Sustainable participation design analysis framework: participation in design and design of participation

With urban development shifting from expansive growth to more refined community-level renewal, the role of participatory design (PD) in urban regeneration has become increasingly prominent. However, current research predominantly focuses on the project-level, lacking a comprehensive evaluation of PD’s long-standing influence on promoting social sustainability. Employing a mixed-methods research design, this paper delves into the interaction mechanisms between social and professional design participation in PD. To address existing research gaps, a Dual-Axis Analytical Framework for PD sustainability is proposed, aiming to evaluate and optimise PD processes to enhance design adaptability and effectiveness, thereby fostering sustainable societal development. Three urban renewal cases are carefully analysed to validate the framework, revealing four key sustainability factors: participant autonomy, public goal clarity, institutional support, and socio-technical tool scalability. By refining these factors, PD can cultivate more inclusive, democratic, and environmentally sustainable urban development models. The study not only enriches the theoretical understanding of PD but also provides valuable insights for practical urban renewal projects.