information Factor B33				0.858
Information Factor B34				0.851
Information Factor B31				0.847
Information Factor B32				0.770
Perceived Usefulness C13					0.878
Perceived Usefulness C12					0.816
Perceived Usefulness C11					0.797
Perceived Usefulness C15					0.774
Perceived Usefulness C14					0.771
Willingness to participate D2						0.892
Willingness to participate D3						0.886
Willingness to participate D1						0.848
Trust C31							0.863
Trust C32							0.858
Trust C33							0.795
Trust C34							0.792
Trust C35							0.761
Attitude C41								0.920
Attitude C42								0.848
Attitude C43								0.845
Comfort A13									0.929
Comfort A12									0.879
Comfort A11									0.872
Policy Factor B13										0.909
Policy Factor B11										0.886
Policy Factor B12										0.869
Openness A22											0.913
Openness A23											0.906

This study employed SPSS 23.0 to conduct Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) tests and Bartlett’s test of sphericity on the items. The results (KMO = 0.921, Bartlett’s test p-value significant) indicated significant correlations among the variables, confirming the suitability of the data for factor analysis. Subsequently, exploratory factor analysis, combined with principal component analysis, revealed that 11 factors sufficiently explained the information across all items of the measurement scale. To improve the interpretability of the factor structure, factor loading rotation was applied. The results showed that the observed variables exhibited high loadings across the different factors, indicating strong discriminant and convergent validity for the formal questionnaire. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for further validation. The results demonstrated that the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) values for all variables exceeded 0.5, indicating good internal consistency of the measurement questionnaire, while the Composite Reliability (CR) values exceeded 0.7, confirming good construct reliability for each latent variable (see Table 4).

Table 4. Results of the scale’s convergent validity test.

Serial Number	Project	AVE Value	CR Value
A1	Comfort	0.799	0.918
A2	openness	0.734	0.872
A3	Sensuality	0.845	0.937
B1	Policy factors	0.789	0.896
B2	social atmosphere	0.677	0.854
B3	Information factor	0.693	0.862
C1	Perceived Usefulness	0.653	0.849
C2	Perceived Usability	0.833	0.931
C3	Trustworthiness	0.664	0.841
C4	Attitude	0.76	0.875
D	willingness to participate	0.767	0.883

4.3. Analysis of Results

Based on questionnaire data, preliminary data preprocessing and analysis were initially conducted using SPSS 23.0 software. An initial structural equation model (SEM) was then developed in Amos 26.0 to assess model fit. When compared against the evaluation criteria (see Table 5), all indicators (e.g., RMSEA, IFI, PGFI, PNFI) met the required thresholds, except for the chi-square/degrees of freedom ratio (χ²/df) and the Normative Fit Index (NFI). This indicated that the overall model required further refinement. Based on the regression coefficient results (see Table 6) and theoretical rationale, the model paths were adjusted accordingly. First, based on Table 6, the insignificant paths were removed, specifically: “Policy Factors → Trust”, “Information Factors → Perceived Usefulness”, and “Perceived Ease of Use → Perceived Usefulness”, while hypotheses H6, H10, and H15 were rejected. Simultaneously, the modification indices (MI) from AMOS were referenced, and a second round of modifications was carried out according to the stepwise modification principle. Relevant parameters were adjusted sequentially and re-estimated, resulting in the final model for assessing residents’ willingness to participate in community public space public welfare renovation projects. The results of the modified model are shown in Figure 2.

Table 5. Model fitting indicators.

Model Fitting Metrics	Criteria for Judgment	Fitted Value	Passed Inspection
χ2/df	<2	2.591	No
RMSEA	<0.08	0.072	Yes
RMR	<0.08	0.065	Yes
IFI	>0.9	0.965	Yes
NFI	>0.9	0.874	No
PGFI	>0.5	0.725	Yes
PNFI	>0.5	0.843	Yes

Table 6. Model regression coefficient table.

