Traditional Regionalism or Modern Minimalism? Unveiling the Psychological Impact of Architectural Styles in Sustainable Urban Planning

Abstract

Life satisfaction is one of the key indicators of people’s well-being. However, the choice between traditional regionalism and modern minimalism in urban planning remains controversial from a human-centered perspective. Using a sample of 438 respondents from Huangshan City in 2024, we explored the relationships between architectural style, general belongingness, social identity, and life satisfaction through structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicate significant correlations among the four variables in the model, with general belongingness and social identity acting as mediators in the relationship between architectural style and life satisfaction. Furthermore, residents living in traditional regional architecture scored higher on the scales of general belongingness, social identity, and life satisfaction compared to those living in modern minimalist architecture. These findings provide new insights for urban planning, highlighting the importance of considering the potential psychological and social welfare impacts of architectural styles on residents during the design process. Additionally, they emphasize the value of preserving and promoting traditional regional architecture. This study provides empirical evidence for urban planners and architects, supporting the integration of more human-centered design principles into modern urban environments to enhance residents’ well-being.