Research on Strategies for Creating an Age-Friendly Community Commercial Complex Environment in Shanghai

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between community commercial center spaces and elderly behavior, focusing on governance mechanisms that shape these spaces and their impact on enhancing elderly life and the community environment. Field research was conducted in the ‘Guohe 1000’ community commercial project in Shanghai, targeting individuals aged 60 and above with independent mobility, including wheelchair users. Through behavioral observation and interviews, both individual and group activities were examined, emphasizing behavioral patterns, spatial domains, and social interactions. Findings reveal that factors such as gender, age, and social networks are positively correlated with the spatial development of community commercial centers. To foster elderly-friendly environments, improvements are needed in utilization balance, secondary activity spaces, age-sensitive design, and operational management. The paper’s novelty lies in two aspects: first, it broadens research into community commercial centers by tracing the construction process of spatial forms; second, it applies environmental behaviorism and environmental gerontology frameworks to integrate individual and collective elderly behaviors into systematic data collection and quantitative analysis. Together, these insights contribute to more inclusive strategies for designing and managing community commercial complexes that support active aging and enhance urban social sustainability.

1. Introduction

Currently, China is undergoing the largest and fastest population ageing process in the world. Against this social backdrop, how to create a safe, convenient, and vibrant living environment for the large elderly population has become an important issue facing urban development and social governance. Since the daily lives and social activities of the vast majority of elderly people are highly dependent on their community environment, building ‘elderly-friendly communities’ is not only a core strategy for actively addressing population aging but also a key factor in improving the quality of life and social well-being of the elderly [1]. This study is based on this premise, focusing on community commerce as a special and important spatial carrier, to explore its role and strategies in the creation of elderly-friendly environments.

1.1. China’s Aging Population Is Becoming Increasingly Severe

According to the seventh national census data, as of 2021, the population aged 65 and above in China was approximately 264 million, accounting for 18.70% of the total population [2]. China is currently the only country in the world with over 200 million elderly people. According to the United Nations’ population projections, China will remain the country with the largest elderly population in the world for the foreseeable future. The China Development Foundation’s ‘China Development Report 2020: Trends and Policies in China’s Population Ageing’ predicts that by 2035 and 2050, the number of people aged 65 and above in China will reach 310 million and nearly 380 million, respectively, representing 22.3% and 27.9% of the total population [2].

Social aging is not merely a change in surface data; it also brings about multifaceted social issues. For instance, as the degree of social aging deepens, the significant increase in the retired population, the growing proportion of the elderly population, and the resulting increased fiscal pressure on the state, as well as the decline in social vitality and the reduction in the labor force, all pose challenges. For the elderly population, the role of family-based elderly care continues to weaken. Such drawbacks have already begun to emerge in developed countries like Europe and the United States. This profound demographic shift poses unprecedented challenges and demands on community spaces and service facilities, which serve as the primary venues for the daily lives of the elderly.

1.2. Age-Friendly Communities

In 2005, the World Health Organization launched the Age-Friendly Cities Project in 33 cities worldwide and first introduced the concept of an age-friendly city [3]. Subsequently, governments in Western countries such as the United States and Canada began using the term ‘age-friendly community’ in policy documents.

Due to societal concern over elderly care issues, the state has proposed a ‘9073’ social elderly care system based on ‘family-centered, community-supported, and institutionally backed’ principles [4]. The ‘9073’ elderly care framework determines the concept of ‘aging in place.’ The “9073” elderly care model is also known as the national ‘9073’ project. As early as the 11th Five-Year Plan, Shanghai was the first to propose the ‘9073’ elderly care model, which stipulates that 90% of the elderly are cared for by their families through home-based elderly care; 7% of the elderly receive community-based home elderly care services, including daytime care; and 3% of the elderly receive institutional elderly care services. The universality, widespread nature, and urgency of ‘aging in place’ also determine that communities are important spatial carriers for elderly care services. In December 2020, the National Health Commission and other departments jointly issued the ‘Notice on the Creation of National Model Elderly-Friendly Communities,’ proposing that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, cities should focus on six aspects—elderly living environment, daily travel, social participation, spiritual and cultural life, elderly service quality, and technological advancement—to create community environments, explore elderly-friendly community creation models, and establish long-term mechanisms [5]. By 2025, 5000 national model elderly-friendly communities will be established, and by 2035, all urban and rural communities nationwide will generally meet the standards for elderly-friendly communities. Under this mainstream ‘ageing in place’ model, communities are no longer merely places of residence but also serve multiple functions such as elderly living services, social interaction, and emotional support. Among these, the level of aging-friendly adaptation of community commerce directly impacts whether the ‘elderly-friendly’ concept can be truly implemented.

1.3. Community Commercial Restructuring and Transformation

With the development of urbanization, people’s consumption levels are increasing, and consumption concepts and structures are changing. Large comprehensive commercial districts are no longer the only choice, and more and more residents are focusing on ‘last mile’ community commerce, with demand continuing to rise. In developed countries, community commerce retail sales can account for 40–60% of total social retail sales, while in China it is currently only around 30% (

Table 1. Development of Community Commerce in China from 2005 to 2020 (Unit: 100 million square meters).

Year	Operating Area	Operating Area Share	Sales Share
2005	2.24	53.59%	31.41%
2018	3.35	56.88%	32.87%
2011	4.19	57.32%	37.71%
2014	5.18	57.56%	38.89%
2017	6.60	59.95%	40.16%
2022	7.72	63.07%	43.16%

Data source: China Statistics Network.

), leaving huge room for development [4].

Since 2012, the development orientation of community commerce in China has undergone a significant transformation. According to research by Teramoto Atsuo [6], 75% of the elderly population can accept a walking distance of 1.5 km for shopping, while among those aged 75 and above, 20% can only accept a distance of 100 m. They constitute the primary user group of community commerce, which also serves as the basic venue for the elderly’s daily life and social interactions.