Factor (Latent Variable)	Path	Analyzed Item (Observed Variable)	Non-Standardization Coefficient	Standardized Coefficient	Standard Error (S.E.)	C.R.	p
Comfort	→	willingness to participate	0.397	0.353	0.081	4.90	***
openness	→	willingness to participate	0.275	0.314	0.057	4.82	***
Sensuality	→	willingness to participate	0.285	0.236	0.067	4.31	***
Policy factors	→	Perceived Usefulness	0.150	0.134	0.051	2.94	0.003
Policy factors	→	Perceived Usability	0.287	0.137	0.053	5.42	***
Policy factors	→	Trustworthiness	0.129	0.287	0.083	1.55	0.121
social atmosphere	→	Perceived Usefulness	0.247	0.244	0.083	2.98	0.001
social atmosphere	→	Perceived Usability	0.167	0.193	0.064	2.61	0.019
social atmosphere	→	Trustworthiness	0.173	0.121	0.053	3.26	***
Information factor	→	Perceived Usefulness	0.098	0.114	0.059	1.66	0.117
Information factor	→	Perceived Usability	0.267	0.217	0.046	5.80	***
Information factor	→	Trustworthiness	0.389	0.334	0.077	5.05	***
Perceived Usefulness	→	Attitude	0.442	0.541	0.074	5.97	***
Perceived Usefulness	→	willingness to participate	0.336	0.328	0.049	6.86	***
Perceived Usability	→	Perceived Usefulness	0.125	0.137	0.065	1.92	0.068
Perceived Usability	→	Attitude	0.331	0.275	0.054	6.13	***
Trustworthiness	→	Attitude	0.239	0.334	0.034	7.03	***
Attitude	→	willingness to participate	0.402	0.369	0.062	6.48	***

Note: *** denotes a 5% significance level.

Figure 2. Results of the modified structural equation model.

4.4. Summary of Inspection Results

Statistical tests were performed on the conceptual model outlined earlier using observational data. The final test results for each hypothesis are presented in Table 7.

Table 7. Verification results of research hypotheses.

Serial Number	Research Hypothesis	Passed Inspection
H1	Comfort has a direct, positive, and significant impact on residents’ willingness to participate	Yes
H2	Openness has a direct, significant positive impact on residents’ willingness to participate	Yes
H3	Sensory qualities exert a direct, positive, and significant influence on residents’ willingness to participate	Yes
H4	Policy factors exert a significant positive influence on residents’ perceived usefulness of participation	Yes
H5	Policy factors exert a significant positive influence on residents’ perceived ease of use	Yes
H6	Policy factors exert a significant positive influence on residents’ trust in participation	No
H7	The social atmosphere exerts a significant positive influence on residents’ perceived usefulness of participation	Yes
H8	The social atmosphere exerts a significant positive influence on residents’ perceived ease of use	Yes
H9	The social atmosphere exerts a significant positive influence on residents’ trust in participation	Yes
H10	Information factors exert a significant positive influence on residents’ perceived usefulness of participation	No
H11	Information factors exert a significant positive influence on residents’ perceived ease of use	Yes
H12	Information factors exert a significant positive influence on residents’ trust in participation	Yes
H13	Residents’ perceived usefulness exerts a significant positive influence on their attitudes toward participation	Yes
H14	Residents’ perceived usefulness exerts a significant positive influence on their willingness to participate	Yes
H15	Residents’ perceived ease of use exerts a significant positive influence on their perceived usefulness of participation	No
H16	Residents’ perceived ease of use has a significant positive impact on their attitudes toward renovation participation	Yes
H17	Resident trust significantly and positively influences attitudes toward participation in renovation projects	Yes
H18	Residents’ attitudes exert a significant positive influence on their willingness to participate	Yes
H19	a significant difference in residents’ willingness to participate based on their gender	No
H20	significant differences in participation willingness based on residents’ age	Yes
H21	a significant variation in residents’ willingness to participate based on their educational attainment	No
H22	significant differences in residents’ willingness to participate based on household size and family structure	Yes
H23	a significant variation in residents’ willingness to participate based on household income	No
H24	significant differences in participation willingness among different types of residential households	No

5. Discussion

5.1. Discussion of Results

This study found that project attributes and external environmental factors significantly influence residents’ willingness to participate, with comfort and openness playing particularly significant roles among project attributes. According to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are core factors influencing technology acceptance. This study’s findings indicate that similar cognitive dimensions also play a role in public space renovation projects. Specifically, comfort and openness enhance residents’ perceived usefulness of the project, thereby increasing their willingness to participate. Additionally, policy support and social atmosphere in the external environment, similar to the external variables in TAM, promote residents’ willingness to participate by increasing their trust in the project and expectations of the renovation outcomes. However, despite the significant impact of these factors on residents’ participation, their effects may vary across different cultural contexts and community environments. Therefore, this study not only validates the effectiveness of the TAM but also extends its application in the field of urban renewal, further demonstrating the importance of external environmental factors in non-technical domains.

