User Behaviour and Urban Facade Design: Insights from a Book Street in Vietnam

Abstract

This study examines Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in Ho Chi Minh City, a public space that integrates literary culture with flexible urban design. It explores how facade characteristics and spatial configurations influence patterns of public behaviour. Using photo-based capture evaluation method surveys (CEMS), semantic analysis and multivariate techniques, the study identifies design features that shape user activity. There are 13 recurring behaviour patterns observed and grouped into six categories: (1) Places for Making, (2) Places to Pause and Share, (3) Paths and Play, (4) Watching and Wandering, (5) Places for Conversation and Reflection, and (6) Gathering and Discovery. These patterns reflect a broad spectrum of activities, including creative work, rest, movement and cultural participation. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed five key facade dimensions that influence these behaviours: structural composition, lighting and colour, cultural expression, spatial symmetry and architectural detailing. The results show that materials such as brick, wood and glass, along with human-scale ornamentation and balanced forms, shape how people interact with and perceive space. Warm colours and symbolic features support social and reflective behaviours, while clear spatial organisation enhances flow and engagement. These findings suggest that facade design plays a vital role in supporting diverse patterns of use. The study offers evidence-based guidance for designers and policymakers aiming to enhance street environments, particularly in dense urban contexts. By focusing on a culturally specific and adaptively reused public space, it emphasises the value of context-responsive design in creating vibrant, inclusive and meaningful urban places.