Design for Cultural Identifiability in Subway Public Spaces Based on IPA Analysis

Subway public spaces have been identified as a vital medium for showcasing urban culture. The design quality of these spaces has been shown to have a profound influence on passengers’ spatial perception and cultural experience. However, amid rapid urbanization, subway stations commonly face issues such as homogeneous spatial interfaces and unclear cultural themes, resulting in diminished station identifiability. This study integrates post-use evaluation with Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) to establish an assessment and optimization pathway aimed at systematically identifying and prioritizing key design elements for enhancing cultural identifiability. Taking Tianjin Gulou Station as a case study, user feedback collected through questionnaires identified 12 indicators influencing identifiability satisfaction. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were confirmed through validity analysis and paired-sample t-tests, while IPA was employed to clarify improvement priorities. The results indicate that the overall perceived importance of cultural identifiability at Gulou Station significantly exceeds satisfaction levels. Landmark installations, art walls, and vertical transportation fall within the “high importance-low satisfaction” quadrant, which is identified as a primary area of focus for enhancement. Basic interface elements such as flooring and ceilings require enhancement, while transfer entrances and station name walls constitute advantageous designs warranting preservation. Based on the findings of the present study, three targeted design strategies are proposed: enhancing spatial perception, constructing cultural continuity, and integrating multidimensional experiences. These approaches seek to address the “spatial-cultural” perception gap, providing actionable pathways for the distinctive renewal of subway spaces.