According to social cognitive theory, the relationship between residents’ perceptions and willingness to participate can be explained by factors such as perceived usefulness and trust. In this study, residents’ perceived usefulness directly influences their willingness to participate, which aligns with the expected utility in social cognitive theory. Specifically, residents’ willingness to participate significantly increases when their perceived utility of the project is high. Moreover, demographic characteristics, such as age and family structure, influence residents’ perceptions of the project, with middle-aged residents showing greater concern for environmental quality, consistent with the community participation motivation theory in social capital theory. Therefore, this study not only validates the existing theoretical framework but also provides new evidence for its applicability in the context of urban renewal in China.

(1) Project Attribute Factors

The findings show that better infrastructure, higher comfort, and greater openness strengthen residents’ sense of belonging and support long-term use of community public spaces, which is consistent with SDG-oriented public space practices that prioritize accessibility, safety, and basic functionality before aesthetic upgrading [47]. Openness that enables resource sharing and social interaction also fits the idea that spatial settings shape behavior [48] and echoes evidence from community facilities where flexible, multifunctional spaces triggered higher participation than purely visual improvements [49]. Sensory elements work through a stimulus–response path, but their effect is weaker than that of functional upgrades, similar to county-level park co-construction where landscaping could not replace everyday usability [50]. This suggests that, in participatory decisions, residents still rank practicality above ornamentation, with experiential/cultural factors becoming effective only after basic facilities are secured [51].

(2) External Environmental Factors

The non-significant effect of government trust on willingness to participate implies that perceived gaps between policy promises and delivery weaken the administrative stimulus and thus the sustainability of community development [52]. This contrasts with participation models where perceived governmental support normally acts as a positive external driver [53,54], indicating that here institutional signals were diluted by past experiences. The weakening of local governance structures, particularly the gap between government promises and actual implementation, has led to residents’ doubts about government-driven community renewal projects. This situation is particularly evident in China’s unique governance environment, where the government often faces challenges such as insufficient implementation capacity and poor policy coherence when promoting community public space renovation. In contrast, cultural norms, particularly social norms and cultural expectations among neighbors, can partially compensate for the trust deficit in government. Neighborhood demonstrations activated social-norm and conformity effects, reduced information and decision costs, and effectively increased participation—exactly the mechanism observed in neighborhood-regeneration and co-construction cases where “visible participation” is more persuasive than one-way notifications [50]. The weak role of information dissemination shows that residents value hands-on, co-created processes over passive reception, so future projects should strengthen interactive and collaborative mechanisms rather than only improving publicity.

(3) Subjective Perception Factors Among Residents

The non-significant link from perceived ease of use to perceived usefulness indicates that, in community renovation, residents pay more attention to feasibility, benefit sharing, and institutional barriers than to operational convenience [48]. This is the opposite of many TAM–TPB applications where ease of use and usefulness reinforce each other [51], which suggests that this is a trust-dependent, rule-dependent context. Trust, however, showed a dominant effect on attitudes, in line with SOR-based accounts where relational trust and reciprocity are key to breaking participation inertia [53] and with extended IMB models where motivation and relational support outweigh pure information [54]. Building a durable, repeatable trust network is therefore a prerequisite for sustainable community governance.

(4) Demographic Characteristics

Middle-aged residents, who carry family-care and education responsibilities, are more sensitive to environmental quality and service accessibility and thus more willing to participate [55]. Similar participation peaks were observed in communities where households with school-age children, and multigenerational households with diverse activity needs, showed higher attendance in co-planning activities [49,50]. This supports the “needs–resources matching” view: when household needs are better aligned with community resource provision, participation willingness rises, promoting sustainable use of public space.

5.2. Management Insights

(1) Strengthen social atmosphere guidance mechanisms to enhance residents’ psychological identification.

Visible presentation of renovation outcomes can turn neighbor demonstration into a collective norm, compensating for weak institutional trust and reinforcing acceptance of long-term projects [56]; Embedding consultative platforms and iterative feedback—similar to micro-space renewal paths that integrate multiple actors—can narrow the promise–delivery gap and stabilize expectations [51]. Additionally, establishing a consultative decision-making platform involving resident representatives can create a spillover effect of exemplary participation, thereby driving broader voluntary engagement. Furthermore, designing a neighborhood mutual aid incentive system will foster the accumulation of relational social capital, promote a positive cycle of mutual trust, and stabilize it, ultimately ensuring the community’s sustainable and stable development in the future.

