People and Place in Concert: Evaluating Life Satisfaction through Subjective Measures and Objective 5D Theory-based Indicators in Suzhou, China

Life satisfaction is a key indicator for assessing the quality of urban spaces, with much of the existing research concentrating on aspects such as the physical environment and policy changes. A significant gap exists in the literature concerning comparative studies integrating subjective life satisfaction with objective design intervention and spatial response mechanisms, particularly with households as the primary research subjects. In this study, Suzhou is selected as a study area, aiming to bridge the gap by employing a “5D” measurement model encompassing density, diversity, design, destination accessibility, and distance to transit. This research employs an Ordinary Least Squares model and spatial analysis using multiple data sources. The findings reveal that density, diversity, and distance demonstrate poor heterogeneity between the subjective and objective assessment results. In contrast, design and destination aspects show relatively higher consistency. Moreover, key household satisfaction influential factors were identified, including family economic status, sports facilities, educational services, and road design. The primary goal of this research is to provide actionable recommendations to inform policy-making and design intervention within the context of stock-based urban regeneration processes. To benefit academia and practice, this paper initiates a practical, precise, and people-oriented approach tailored to address the challenges posed by resource limitations.