Examining environmental and services quality of community complexes based on users’ experience: case studies in Guangzhou

Community complexes have emerged as a strategic solution to urban land scarcity while addressing diverse resident needs. This study conducts a comprehensive Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of eight typical community complexes in Guangzhou using on-site questionnaire surveys (N = 970), integrating attractiveness, importance, and satisfaction to develop a holistic evaluation framework. Factor analysis identifies four key dimensions of residents' perceptions, while binary logistic regression reveals that environmental performance and commercial functions are the primary drivers of user experience. Additionally, larger complexes (≥50,000 m2) with integrated commercial, service, and transit functions received higher user evaluations, demonstrating the advantages of mixed-use development. The study highlights pedestrians as key users and underscores the importance of walkability for user experience. It notes demographic differences in usage, with elderly and family-oriented consumers driving demand for intergenerational services. Policy recommendations focus on creating age-inclusive environments, optimizing the balance between commercial and public functions, and enhancing accessibility to ensure that community complexes function as vibrant social hubs.