Sustainable Neighborhood Micro-Renewal: Pathways from Physical Environment to Residents’ Satisfaction through Place Attachment

Abstract

Neighborhood micro-renewal is increasingly positioned as a pathway toward sustainable urban transformation. However, the socio-environmental mechanisms through which physical upgrading influences residential satisfaction remain underexplored. This study develops and tests a mediation framework linking neighborhood physical environment, place attachment, and residents’ satisfaction in Wuxi, China, a national pilot for micro-renewal. Using survey data analyzed through structural equation modeling, the findings reveal that perceived environmental improvements significantly enhance residents’ satisfaction both directly and indirectly via place attachment. The results highlight that sustainability in micro-renewal extends beyond physical enhancement to include the strengthening of residents’ emotional bonds with place. While these findings contribute to a broader understanding of sustainable neighborhood renewal, their explanatory power may be especially relevant to high-density cities undergoing rapid transformation, where continuity, security, and sense of belonging are particularly valued by residents. By integrating environmental and psychological perspectives, this study advances the theoretical understanding of sustainable neighborhood renewal and provides actionable insights for planners seeking to promote socially resilient communities.

Keywords: Neighborhood Physical Environment, Place Attachment, Residents’ satisfaction, Neighborhood Micro-Renewal