Under the requirements of elderly-friendly development in China, exploring age-friendly adaptations for community commercial centers in cities represents a resource-efficient and highly convenient development path. On one hand, existing community commercial centers should undergo continuous optimization of their spatial layout. On the other hand, newly constructed community commercial centers should innovate their models based on lessons learned from past experiences. Meanwhile, overseas practices in updating age-friendly models for community commercial centers have already made significant progress, and the success of numerous actual projects has validated the feasibility of this approach.

The multi-tiered community commercial system currently under construction has made modern community commercial complexes a new growth point. They are not only functional amenities for communities but also extensions of community life. By offering spaces that better align with consumer preferences, business formats that better meet consumer needs, and services that better resonate with consumer psychology, and by continuously establishing ‘emotional connections’ with consumers, community commercial centers can transition from being mere ‘commercial centers’ to ‘lifestyle centers.’

However, in the process of rapid development and seeking transformation and upgrading of community commerce, the genuine needs and behavioral patterns of one of its core user groups—the elderly—often receive insufficient attention and lack in-depth, refined research. Existing research has certain gaps. On one hand, while there are numerous initiatives at the macro level for the construction of elderly-friendly communities, there is a lack of micro-level design guidelines based on observations of the actual behavior of the elderly within specific commercial spaces. On the other hand, commercial planning often focuses on consumer spending power, neglecting the social value of commercial spaces as important mediators for promoting social interaction and healthy living among the elderly.

Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap. Through empirical research on the typical community commercial complex ‘Guohe 1000’ in Shanghai, it innovatively applies environmental behavior theory and quantitative analysis methods to deeply explore the actual behavioral characteristics, activity types, and spatial preferences of the elderly within commercial spaces. Based on this, the study proposes targeted and actionable strategies for creating elderly-friendly environments, aiming to provide theoretical references and practical pathways for promoting inclusive development in China’s community commerce sector, ultimately achieving a win-win outcome for both commercial and social value.

2. Preview Literature on the Topic

To clearly define the theoretical foundation and research gaps of this study, this article will review existing literature in the relevant field from the following three perspectives: first, we will examine studies on the behavioral activities of the elderly to understand the activity characteristics and needs of the elderly population, the core subject of this study; second, we will explore consumer behavior space theory to provide a theoretical framework for subsequent analysis of the interaction between the elderly and commercial spaces; Finally, it will focus on research into the aging-friendly development of community commercial complexes, clarifying the progress and limitations of current practical explorations, thereby precisely identifying the entry point and contribution value of this study.

2.1. Related Theoretical Research

2.1.1. Research on the Behavioral Activities of the Elderly

Since the 1980s, Western scholars have conducted extensive surveys on the daily activities of the elderly and categorized them into three main types: leisure behavior, shopping behavior, and medical behavior [7,8,9,10,11,12]. Shopping behavior is mainly related to the purchase of daily necessities, vegetables, fruits, and other essentials; leisure behavior can be subdivided into socializing, exercise, games, and other group activities; healthcare-seeking behavior mainly refers to medical treatment and related services.

Key findings from research based on these categories include the following. Individual characteristics of the elderly—such as health, age, marital status, income status, and family structure—have a significant impact on their consumption behavior [13,14]. The outdoor activity spaces and shopping environments within the communities where the elderly reside are also major factors influencing their shopping behavior [15,16]. Other studies show that there are differences in the scope of shopping activities between the elderly and the non-elderly, with the latter group having a significantly broader shopping range [17]. Additionally, surveys indicate that family structure and marital status exert a significant influence on the shopping behavior of the elderly [13,14].

In summary, existing research primarily employs theoretical studies and field surveys to define the diverse leisure and shopping activities of the elderly. From temporal and spatial perspectives, it further elucidates the mechanisms shaping these activity characteristics and explores the main influencing factors. However, most studies are either macro-level summaries or analyzes of specific behaviors (such as shopping), with limited detailed observation and quantitative analysis of more complex and non-consumption-oriented activities (such as socializing, resting, and caring for grandchildren) in community commercial centers [18,19,20]. Consequently, the available data are often insufficient or overly general, making it difficult to design reasonable and humanized solutions tailored to actual needs.

2.1.2. Consumer Behavior Space Theory

In 1968, the publication of Consumer Behavior marked the establishment of this independent discipline. Consumers satisfy their needs by selecting, acquiring, using, or disposing of a particular good or service. The psychological activities and external manifestations involved in this process, including the decision-making process that generates behavior, are collectively referred to as consumer behavior. Subsequently, a group of scholars emerged in the field of commercial space research, analyzing the impact of consumer behavior on the organization of commercial spaces from the perspective of consumer needs. Rushton proposed the behavior–space model, arguing that behavior is the way in which actors make preference choices using various perceptions, and that behavior and spatial structure are mutually dependent, with changes in one inevitably leading to changes in the other [21]. Subsequent studies have extended this behavioral perspective to specific demographic groups, particularly older adults. Teller et al. [15] highlighted that the attractiveness of city-center shopping environments for elderly consumers depends not only on functional and economic factors but also on comfort, safety, and opportunities for social interaction. Similarly, Michael et al. [16] identified malls and other indoor public spaces as important age-friendly walking environments, emphasizing the role of safety, affordability, and convenience in shaping seniors’ spatial behavior.

The behavioral school’s theories emphasize that the planning and development of community commercial centers must consider the income, education level, occupational structure, behavioral characteristics, and multi-purpose needs of the consumers they serve [22]. Research in this direction primarily revolves around the economic attributes of community commercial centers—supplementing consumer behavior theory through behavioral analysis within commercial spaces. For the elderly, a key vulnerable group within communities, community commercial centers should not only seek to maximize economic benefits but also serve as venues supporting daily activities and facilitating community interactions [23]. Studies have shown that maintaining social participation and connections can significantly reduce loneliness and help preserve cognitive functions among older adults, especially under conditions of social isolation [24,25].

