Enhancing Civic Engagement Through Spatial Design: A Nudge Theory Approach to Lightscape Interventions and Cultural Heritage in Urban Environments

This study examines how spatial design, particularly lightscape interventions, operates as a behavioral nudge associated with collaborative participation intention in urban environments. Drawing on nudge theory, place attachment, and cultural heritage literature, we analyze data from a questionnaire survey of 720 urban residents across major metropolitan regions in Japan using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicate that urban development and cultural heritage assets are positively associated with lightscape interventions, which in turn show a strong positive relationship with collaborative participation intention. While urban development exhibits both direct and indirect relationships with participation intention, the influence of cultural heritage assets operates primarily through lightscape interventions as a mediating mechanism. These findings suggest that cultural heritage alone does not automatically stimulate civic participation; rather, its social value is activated when heritage resources are translated into meaningful spatial and visual experiences. Lightscape interventions thus serve as an effective non-coercive mechanism linking spatial and cultural resources to civic engagement intentions. This research offers valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers seeking design-based, non-coercive strategies to enhance citizens’ place attachment and willingness to contribute to community activities.