Multidimensional Perception Evaluation and Spatial Reconstruction of Industrial Heritage Tourism Sites Through Scene Theory: Evidence from Dianping UGC at Eight Sites in Wuhan

Abstract

Industrial heritage tourism depends on more than the preservation of visible structures; it also requires visitors to perceive historical and cultural meaning. This study examines public perceptions of eight representative industrial heritage tourism sites in Wuhan. Drawing on Scene Theory, we developed a three-dimensional framework encompassing physical, social, and cultural scenes. We collected user-generated content (UGC) from Dianping.com and evaluated 12 perception elements using semantic network analysis and a modified Importance–Performance Analysis based on topic salience and satisfaction. Public perceptions were dominated by visual aesthetics and social-media engagement. Ecological atmosphere received favourable evaluations despite its lower salience, whereas homogeneous commercial offerings weakened the visitor experience. Era memory and industrial heritage combined relatively high salience with low satisfaction, revealing a gap between visible physical remains and the communication of industrial history and collective memory. A hierarchical analysis further showed that only 8.40% of culture-related reviews contained deep industrial narratives. We therefore propose strategies that improve spatial interpretation, embed site-specific industrial identity in commercial and social experiences, and connect heritage objects with historical processes and workers’ memories. These findings provide an evidence-based framework for strengthening cultural interpretation in the revitalization of Wuhan’s industrial heritage.