However, classical consumer behavior theory often assumes a rational decision-maker model where “consumption” is the primary objective, which struggles to explain the elderly population’s extensive “low consumption, long stay, and heavy social interaction” behavior in community commerce [26,27] (Figure 1). As a result, elderly-friendly community commercial centers have not developed widely despite the growing elderly population [28].

2.2. Community Commercial Complexes and Age-Friendly Development

The concept of community commercial complexes is derived from the intersection of the concepts of commercial complexes and community commerce, thus sharing common characteristics with both while also possessing unique traits [29]. As a key service node within the 15 min living circle, the uniqueness of community commercial complexes is manifested in their distinct target audience, making precise customer segmentation a primary focus for future development.

There is a close connection between the elderly and community commercial complexes. Related research has primarily analyzed the community center (or neighborhood center) model from multiple perspectives, including spatial scale, the entire construction and operation process, and all stages, and has further proposed construction models and operational management recommendations adapted to China’s local context. One study summarized and categorized the spatial characteristics of community commercial centers through on-site surveys, and explained them from the perspective of consumer behavior and psychology [30], describing the needs of community residents. This research provides a foundational reference for the design of age-friendly commercial spaces within the 15 min living circle. Another study examined customer behavior and spatial layout in shopping centers from the perspective of consumer behavior [31]. The study found that consumer stay behavior distribution is constrained by various functional and spatial elements: the characteristics of the behavior itself determine its characteristics in terms of planning, time, and consumption, and this conclusion is more pronounced among the elderly, as their daily activities are primarily concentrated within the 15 min living circle. A case study of Nanjing Xuanwu District further explored the spatial types and service benefits of urban community centers [32]. The study found that different community center spaces have their own characteristics, advantages, and issues. This research provides practical guidance for the age-friendly functional configuration of community commercial complexes within the 15 min living circle.

Although the aforementioned studies provide valuable macro-level insights and practical references for the age-friendly renovation of community commerce, there is still room for further exploration. Research on elderly behavior spaces within the field of architecture in China has a relatively short history, and studies from an elderly behavior space perspective are still in their early stages [33]. Existing research primarily focuses on spatial form categorization or functional configuration recommendations. However, there is a lack of quantitative data supported by long-term, high-density field observations to address deeper ‘human-environment’ interaction relationships, such as ‘how specific spaces influence specific elderly behaviors’ and ‘what differences exist in spatial usage among different types of elderly groups (e.g., gender, age group, whether caring for grandchildren)’. In terms of addressing population aging and creating commercial environments more suitable for the elderly in terms of physical space and development/operational environments, there is still a certain gap compared to more developed countries. Optimizing community commercial complexes for aging-friendly development based on the 15 min living circle will become an important trend in the future.

In the international academic community, research on the relationship between elderly behavior and the environment has already formed a relatively systematic theoretical framework, providing reference for China’s exploration of aging-friendly community commercial complexes.

In recent years, the emergence of environmental gerontology has provided a solid theoretical foundation for research on the behavior and spatial patterns of older adults [27]. One study noted that environmental gerontology is an interdisciplinary field of study that examines the adaptive behaviors and patterns of older adults in various physical and social environments. Another emphasized that this field has developed a comprehensive theoretical and methodological framework since the latter half of the 20th century, focusing on explaining older adults’ cognitive processes, perceptions, and social interactions within spatial environments. Further research approached the topic from the perspective of ‘meaningful places,’ arguing that older adults’ dependence on and sense of belonging to everyday activity spaces are key entry points for understanding spatial needs in an aging society [34]. These studies provide theoretical references for the creation of age-friendly spaces in community commercial complexes.

Meanwhile, related research in environmental behavior studies has continued to deepen. Studies have emphasized the mutually constructive relationship between the environment and behavior, with the spatial environment not only serving as the backdrop for behavior but also as a catalyst for behavioral patterns and social relationships [35]. Other research further reveals that the behavioral characteristics of ‘living between buildings’ in public spaces are particularly critical for the social interaction and physical and mental health of the elderly [22]. The theory of environmental perception and behavioral decision-making also provides methodological support for understanding the behavioral choices of older adults in community commercial spaces [20].

In studies on social interaction and health among older adults, scholars generally agree that spatial environments and social networks have a profound impact on the health of older adults. Research has found that social isolation and loneliness significantly increase the risk of illness among the elderly, while public spaces and commercial complexes can mitigate this risk to some extent [36]. Another study further noted that during special periods such as the pandemic, promoting social connection through community and commercial space design is an important means of improving the quality of life for the elderly [37]. Longitudinal research has shown that active participation in social and community activities helps delay cognitive decline in the elderly [38]. Thus, community commercial complexes not only serve consumption and service functions in aging-friendly development but also act as important vehicles for maintaining social interaction and mental health.

From an international perspective, research on the relationship between the environment and consumer behavior has yielded abundant results in commercial space planning. Some studies revealed the coupling relationship between consumer attributes and the hierarchical system of shopping centers [39], while others pointed out that environmental elements in commercial spaces can significantly influence consumers’ stay behavior and consumption experiences [40]. When applied to the elderly population, these theories suggest that factors such as spatial scale, environmental cues, and information accessibility directly influence the usage behavior of the elderly in community commercial complexes. In contrast, research on the aging-friendly adaptation of community commercial complexes in the context of China’s aging population is still in its infancy [41]. How to combine international experience with local needs for exploration remains an important issue to be addressed in the future.

Therefore, future research should draw on international theoretical achievements while grounding itself in China’s demographic aging and the reality of 15 min living circle development, to explore age-friendly pathways for community commercial complexes with local characteristics.

3. Study Area and Methods

To empirically investigate the research questions outlined in the previous sections, this section establishes the methodological foundation of the study. This section is structured in three parts. First, it justifies the selection of Shanghai as the research city by detailing its significant aging population and mature community commercial environment. Second, it describes the specific research design and data sources, including the criteria for selecting the ‘Guohe 1000’ project as the case study and the year-long data collection process. Finally, it presents the systematic analytical framework, outlining the step-by-step methods used for data collection, analysis, and strategy formulation.

