Demand-Oriented Renovation Strategies for Public Spaces in University Dormitory Squares: A Case Study of the LZH Campus at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power

Abstract

As a key node in the campus public space system, the small squares in dormitory areas carry important functions for students’ informal learning, social interaction, and leisure relaxation, making them one of the significant public activity spaces on campus. As high-frequency daily public spaces frequently used by students, the current quality of university dormitory area small squares stands in sharp contradiction with students’ growing diversified and individualized needs. Based on demand theory, environmental behavior studies, participatory design, and other theoretical foundations, this study employs methods such as literature analysis, case studies, and field surveys to systematically investigate the existing problems in current dormitory small squares, including underutilized facilities, single-function layouts, insufficient vitality, and lack of humanistic care. The research shows that in the renovation process, priority must be given to responding to the common “basic needs” related to safety, shelter, and wayfinding, while strategically integrating and elevating the differentiated “expectation needs” concerning leisure, socialization, and aesthetic enhancement. The core lies in adopting a student demand-oriented approach and implementing four major strategies—functional compounding, flexible boundaries, natural integration, and smart empowerment—to construct a “dormitory living room” that promotes interaction and stimulates vitality. This study provides a theoretical framework and practical pathway for the “micro-renewal” of existing public activity spaces in university dormitory areas. It holds significant reference value for improving the quality of campus living environments and promoting student community integration.