Exploring the inherent mechanism of residents' participation behavior in neighborhood regeneration projects: an empirical study using an extended IMB model in China

Xinyue Fu; Taozhi Zhuang; Ruopeng Huang; Yaxian Dong

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1257970

Exploring the inherent mechanism of residents' participation behavior in neighborhood regeneration projects: an empirical study using an extended IMB model in China

Front Psychol. 2023 Nov 9:14:1257970. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1257970. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Xinyue Fu¹, Taozhi Zhuang¹, Ruopeng Huang², Yaxian Dong³

Affiliations

¹ School of Management Science and Real Estate, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
² Management in the Built Environment, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands.
³ Engineering Unit A, Department of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.

Abstract

Introduction: Resident participation has gained increasing prominence and significance in the pursuit of sustainable neighborhoods regeneration. However, the current state of resident participation practices remains beset by several challenges, which present formidable impediments to the initiation and execution of neighborhood regeneration initiatives. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of residents' participation behavior to enhance resident participation in neighborhood regeneration projects.

Methods: The present study employs the extended Information-Motivation-Behavioral (IMB) model to examine the determinants and mechanisms influencing residents' willingness and participation in neighborhood regeneration projects, with a specific focus on the Chinese context. Drawing upon data from 477 meticulously validated questionnaires administered to residents, the study applies structural equation modeling (SEM) to unravel the intrinsic dynamics of residents' participation behavior.

Results: The empirical findings of this research reveal that information, motivation, and the perceived local government support all exert a significant impact on residents' participation willingness. Notably, motivation emerges as the most influential factor.

Discussion: This study uncovers a direct influence of local government organizations on both residents' willingness and their actual participation, suggesting that government organizations can spearhead innovative strategies to bolster residents' willingness and furnish avenues for translating willingness into tangible participation. The outcomes of this study furnish an indispensable theoretical framework and offer policy recommendations that hold paramount importance for the deployment of novel interventions geared toward stimulating active involvement of residents in neighborhood regeneration.

Keywords: information-motivation-behavioral model; inherent mechanism; neighborhood regeneration; residents’ participation behavior; structural equation modeling.

Grants and funding

The author (s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.