Regeneration path of abandoned industrial buildings: The moderating role of the goodness of regeneration mode

The regeneration of abandoned industrial buildings (AIBs) is an important aspect of global sustainable urbanization. Public approval is directly linked to the success of the implementation and operation of such projects. However, there have been few quantitative studies on public willingness to support these projects. This study accordingly proposes an extended theory of planned behavior model that uses goodness of regeneration mode (GRM) as a moderating construct and considers environmental concern (EC) and perceived value (PV) to determine the factors that affect public acceptance behavioral intention (BI). A total of 365 valid data samples were collected via questionnaire surveys conducted near 151 regeneration sites in 10 Chinese provinces, and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The empirical results indicate that all underlying dimensions except subjective norms and EC have significant and direct effects on public acceptance BI, and EC and PV affect BI indirectly through influencing attitudes. By analyzing the moderating role of GRM on PV to BI, we found that future AIB uses, such as creative/cultural spaces, are a recommendable option nowadays. Academic and management implications of the empirical results are also provided as references for the improvement of AIB regeneration and sustainable development promotion.