3.1. Site Selection for the Study

Taking into account the demographic characteristics, community development, and commercial growth of cities across China, this study has selected Shanghai as the research city. This section provides a brief overview of its demographic structure and the development trajectory of community commercial complexes.

Population is the most fundamental element of urban development. As early as 1982, the proportion of Shanghai’s population aged 60 and above reached 11.5%, making it the first city in China to enter an aging society and the city with the highest degree of ageing.

3.1.1. Shanghai Exhibits Pronounced Aging Characteristics

As of the end of 2020, the number of elderly residents aged 60 and above in Shanghai’s permanent population was 5.8155 million, accounting for 23.4% of the total population (Figure 2), which is 4.68 percentage points higher than the national average. It is projected that by 2025, the number of elderly residents aged 60 and above in the city will exceed 6.8 million.

3.1.2. Overview of the Development of Community Commercial Complexes

Shanghai is the city with the highest concentration of shopping centers in China. Currently, according to data from Market Analyzer, as of the fourth quarter of 2024, there are more than 130 community commercial complexes in Shanghai (Figure 3), which are distributed radially from the central urban area to the five new cities, with their numbers gradually decreasing. The central urban area has the most complexes in Pudong New Area and Huangpu District, while the five new cities have the most complexes in Jiading District and Songjiang District.

3.2. Research Design and Data Sources

In the early stages of the study, a preliminary survey and selection of community commercial complexes in various regions of Shanghai were conducted, with the following key considerations: (1) the urban area in which the complex is located; (2) the degree of aging among the surrounding community residents; (3) the operational status of the community commercial complex; (4) whether the complex integrates community elderly care services and businesses related to the elderly; (5) The proportion of elderly individuals among the user population. After a comprehensive multi-dimensional assessment, the ‘Guohe 1000’ project, which is well-established, has a high proportion of elderly users, and is the most representative, was selected as the research subject for in-depth analysis.

To ensure the reliability and comprehensiveness of the research conclusions, this study established a one-year, multi-dimensional, cross-cycle composite data collection framework. All data were sourced from three rounds of surveys conducted on the ‘Guohe 1000’ project between October 2020 and October 2021, including a pre-survey, formal survey, and supplementary survey. The preliminary survey aimed to familiarize researchers with the site characteristics and preliminarily identify hotspots and peak times for elderly activities. The formal survey served as the core data source for this study, with all-day on-site surveys conducted on selected cases during typical workdays, weekends, and public holidays to capture differences in elderly behavior patterns across different time periods. The final supplementary survey targeted specific phenomena or questions identified in the initial data analysis, involving additional on-site observations and interviews.

In the collection of micro-level behavioral data, this study adopted a combined approach of the classic ‘behavioral follow-up method’ and ‘behavioral field note method.’ Each elderly individual was tracked in-depth, with continuous observation and recording of their gender, age composition, and behavioral content within the site. Given that the elderly have a relatively limited range of activities and that the same behavior persists for extended periods, observations were conducted at five-minute intervals. The behavioral content, locations where they lingered, and activity states of the research subjects were precisely marked on a 1:1 scaled architectural floor plan, forming a visualized spatial-temporal path diagram. This recording method, rooted in the real physical space, is more time-consuming and labor-intensive than relying on online big data or sensors. However, its advantage lies in its ability to capture rich contextual information, informal social interactions, and the subtle, fleeting relationships between people and their environment—aspects that online data cannot present. This provides a solid and ‘textured’ first-hand data foundation for subsequent analysis. Private behaviors such as using the restroom are only recorded in terms of frequency and duration.

3.3. Research Methods and Analytical Framework

This study established a systematic analytical framework from data collection to strategy formulation, comprising the following three steps:

3.3.1. Field Survey and Mapping

Community commercial complexes with good operational status and user satisfaction were selected as the research subjects. In the preliminary survey, photographs were taken of the internal spaces of the community commercial complexes, and precise measurements were taken of the floor plans, facility locations, furniture types, and distributions to construct a detailed spatial database. This laid the foundation for subsequent precise correspondence analysis between elderly behavior data and specific spatial elements (Figure 4).

3.3.2. Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Spatiotemporal Behavior

To generate the spatiotemporal data for analysis, a continuous tracking survey was conducted. In this method, researchers discreetly followed 33 elderly individuals throughout their entire visit to the commercial complex. Using a scaled architectural floor plan and a stopwatch, the researcher mapped each participant’s movement in real time, tracing their precise trajectory on the plan while marking every stop or lingering point along with the corresponding arrival and departure times. At the same time, all observed activities were documented and later coded into discrete behavioral events based on a predefined categorization scheme (e.g., ‘B1’ for conversation, ‘C1’ for resting, ‘E1’ for childcare). This process produced 498 coded events, each tied to a specific time and location. The dataset was then analyzed quantitatively by calculating the frequency and duration of each behavioral category and subcategory, enabling statistical comparisons across different demographics and spatial types. In addition, brief unstructured interviews were conducted with willing participants to capture qualitative insights into their motivations and perceptions.

The non-structured brief interviews mentioned were conducted separately from the primary task of tracking and mapping to avoid observer interference and ensure data accuracy. These interviews were not conducted for all 498 behavioral events, but rather with a subset of the 33 tracked participants. The process was opportunistic: after completing an observation session with a participant, or during a prolonged period of rest where their activity was static, the researcher would approach them, explain the research, and ask if they were willing to share their thoughts. A total of 15 participants agreed to these brief, conversational interviews. While a formal data saturation protocol was not the primary aim for this supplementary data, the qualitative notes were analyzed thematically. It was observed that after approximately 12 interviews, key themes concerning spatial comfort, social motivations, and reasons for choosing specific resting spots began to consistently recur, suggesting a strong convergence of the main qualitative insights.

Building on the data collection framework detailed previously, this section presents a comprehensive analysis of the quantitative and qualitative results, with the aim of understanding the core needs and pain points of the elderly population in their use of community commercial spaces. Finally, it summarized and proposed systematic strategies for creating elderly-friendly community commercial spaces.

