Assessment of Influential Factors on Commute and Life Satisfaction in a Historic Campus-Adjacent Environment: Evidence from a Comparison Study of Twin Cities

The prevailing social-spatial disorder within urban settings has become pervasive, particularly in the misalignment between policy formulation and social perception. This underscores the potential for effectively promoting sustainable comprehensive planning coordination by measuring commute and life satisfaction metrics. However, more comprehensive research on commute and life satisfaction in complex historical environments and delving into nuanced analyses of the intricate relationships is needed. This study employed Nanjing University and Soochow University in China as a compelling case study, utilizing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to meticulously analyze data from stakeholders’ questionnaires. The research results reveal that personal attributes and community environment impact life satisfaction significantly, particularly with the variables of emotional stability and community services. It also confirms the importance of cultural and educational elements in enhancing individuals’ perceptions. Notably, variations in influencing factors on satisfaction levels are observed across diverse historical campus-adjacent environments (HCAEs), revealing complexities in satisfaction determinants. Additionally, the contradictory relationship between commuting and life satisfaction is evident, underscoring the nonlinear characteristics within satisfaction impact factors. This study elucidates the intricate mechanisms governing satisfaction perceptions in HCAEs, providing reliable guidance and insights for urban regeneration policies and planning decision-making.