Short answer
Designers and managers should actively monitor and respond to user feedback found in online reviews, as it provides actionable insights into improving the accessibility and attractiveness of public spaces.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Scientific Reports (2025)
- Method
- Data Analytics and Content Analysis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Analyzing user-generated online reviews can effectively identify factors influencing public perception of urban parks, guiding design and management decisions. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Scientific Reports. Using Data analytics and content analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and managers should actively monitor and respond to user feedback found in online reviews, as it provides actionable insights into improving the accessibility and attractiveness of public spaces.
Online reviews reveal key drivers of urban park attractiveness and accessibility
Analyzing user-generated online reviews can effectively identify factors influencing public perception of urban parks, guiding design and management decisions.
Scientific Reports · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Four key themes emerged: quality and maintenance, family and activities, costs and affordability, and natural environment.
- 02Positive sentiments dominated (79.8% of reviews).
- 03Safety and commercialization (e.g., food and ticket prices) significantly impact perceived accessibility.
- 04Park attractiveness is strongly linked to cultural aspects (aesthetics, leisure) and regulatory features (cleanliness, quietness).
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and managers should actively monitor and respond to user feedback found in online reviews, as it provides actionable insights into improving the accessibility and attractiveness of public spaces.
How to apply
Regularly analyze user reviews on platforms like Google Maps, social media, and dedicated forums for parks and public spaces to identify recurring themes and sentiment trends.
Project actions
- 01When researching user experiences, consider using online review platforms as a source of qualitative data.
- 02Think about how to analyze sentiment and identify common themes in user feedback.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes a large volume of naturally occurring user data.
- +Provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional surveys.
Limitations
Online reviews may not represent all user groups, and the data can be subjective.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of sentiment analysis can be moderate, depending on the algorithm. Validity is supported by the convergence of findings from topic modeling, statistical analysis, and content analysis.
Think critically
How might the digital divide or the nature of online platforms skew the representation of user experiences in public spaces?
Design Principles
"Leverage user-generated content to iteratively improve the design and functionality of public spaces."
This research demonstrates a cost-effective method for understanding user experiences, moving beyond traditional surveys. By leveraging readily available data, designers and urban planners can gain insights into what makes public spaces both accessible and appealing to a broad audience.
What This Means for Your Design
Looking at what people say about parks online can tell us what makes them easy to get to and enjoyable to visit.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the use of online reviews as a data source for understanding user needs and preferences in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This study highlights the utility of analyzing user-generated online reviews, such as those found on Google, as a method for understanding public perceptions of urban parks. The research identified key factors influencing park accessibility and attractiveness, demonstrating that online feedback can be a valuable, cost-effective tool for informing design and management decisions in public spaces.
Source
Scientific Reports
Users’ experiences of park accessibility and attractiveness based on online review analytics
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about online reviews reveal key drivers of urban park attractiveness and accessibility?
- Designers and managers should actively monitor and respond to user feedback found in online reviews, as it provides actionable insights into improving the accessibility and attractiveness of public spaces. Evidence: Scientific Reports (2025).
- Why does "Online reviews reveal key drivers of urban park attractiveness and accessibility" matter for design?
- This research demonstrates a cost-effective method for understanding user experiences, moving beyond traditional surveys. By leveraging readily available data, designers and urban planners can gain insights into what makes public spaces both accessible and appealing to a broad audience.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and managers should actively monitor and respond to user feedback found in online reviews, as it provides actionable insights into improving the accessibility and attractiveness of public spaces.
- What were the main findings?
- Four key themes emerged: quality and maintenance, family and activities, costs and affordability, and natural environment.. Positive sentiments dominated (79.8% of reviews).. Safety and commercialization (e.g., food and ticket prices) significantly impact perceived accessibility.. Park attractiveness is strongly linked to cultural aspects (aesthetics, leisure) and regulatory features (cleanliness, quietness).
- What research method was used?
- Data Analytics and Content Analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Scientific Reports.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Regularly analyze user reviews on platforms like Google Maps, social media, and dedicated forums for parks and public spaces to identify recurring themes and sentiment trends.
- What are the limitations?
- Potential bias towards users with digital access and a lack of demographic data in online reviews.