4. Analysis and Results

This section constitutes the core empirical component of the study. Based on the aforementioned one-year, cross-cycle systematic data collection framework, this section will conduct multi-level quantitative and qualitative analyzes of the 498 sets of micro-level behavioral data and related interview materials obtained from the elderly population, focusing on two dimensions: ‘behavioral content’ and ‘spatial distribution.’ The aim is to deeply reveal the actual activity patterns of the elderly population in the specific context of community commercial complexes and to analyze the underlying ‘human-environment’ interaction mechanisms.

4.1. Spatio-Temporal Characteristics of Elderly People’s Behavior Patterns

4.1.1. Venue Usage Time Slots

To investigate the temporal patterns of elderly individuals’ use of the premises, researchers conducted fixed-point scanning statistics at one-hour intervals on multiple typical days (including weekdays and weekends) to count the number of elderly individuals on each floor and their gender ratios. This data was ultimately used to create a temporal dynamic diagram of premises usage.

Based on the combined analysis of Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8, the use of the facility by the elderly exhibits a distinct tidal pattern and multi-peak characteristics. The public spaces on the first and fourth floors each experience an activity peak at 10:30 and 3:30, respectively, while after 7:30 elderly activity virtually ceases, clearly defining the core functional time period of the community commercial space as the elderly’s “daytime living room.” Furthermore, the figures illustrate gender differences in usage, revealing a significant imbalance, with male elderly individuals substantially outnumbered by female elderly individuals within the premises. Even at the narrowest gap, the male-to-female ratio approaches 1:4, suggesting that services and spatial design targeting female elderly individuals may hold greater practical significance. The peak usage times for different floors are closely aligned with the functional characteristics of the businesses: the third floor, which houses children’s training facilities, experiences peak activity that perfectly aligns with the times when grandparents pick up or drop off their grandchildren (11:30 and 16:30).

As shown in the total number change curve in Figure 9, the overall number of people staying in the facility exhibits a significant ‘V’-shaped decline during lunch (12:00–13:00) and dinner (17:30–18:30) periods due to home-based dining and household chores. This pattern captured by the diagrams highlights that Shanghai’s elderly population relies heavily on community commercial spaces for daytime social and recreational activities, while the demand for dining consumption within these spaces remains relatively low.

4.1.2. Behavioral Categories of Older Adults

To gain a deeper understanding of older adults’ site-specific activities, this study conducted in-depth behavioral tracking of 33 participants. These individuals were selected across eight representative survey days between October 2020 and October 2021 (see Figure 10 for sample composition) using a stratified random sampling method to ensure the sample reflected the diversity of the user population. The stratification was based on key variables identified in preliminary surveys: age group (60–69, 70–79, 80+), gender, and apparent purpose of visit (e.g., solitary individuals versus those actively accompanying grandchildren). On each survey day, researchers would randomly select participants for tracking from the available pool of individuals who fit these predefined strata. This process generated a dataset of 498 discrete behavioral events. Among the 33 participants, 17 were women and 16 were men, enabling comparative analyzes of behavioral patterns by gender.

The categorization scheme for the 498 behavioral events was not arbitrary but was adapted from established frameworks in environmental psychology and studies of public life, which differentiate activities based on their level of necessity and social engagement [44]. Based on our observations, we defined the categories as follows: (1) Leisure activities: Optional, self-chosen recreational engagements (e.g., reading, playing games on a phone). (2) Social activities: Direct interaction with others (e.g., conversation, greeting). (3) Contemplative activities: Passive engagement with the environment (e.g., people-watching, resting). (4) Mobility behavior: The act of moving through a space to get from one point to another. (5) Essential behavior: Necessary physiological activities (e.g., using the restroom, eating). (6) Household behavior: This category was created to classify domestic-related tasks performed in a public setting. In the context of our study, this almost exclusively referred to the active supervision and care of grandchildren, such as helping them with activities, managing their belongings, or taking them to the restroom.

By coding and categorizing these 498 behavioral events (as shown in Figure 11), the study was able to accurately map out the behavioral patterns of the elderly population in community commerce. Overall, the proportion of behavioral content, from highest to lowest, was as follows: leisure activities (26.51%), social activities (25.90%), contemplative activities (18.88%), mobility behavior (13.25%), household behavior (10.24%), essential behavior (5.02%), and transactional behavior (only 0.20%). This data structure challenges the traditional perception of commercial spaces centered on ‘transactions,’ decisively demonstrating that the primary function of community commerce for the elderly is to provide public spaces for socializing and leisure, with the consumption aspect significantly diminished.

4.1.3. Comparative Analysis of Behavioral Content

To explore behavioral differences between different subgroups, this study conducted a gender-based deconstruction analysis of the data. In terms of major behavioral categories (Figure 12), the data showed that the average number of behavioral events for elderly women was significantly higher than that for men, quantitatively confirming that women spent more time on average within the premises. A key commonality is that, regardless of gender, behavioral patterns are dominated by leisure and social activities, with similar numbers for both; a significant difference is that in household-related behaviors (primarily caring for grandchildren) and necessary behaviors (such as using the restroom), the number of women is far greater than that of men, aligning with traditional societal role perceptions of gender division of labor.

In the comparison of 16 micro-behavioral subcategories (Figure 13 and Figure 14), the differences are even more pronounced. The behavioral distribution of elderly women is more balanced, centered around ‘conversation’ (29.70%) and supplemented by ‘hobbies and interests’ (19.14%), exhibiting a diversified characteristic. In contrast, the behavioral patterns of elderly men are highly concentrated on “conversation” (26.11%) and ‘reading and watching media’ (22.78%), resulting in a relatively monotonous behavioral pattern.

4.2. Spatial Choice and Environmental Interaction Analysis of Elderly Behavior

The previous section analyzed ‘what to do’ and ‘when to do it.’ This section will focus on ‘where to do it.’ By introducing spatial elements, 498 behavioral events were precisely mapped onto architectural floor plans to explore the deep connections between temporal and spatial behaviors and reveal elderly preferences for different spatial types and the underlying environmental factors driving these preferences.

