An Analysis of Environmental Design Perception and Experience in Urban Squares Based on Phenomenology of Perception: A Citizen Interview Study of Dongfanghong Square in Lanzhou, China

This study is grounded in Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology of perception and investigates how the concepts of the "phenomenological body" and "intentionality of consciousness" intervene in the perception and meaning-making processes of urban square spaces.Dongfanghong Square in Lanzhou, China, was selected as the empirical case, through which the research systematically explores citizens' sensory experiences, emotional responses, and identity formation in the context of their actual spatial use.In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 citizens to collect narratives of their spatial experiences.The data were analyzed using NVivo qualitative analysis software through a three-phase coding process-open, axial, and selective coding-and thematically examined to derive a dynamic structural pathway that progresses from perception to emotion and ultimately to identity.The findings reveal a structural tension in the sensory experience of Dongfanghong Square.While the square exhibits initial visual attraction, it lacks visual focal points and symbolic depth.In the tactile dimension, hardened pavement materials and insufficient microclimatic modulation reduce citizens' willingness to linger.Auditory and olfactory environments are dominated by traffic noise and lack natural scents, thereby limiting the space's capacity to induce emotional comfort.Although the square serves multiple practical purposes, it is characterized by a deficiency in interactive engagement.Furthermore, the analysis shows that memories, social experiences, and symbolic associations deeply influence citizens' emotional responses and cultural identity related to the square.Expressions of nostalgia for past rituals-such as flag-raising ceremonies and feeding pigeons-and criticism of the current absence of cultural symbolism underscore the lack of emotional identity and meaning construction within the space.Theoretically, this study expands the interpretive potential of phenomenology of perception in the context of urban public space research.It empirically validates the sequential chain of bodily perception, emotional activation, and symbolic meaning generation.Methodologically, it demonstrates the effectiveness of qualitative thematic analysis in capturing complex spatial experiences.Practically, the findings suggest the necessity of reconstructing the experiential system of urban squares along three dimensions: enhancing multisensory environmental design, fostering behavioral interaction, and