Exploring Meanings and Experiences of Public Spaces: Topic Modelling Insights from Museum Gazhane

Abstract

Public spaces function as both material and symbolic environments for public life, where individuals construct and share meanings through experience. This study explores the symbolic and experiential meanings of public space by analysing user-generated content about Museum Gazhane. Drawing on 3,025 Google Maps reviews (2021–2024), it adopts a two-stage methodology: Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) is used to detect thematic patterns, which are then interpreted through Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to reveal how narratives express social meanings. This integrative approach combines computational scalability with critical depth, enhancing both methodological rigour and interpretive nuance. Findings offer insights into how digital narratives reflect public perceptions and symbolic attachments, while highlighting the value of user-generated content for informing inclusive and responsive public space planning in contemporary cities.