Survey of Spatial Distribution of Elderly Behavior

By categorizing and statistically analyzing the spatial attributes of all behavior locations (Figure 15), the results show that nearly half (44.58%) of the behavior occurred in ‘furniture spaces’ (i.e., areas with seating, tables, etc.). Next were open spaces (32.73%), transportation spaces (12.05%), and public green spaces (10.64%). This data demonstrates that furniture, particularly seating for rest, is the core physical element attracting and anchoring elderly behavior.

To visualize the intensity of space utilization, the elderly’s behavior was mapped spatially as shown in Figure 16. This spatial annotation map illustrates the cumulative dwell time in different locations: the larger the circular area, the longer the total time spent by elderly individuals in that spot. This method provides an intuitive visual summary of the most frequently and intensely used spaces.

The results show that elderly activities are highly concentrated in the non-retail spaces on the third and fourth floors. While some areas on the first and second floors are utilized, overall participation is limited, with most spaces lacking elderly presence. Specifically, on the first floor, the primary usage areas are concentrated around the main entrance, including the seating area inside the ‘Le Kaise’ store, outdoor seating at the tea shop, and portions of the main walkway; The second floor is primarily for dining, with elderly individuals primarily staying in the outdoor terrace and public rest areas during non-dining hours, and occasionally waiting outside the door during mealtimes; the third floor, due to the concentration of children’s training facilities, sees elderly individuals frequently lingering in the seating areas outside the training classrooms, with some participating in the open-air children’s play area to accompany or observe their grandchildren; the fourth floor, with its stage and public activity areas, becomes the area where elderly individuals spend the most time and where activities are most concentrated (Figure 17).

The comprehensive survey results are analyzed as follows:

① The content and composition of behavioral activities vary among older adults of different genders and physical conditions. Female older adults engage in a greater variety of activity types than male older adults, and specific differences may fluctuate depending on environmental changes. ② Whether older adults care for their grandchildren directly influences the composition of their behavioral activities, determining whether their behavior is spontaneous or guided by children’s behavior. ③ The spatial composition of a venue can influence the behavior of older adults and their choice of location. Furniture spaces are the necessary foundation for many types of behavior and are the most frequently used spaces by older adults, while open spaces can give rise to a more diverse range of behavioral types.

Based on the results of the above analysis, three core factors influencing elderly people’s spatial choices have been identified:

(1)

Publicness

Social activities that promote aggregation can enhance elderly people’s social interactions, and the ability to generate such aggregative behavior largely depends on the publicness of the space. This includes the functional attributes of the space (private, public), its size, and whether potential consumption activities are present. Spaces that are more public and free from consumption align with elderly people’s activity needs. (height-to-width ratio), openness (indoor, semi-outdoor, outdoor), enclosure level (fully open, semi-enclosed, fully enclosed), and enclosure methods (door partitions, window partitions, furniture partitions, etc.).

(2)

Accessibility

The accessibility of a space is an effective facilitator of behavior. It includes the distance to the space (horizontal distance from the entrance/exit, vertical number of floors), and the means of access (stairs, elevators, escalators, ramps, corridors, etc.). From the distribution map of elderly residents’ stay spaces, it can be seen that the overall popularity of the first-floor space is lower than that of the fourth floor. However, in long-term tracking surveys, it was found that long-term users of the fourth-floor activity space transferred their activity locations after the first-floor shops were opened to the public for free. This also indirectly confirms the elderly’s demand for public spaces.

(3)

Comfort

Whether the spatial environment is comfortable and healthy is also crucial for the elderly. This includes physical environmental factors such as the orientation of the space (whether it faces south), temperature, and ventilation conditions (whether it is naturally ventilated). The survey found that the usage of the second-floor semi-outdoor terrace is significantly influenced by seasons. Shanghai has high humidity, leading to extremely uncomfortable outdoor conditions during summer and winter throughout the year. Almost no elderly people stay or engage in activities here, except during the evenings of spring, autumn, and summer when a large number of elderly people gather here to cool off and rest.

4.3. Social Groups and Space Utilization

Social groups refer to groups of multiple elderly individuals who directly participate in various activities, adjusting their behavior over time and in response to environmental changes. Research has found that social groups among the elderly are not static; their formation purposes, social relationships among members, and personality differences among members all influence the composition of social groups and the content of their activities. Proximity in spatial distance is a necessary condition for the formation of social groups, but it is by no means the only condition. The formation of social groups among the elderly is based on shared or similar behavioral objectives and consensus on ambiguous rules. For example, in scenarios where the elderly are caring for their grandchildren, even if a large number of elderly individuals gather in the same space, they often focus on the children individually and lack interaction, reflecting the selectivity and complexity of group formation (Figure 18).

4.3.1. Types of Social Interaction Among the Elderly

Based on indicators such as dwell time, duration of social interaction, frequency of interaction, and number of interaction partners, a cluster analysis was conducted on 24 valid samples in 5 min intervals, ultimately yielding five types of social interaction (

Table 2. Characteristics of social interaction among older adults.

Type	Characteristics
Cluster Type	It forms a fixed group with specific elderly people that has a strong group and spatial domain, and is often difficult to join.
Glass Group Type	Due to repeated exchanges and constant familiarity with one another, there is a tendency to form a group; however, the relationship between members remains relatively weak, yet still exhibits a strong sense of openness and inclusiveness.
Extensive Type	Actively interact with various elderly individuals in the venue who possess strong communication and social skills.
Selective Type	According to personal interests or purposes, choose the same or similar behavior of the elderly to interact, but due to the lack of continuous and stable communication, there is no trend towards the formation of groups.
Personal Type	There was little or no interaction with other elderly people during activities in the venue, and there was no tendency to form groups, just acting alone or watching others.

): group-oriented, quasi-group-oriented, broad-based, selective, and individual-oriented. This classification reveals a continuum ranging from stable, closed groups to completely independent individuals, reflecting the diversity and fluidity of older adults’ social states.

