Exploring visitors’ perceptions of the spatial quality of Central to Wan Chai Harbourfront

Urban open spaces (UOS) are essential to the physical and psychological well-being of urban dwellers. UOS in Hong Kong are however criticised for their poor quality. In recent years, harbourfronts in Hong Kong have been redeveloped to create higher standard UOS. Nonetheless, there is a knowledge gap on the quality of redeveloped harbourfront. This paper therefore aims to explore visitors’ perception of the newest generation of harboufronts by developing a user-centred theoretical framework to assess the spatial quality of Central to Wan Chai Harbourfront -- a flagship UOS in Hong Kong. This research explored the perceptions of visitors on the Harbourfront on four spatial quality attributes identified by literature, namely Accessibility, Aesthetics, Environment and Safety, and Facilities. The results highlight the merits and flaws of CWCH’s spatial quality. Aesthetics is the most appreciated attribute, while users have a similar satisfaction level on Accessibility, Environment and Safety, and Facilities. Furthermore, this research employed multiple regression analysis to explore which attribute could attract visitors to the Harbourfront. Analysis results identified that Aesthetics and Accessibility are key attributes in attracting more visitors, mainly attributed to their uniqueness and convenience. These findings offer valuable suggestions for future harbourfront improvements and developments, enabling authorities and urban planners to create more attractive and enjoyable UOS for citizens.