The Relationship Between Representational Culture of Decorative Walls in Subway Stations and Commuters’ Spatial Perception: A Case Study of Ping’anli Station in Beijing

Previous research on subway stations has emphasized indexicality, functionality, comfort, aesthetics, etc., while cultural representation has been neglected. Notably, however, cultural representations in subway stations shape the city image and affects residents’ sense of identity and belonging. In particular, cultural representations on the decorative walls of subway stations play a crucial role. Therefore, the following questions can be asked: Do passengers perceive the representational culture in these subway stations? What is the relationship between the cultural representations on the decorative walls in subway stations and commuters’ spatial perception? Using a case study of the Ping’anli station in Beijing, in response to the research conducted by Xu Y.J. and other scholars, and adopting the method of data triangulation performed through content analysis, social media, and questionnaires, this paper analyses whether and how cultural representations on the decorative walls of subway stations affect commuters’ spatial perceptions. This study provides new insights into the influence of cultural representations in subway stations on commuters’ spatial perceptions. The findings reveal that cultural representations on decorative walls in subway stations do not fully align with commuters’ spatial perception. These findings can offer references for urban planning as well as the planning and design of decorative walls in subway stations.