4.3.2. Composition of Social Groups

During the concentrated observation period from 19 January to 6 October 2020, a total of 25 elderly people in six groups were observed (Figure 19). This included five men and 11 women, with 16 elderly people aged 60–69, five aged 70–79, and four aged 80–89.

Based on the classification of social interaction types among older adults described above, we analyzed the composition of the six social groups and examined the division of roles among individuals within the groups to reveal the synergies and tensions between individuals and groups. We then combined this with the spatial utilization characteristics of social groups to explore the driving factors behind their choice of venues.

Figure 20 shows the distribution of interaction types among social groups. The results indicate that social groups can be viewed as dynamic systems that evolve over time, with individual behavior and social status continuously adapting in an interdependent manner. It is worth noting that members of the system maintain a certain degree of independence and self-awareness while sustaining group connections. Therefore, even within the same social group, the interaction types of older adults often vary. Except for Group 5, which exhibits a homogeneous ‘group-type’ pattern (Group 6 is a special case, as detailed below), the remaining groups generally present a structure where multiple interaction types coexist.

Overall, the primary interaction types among the elderly are group-type and selective-type. Larger social groups may include members with a wider range of interaction types, but there is no direct correlation between the size of a social group and the types of interactions it encompasses. Smaller social groups facilitate more frequent communication, thereby strengthening emotional connections. From the perspective of member roles, broadly oriented elderly individuals can serve as core roles within social groups, creating more interaction opportunities to enhance the enthusiasm of other members. Selective members join other individuals or groups based on personal preferences.

4.3.3. Implications in the Context of Commercial Complexes

Based on the context of community commercial complexes, three conclusions can be drawn:

① Due to the community attributes of commercial complexes, their user base is relatively fixed, showing high overlap across different seasons and months. ② Within the same social group, the behavioral content and venue choices of the elderly are influenced by the group’s composition and other members. ③ The personality, life background, and purpose of visiting the commercial complex all influence the type of social interaction, and these factors are unrelated to age or gender.

This series of analyses indicates that elderly social groups are a system that combines stability and dynamism, with spatial utilization and social relationships intertwined. To enhance community cohesion, commercial complexes should provide flexible spaces for different social types in their spatial design, satisfying the stable needs of fixed groups while also supporting open communication among broad-type and selective-type individuals.

5. Discussion and Conclusions

This study systematically revealed the actual behavior patterns, spatial preferences, and social characteristics of the elderly population in the ‘Guohe 100’ community commercial complex in Shanghai through field research and quantitative analysis. The findings indicate that the elderly exhibit distinct behavioral characteristics in this space, characterized by ‘prolonged stays, social interaction as the primary focus, and secondary consumption.’ Their activities are highly dependent on informal spaces that are public, accessible, and comfortable, and they have developed diverse social patterns such as group-based and selective interactions. These micro-level findings directly reflect the shortcomings in elderly-friendly design within the current community commercial environment. This section will first discuss the specific issues of the existing environment based on the above core findings, then propose targeted environmental development strategies, and finally summarize the contributions of this study and future prospects.

5.1. Issues with the Current Environment

In community commercial spaces, elderly individuals and children often share the same areas. However, due to differences in activity range and mobility, children—who tend to be more active—dominate the space. This creates potential safety risks for elderly individuals with limited mobility or impaired vision, who may find it difficult to navigate or avoid collisions in such environments.

A notable difference between community commercial complexes in Shanghai and larger city-level complexes is the lack of direct access to public transportation and limited parking facilities. As a result, the elderly rely more on walking to reach these spaces, which increases physical exertion. At the same time, public spaces are often designed with commercial efficiency as the primary goal, leading to insufficient resting facilities and a lack of amenities such as drinking water stations, which are particularly important for elderly users.

In China, it is common for grandparents to take on childcare responsibilities and accompany their grandchildren in public spaces. However, Guohe 100 does not provide sufficient rest facilities in areas intended for elderly care and companionship. Spaces that could support intergenerational interaction and shared activities are also lacking, reducing opportunities for meaningful engagement between the elderly and younger family members.

The commercial formats of Guohe 100 primarily focus on dining and parent–child education, which cater largely to children and young adults with stronger purchasing power. This creates a gap in consumption venues and opportunities tailored to elderly individuals. Such a mismatch is problematic in the context of Shanghai’s rapidly aging population, where demand for age-friendly consumption and activity spaces is steadily growing.

5.2. Recommendations for the Development of an Age-Friendly Community Commercial Complex Environment

Based on the specific issues identified in the ‘Guohe 100’ case study and the conclusions drawn from the data analysis in Section 4, the findings on elderly behavior and spatial utilization reveal the interdependent relationship between elderly behavior and the environment within community commercial complexes. Drawing on the research analysis, this section summarizes the principles for creating an elderly-friendly community commercial complex environment and proposes recommendations for environmental development strategies across dimensions such as business format planning, supporting service facilities, physical spatial environment, and operational management.

5.2.1. Commercial Business Format Planning for the Elderly

Community commercial complexes have the advantage of being within walking distance, enabling them to better serve the elderly population. While focusing on commercial business formats, they should also consider community service-oriented business formats closely related to the elderly and appropriately cater to female needs, such as vegetable retail, catering (breakfast), convenience stores, laundry, beauty salons, recycling, bill payment services, and domestic services. It is also important to consider intergenerational coexistence to enhance the emotional and spiritual needs of the elderly. For example, medical and massage services could be located near or on the same floor as children’s education and training facilities. Such composite business formats align with Shanghai’s aging population trend, enhance the quality and value of commercial services, and achieve a win-win situation for both businesses and customers. To truly compete with non-commercial public spaces like parks, these complexes must offer unique, targeted value. This includes incorporating specific age-friendly commercial formats, such as supermarkets with dedicated senior-friendly services, restaurants offering healthy and easy-to-eat meal options, and accessible wellness and service venues (e.g., physical therapy, social clubs), similar to successful models seen in Taiwan.

