Purpose

One major challenge for urban planners and policymakers is how to strengthen and establish connections between humans and the environment. Evidence suggests that the physical characteristics of the environment enhance both place identity and user satisfaction. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of place identity in the relationship between place quality and user satisfaction in two waterfronts in Penang, Malaysia. However, only few studies have examined the impact of place quality on user satisfaction in waterfronts as natural outdoor recreation spaces.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 300 users was analysed via structural equation modelling, and results show that place quality is a second-order construct with three main dimensions.

Findings

These results support the theoretical findings in the literature that associate high place quality and place identity with user satisfaction. These results also support the mediating role of place identity in the relationship between place quality and satisfaction and can help policymakers create inclusive and attractive waterfronts that catalyse place identity and user satisfaction.

Originality/value

Place quality is an essential need for urban life with significant and extensive effects on the lives of residents nowadays. Organising physical activities can help attract more users to waterfronts and consequently increase their level of satisfaction. Local authorities, non-governmental organisations and local communities should also help in monitoring and maintaining the waterfronts.

中文翻译：

---

地方认同在滨水区地方质量和用户满意度之间的中介作用：以马来西亚槟城为例

目的

城市规划者和政策制定者面临的一项主要挑战是如何加强和建立人类与环境之间的联系。有证据表明，环境的物理特征增强了场所认同感和用户满意度。本研究旨在调查地点认同在马来西亚槟城两个滨水区的地点质量和用户满意度之间的关系中的中介作用。然而，只有少数研究考察了场所质量对作为自然户外休闲空间的滨水区用户满意度的影响。

设计/方法/方法

通过结构方程模型分析了 300 个用户的样本，结果表明场所质量是具有三个主要维度的二阶构造。

发现

这些结果支持文献中将高场所质量和场所身份与用户满意度相关联的理论发现。这些结果还支持地方身份在地方质量和满意度之间的关系中的中介作用，并可以帮助政策制定者创建具有包容性和吸引力的滨水区，从而促进地方身份和用户满意度。

原创性/价值

场所质量是城市生活的基本需求，对当今居民的生活产生重大而广泛的影响。组织体育活动有助于吸引更多用户到海滨，从而提高他们的满意度。地方当局、非政府组织和当地社区也应帮助监测和维护滨水区。