Design Planning Strategies for Commercial Spaces Reflecting Sustainable Local Culture

In the context of urban regeneration, commercial spaces are increasingly required to embody both locality and sustainability. However, contemporary design practices often remain superficial, emphasizing visual or functional aspects rather than long-term cultural and environmental values. This study aims to examine users’ experiences and perceptions of local culture and design preferences to identify spatial elements that reinforce cultural identity and inform sustainable design strategies for commercial spaces. This study conducted an online survey to identify key design factors for sustainable, locality-driven commercial spaces, and collected a total of 159 responses, of which 133 valid cases were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to examine demographic characteristics, commercial space usage, and design preferences, followed by one-way ANOVA to test differences across gender–age subgroups. The results indicate that users primarily value interior atmosphere, experiential programs, and contextual storytelling, with local identity most effectively conveyed through narrative-based spatial composition and the integration of regional resources. In conclusion, the findings suggest that culturally grounded commercial spaces are most positively perceived when aesthetic, experiential, and contextual elements work together to reinforce locality. Future planning should emphasize story-driven spatial strategies while selectively incorporating sustainability features according to demographic sensitivities.