5.2.2. Improving Age-Friendly Supporting Facilities

To enhance the comfort and convenience of the elderly within commercial complexes, age-friendly supporting facilities should be added. It is recommended to establish a multi-functional service center near the ground-floor entrance, catering to a wider range of elderly service needs, such as AEDs (automated external defibrillators), emergency medical kits, and shared wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. Additionally, small sub-centers should be evenly distributed across all floors to reduce the need for elderly individuals to retrace their steps to access required services.

Independent third-gender restrooms should be provided to accommodate families with elderly members, offering gender-neutral care facilities.

A more intuitive spatial signage system should be implemented to assist elderly individuals in navigating unfamiliar or complex commercial environments, thereby reducing cognitive barriers to mobility.

5.2.3. Creating Communicative Public Spaces

On the one hand, group activities for the elderly are more influenced by public spaces and their furniture layout. Therefore, the floor plan should be able to accommodate the various behaviors of the elderly. Consideration should be given to appropriately changing the current circular and one-way traffic flow in most commercial spaces to ensure the openness of the space, achieve visual connectivity, and encourage the elderly to gather and engage in various activities.

During spring and summer, spaces that connect indoor and outdoor areas often attract larger crowds and generate a variety of activities. However, in Shanghai, the summer and winter seasons are longer, leading to lower utilization efficiency of outdoor spaces. Combining indoor and outdoor public spaces can enrich elderly people’s activities in all-weather conditions and promote participation and interaction among various groups.

On the other hand, compared to younger people, the elderly in China have lower usage rates of traffic-driving apps, so they require a longer period of consumption guidance. Commercial space environment design can either promote or hinder the behavioral activities of the elderly. By using elements such as low walls, greenery, or furniture to create a soft enclosure between shops and public spaces, the likelihood of the elderly participating in shops and engaging in other consumption activities can be enhanced.

5.2.4. Creating a ‘Family Atmosphere’ in Operations Management

As a highly concentrated spatial type, community commercial complexes serve as important platforms for providing diverse services. Therefore, during the later stages of operations management, it is essential to maintain emotional connections with merchants and residents. This helps elderly individuals feel the warmth of a ‘home’ culture.

With the surge in China’s civil service examination craze and the ongoing trend toward younger grassroots officials, many decision-makers and builders in urban areas are now predominantly young individuals. This shift has, to some extent, led to a lack of consideration for the needs and behavioral patterns of the elderly. Enabling retired seniors in good health to participate in urban renewal and community commercial complex self-governance through appropriate means not only enhances environmental sustainability and spatial efficiency but also boosts their sense of accomplishment and belonging to the community.

5.3. Research Summary, Contributions, and Outlook

(1)

Research Summary

This paper focuses on the core issue of creating an elderly-friendly community commercial environment in the context of China’s rapid aging. Using environmental behavioral science research methods such as behavioral observation, interviews, and spatial mapping, we conducted a one-year empirical investigation of the ‘Guohe 100’ community commercial complex in Shanghai. The study systematically quantified the behavioral types, spatial–temporal distribution characteristics, and social patterns of the elderly, and deeply analyzed the profound influence of spatial elements (such as publicness, accessibility, and comfort) on their behavior, thereby validating the social value of community commerce as an important social venue for the elderly.

(2)

Research Contributions

The contributions of this study are primarily manifested at both the theoretical and practical levels.

On the theoretical level, this study provides empirical data from China at the micro level for the interdisciplinary field of environmental gerontology and architecture. It redefines the elderly from passive ‘service recipients’ to active ‘space users,’ and through a detailed analysis of their actual behavior, enriches the theoretical understanding of the ‘human-environment’ interaction among the elderly, particularly in the specific context of commercial spaces.

At the practical level, this study goes beyond broad aging-friendly initiatives and distils a set of systematic construction strategies covering business types, facilities, spaces and operations. These specific recommendations can directly provide scientific basis for urban planners, architects, commercial real estate developers and community managers in future project planning, design and renovation, promoting the transformation of community commerce from a mere ‘consumption center’ to an inclusive ‘community living center’.

(3)

Research Limitations and Outlook

Despite its contributions, this study has several limitations that must be acknowledged. First, the single-case focus on ‘Guohe 100’ in Shanghai limits the direct generalizability of the findings. While core findings may be transferable to similar high-density urban contexts, they require verification before being applied to different regions. Second, drawing participants from a single site inherently limits the diversity of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds represented, affecting sample representativeness. The behaviors observed may be specific to this neighborhood’s residents. Third, the reliance on observational methods is subject to potential observer bias. Although steps were taken to standardize the coding process, the interpretation of behavior can be subjective, and the minimal recording of private behaviors means certain needs may be unexplored. Finally, the one-year timeframe, while capturing seasonality, could not fully address long-term behavioral changes associated with aging or health status.

Building on the findings and limitations of this study, future research can be deepened in several promising directions. To address the scope limitations, conducting multi-case comparative studies across different cities and regions is essential to test the generalizability of our findings. This could be powerfully combined with the integration of ‘big data’ analytics—such as mobility and transaction data—with qualitative field observations to enhance the scale and representativeness of the results.

To deepen the analytical scope, future research should move beyond observing behaviors to understanding the underlying motivations driving elderly visits, whether for social connection, recreation, or essential services. This is crucial for truly effective age-friendly design. Furthermore, a critical next step is to explore the commercial dimension in greater detail. This involves investigating the nuances of elderly consumption patterns and, crucially, developing innovative and sustainable business models that can support age-friendly facilities. The goal is to achieve a balance between the vital social value these spaces provide and their long-term economic viability, ensuring that community living centers are not only beneficial but also profitable.

Finally, to address methodological limitations, future studies could benefit from triangulating observational data with in-depth surveys to validate findings and reduce bias. Introducing longitudinal studies would also be invaluable for tracking behavioral changes over longer periods, providing a more dynamic assessment of environmental interventions.