What Do Users Really Need? Developing a Multi-Dimensional Evaluation Framework for Post-Industrial Heritage Sites in China

Industrial heritage plays a pivotal role in preserving local culture and preventing urban homogenization. Although the reuse of industrial heritage sites has been underway in China for nearly 30 years, designers often focus on heritage value itself while neglecting the multifaceted needs of users after project transformation. This oversight creates a critical disconnect between design and user needs, consequently impeding the long-term sustainability and success of such projects. To address this critical gap, this study proposes a user-centric needs framework for industrial heritage transformation, inspired by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Guided by this theoretical framework, a survey of visitor experience feedback was conducted across six typical case studies in China to validate the practical utility of the theoretical framework. The results indicate that five dimensions (“physical provision”, “safety and insurance”, “social needs”, “spatial esteem”, “cultural legibility”) were initially derived from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; “transportation accessibility” as a supplement was added during empirical validation; ultimately, a six-dimensional framework with 13 specific secondary evaluation indicators is established. To demonstrate the practical application of the proposed framework, a representative case study was evaluated using the weighted aggregation method. This study has established a concise and clear framework for user needs in evaluating future industrial heritage transformation projects, and has clarified the dimensions of concern for users regarding such projects.