(2) Optimize project attribute design to emphasize functionality and emotional connection.

Priority should go to basic, everyday facilities—accessibility, lighting, barrier-free paths, and reconfigurable units—to secure daily convenience and spontaneous use [57]. After that, local cultural and sensory elements can be added to enhance place attachment, as seen in SDG public space cases and community facilities where flexible layouts encouraged residents to join maintenance [47,49]. This approach not only improves space utilization efficiency but also establishes a foundation for sustainable development. Additionally, integrating local cultural elements (such as community historical murals and regional symbols) through sensory design can synergistically enhance both functional utility and emotional value, fostering the community’s holistic and sustainable development.

(3) Develop tiered participation incentive policies tailored to specific group characteristics.

For young families, linking childcare, parent–child activities, and public-space scenarios can convert practical needs into participation; for older adults, low-threshold, service-supported channels can reduce perceived barriers; for long-term residents, clarifying post-renovation property rights and long-term benefits can secure sustainable engagement [58]. This aligns with evidence that different resident groups respond to different leading stimuli—motivational, service-based, or benefit-oriented [53,54]—and with behavior–intention models that stress outcome clarity before stable participation [50]. For the elderly, offering low-barrier, highly accessible participation channels and support services reduce perceived usability barriers. Additionally, clarify property rights post-renovation through policy measures to address residents’ concerns about long-term benefits, thereby establishing a solid legal and social foundation for the sustainable continuation of community renovation projects.

6. Conclusions and Future Research

6.1. Conclusions

This study investigates the public-interest renovation of community public spaces, integrating perspectives from behavioral science and social psychology. It constructs causal pathways through which external environmental factors, residents’ subjective cognitive factors, project attributes, and demographic characteristics influence residents’ willingness to participate. The study also proposes strategies to enhance resident participation. Key findings are as follows:

(1) A theoretical model of resident participation willingness in public welfare renovation projects for community public spaces was developed, revealing that external environmental factors, residents’ subjective cognitive factors, project attributes, and demographic characteristics all influence participation willingness.

(2) Policy factors, social atmosphere, and information factors indirectly affect participation willingness through residents’ subjective cognitive factors, such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, and attitude.

(3) Project attributes (comfort, openness, sensory appeal) positively influence participation willingness, with comfort having the most substantial impact, indicating that residents prioritize tangible improvements to their living environment.

(4) Among demographic characteristics, age, household size, and family structure differentiate participation willingness, while gender, income, education level, and housing type show no significant effect, reflecting structural variations in participation behavior.

(5) To enhance resident participation willingness, efforts should focus on strengthening social atmosphere guidance mechanisms to enhance psychological identification; optimizing project attribute design to emphasize functionality and emotional connection; and developing tiered participation incentive policies tailored to group characteristics. These measures will collectively foster collaborative governance and promote sustainable development in community public space renovations.

The theoretical contribution of this study lies in the extension of the TAM by proposing a new integrated model that incorporates multidimensional factors such as project attributes, external environment, and residents’ subjective perceptions, thus enriching the theoretical framework of residents’ willingness to participate. This study applies the TAM within the context of urban renewal in China, exploring residents’ participation motives across different cultural contexts, thus filling a gap in the existing literature. Practically, this study provides a theoretical basis for community public space renovation projects, particularly in enhancing residents’ participation and optimizing project design. The research findings provide valuable recommendations for policymakers and urban renewal practitioners, helping to better design and implement community renovation projects.

6.2. Limitations and Future Research

Despite the in-depth exploration of factors influencing residents’ participation in public space renovation through a survey, this study has certain limitations. Firstly, this study collected data from only one city, which may limit the applicability of its conclusions to residents in other regions or cultural contexts. The social background, cultural differences, and community governance models in different cities may have varying effects on residents’ willingness to participate. Therefore, future research could collect data from different cities or regions to test the generalizability of this study’s model. Secondly, the sample selection in this study mainly focused on specific groups, which may not fully represent all social classes or age groups, potentially affecting the generalizability of the results. Future studies could consider expanding the sample size to include a more diverse range of groups.

For future research directions, we recommend further testing the model in different cultural contexts and urban environments. For example, conducting cross-regional comparative studies in cities with differing levels of economic development or significant social and cultural differences to assess the cross-cultural applicability of the model. Additionally, future studies could explore different forms of resident participation mechanisms to further enrich and refine the theoretical framework of residents’ willingness to participate.