Research on Landscape Enhancement Design of Street-Facing Façades and Adjacent Public Spaces in Old Residential Areas: A Commercial Activity Optimization Approach

Abstract

With the ongoing advancement of urbanization, the renewal of old urban areas has emerged as a central front in enhancing urban quality, with street space improvement playing a pivotal role in advancing sustainable urban development. This study focuses on Chengdu, a highly urbanized megacity, employing a combination of multi-point continuous street view photography, spatial mapping, and landscape design interventions to systematically examine human activity patterns, commercial dynamics, and pathways for spatial optimization along the street-facing interfaces of old residential neighborhoods and their adjacent urban streets. The findings reveal that: (1) commercializing the street-facing façades enhances local employment opportunities; (2) window-type fences demonstrate superior adaptability by effectively balancing commercial accessibility with resident safety; and (3) a diverse mix of commercial types sustains the vitality of street-level economies in these areas. These results not only offer actionable spatial strategies for the renovation of old residential zones in Chengdu but also contribute transferable insights for urban regeneration efforts globally.

1. Introduction

According to the World Bank’s “Global Economic Prospects” report, in 2024, the global economic growth rate slowed for the third consecutive year, dropping to 2.4%, lower than 2.6% in 2023. Moreover, the growth rate in 2025 can only rise to 2.7%. Under such circumstances, China’s domestic economic development has entered a new stage, and stimulating market vitality has become a key measure to boost the economy and solve employment problems. At the same time, the economic slowdown has also brought urban construction to an intensive development stage, and the renewal of existing assets will be the main content of urban construction in the present and future period [1,2,3]. With the ongoing economic downturn, expanding employment opportunities has become crucial for maintaining social stability. How can employment be stabilized and citizens’ livelihoods safeguarded in the face of shrinking job markets? Transforming the street-facing interfaces of residential communities into active commercial frontages offers a viable strategy to mitigate urban employment pressures. This study focuses on this adaptive reuse approach as a means to generate local economic opportunities while enhancing public space functionality.

Discussions on topics such as functional renewal, spatial renewal, and industrial transformation in old urban areas during the current “stock era” have increasingly become central themes in urban design research [4,5,6]. The overarching objective is to enhance the urban appearance and quality of life in these areas with minimal investment and disruption, thereby aligning them with the evolving demands of modern economic, social, and cultural development [7,8,9]. Accordingly, the primary focus of stock-based urban renewal has centered on preserving urban memory and cultural context [10], improving the quality of public spaces [11], conserving and revitalizing architectural heritage [12], promoting resource sharing, and fostering spatial openness. However, critical interconnections remain underexplored—particularly the relationship between urban renewal and economic growth, the impact of spatial reconfiguration on commercial vitality, and the balance between open space design and privacy protection. In urban renewal, particularly under current economic conditions, maximizing the creation of employment opportunities is essential. This approach not only enhances the socioeconomic benefits of redevelopment projects but also improves public acceptance and long-term sustainability by increasing citizens’ income and economic resilience. Fortunately, during the renovation and upgrading of old residential areas, our research team identified all three aforementioned relationships. This discovery enabled us to integrate pressing current and future societal challenges—such as declining commercial vitality caused by economic slowdowns, employment difficulties for residents, funding constraints in urban renewal projects, and the lack of spatial dynamism in existing renovations—into a unified research framework. Within this integrated system, these issues can be systematically addressed through spatial strategies. The renovation of old residential neighborhoods is a critical component of urban renewal, in which residents’ financial contributions and willingness to participate are key determinants of success. In the context of economic downturn and declining household incomes, such initiatives face growing implementation challenges due to reduced public capacity and motivation to engage. This study proposes the transformation of street-facing interfaces in old residential areas as a strategic intervention: it can generate local employment opportunities, thereby mitigating the socioeconomic impacts of economic contraction. Moreover, by increasing household income, this approach enhances residents’ willingness to invest in neighborhood upgrading, thus fostering broader support for urban renewal. Consequently, urban renewal, old neighborhood renovation, street-front redevelopment, and job creation form an interdependent system. Through urban spatial design, this research aims to trigger a synergistic chain reaction among these elements, offering a replicable model for integrated urban regeneration that links physical transformation with socioeconomic resilience on a global scale.

Old residential areas represent fundamental living units within old urban districts and constitute a critical component of current and future stock-based urban renewal initiatives [13]. Over the course of long-term research on these areas, functional-driven public space renovation has consistently remained a central focus—particularly studies targeting vulnerable groups with limited mobility, such as the elderly and children [14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22]. These studies have provided clear guidance for advancing human-centered design approaches in the upgrading of old residential communities. Furthermore, old residential areas are increasingly being integrated into the broader framework of urban ecological system construction. These areas achieve environmental improvements through green renovation strategies and sustainable development practices [23,24,25,26]. A growing body of research also focuses on landscape-oriented spatial transformations, including entrance space design [27], public space sharing mechanisms [28], health-oriented redevelopment of underutilized spaces [29], and landscape renovation from a service-oriented perspective [30], all aimed at enhancing the quality of life in old residential communities through improvements in physical infrastructure. However, most of these renovation initiatives rely heavily on government funding and resident contributions, lacking intrinsic financial sustainability. As a result, deteriorating environmental conditions often re-emerge after renovation due to insufficient maintenance funding. To address this challenge, DONG Xuan-xi proposed a “guarantee + promotion + activation” multi-channel financing model that leverages social capital [31], while Guo Weibing et al. suggested introducing commercial functions into the extensive idle spaces within old residential areas to revitalize existing assets and unlock their latent economic potential [32]. While existing research has partially addressed the issue of sustainable development in old residential areas, it fails to establish a clear commercial development model and its corresponding spatial configuration for these areas. Moreover, the potential disruptions caused by commercial activities—both to community life within the residential areas and to urban public activities—remain underexplored. These spatial relationships are inherently embedded in the process of renovating street-facing areas of old residential communities and introducing commercial activities, and they serve as a fundamental prerequisite for the successful implementation of such initiatives. As such, they warrant systematic consideration and full recognition in urban renewal planning. These gaps highlight the limitations of current studies and constitute the core issues that this paper seeks to investigate and address.

With the ongoing advancement of urbanization, old residential areas in central urban zones have increasingly become focal points of urban renewal. A growing number of scholars have directed their attention to strategies and implementation pathways for enhancing the landscape quality of these areas [13]. Based on the impact of soundscapes on residents’ daily lives, researchers have proposed corresponding visual landscape design strategies [33,34,35,36,37,38,39]. Furthermore, studies have explored renovation optimization paths from multiple perspectives—such as construction process management [40], green renovation demands [41,42,43], and resident satisfaction [44,45]—by applying various modeling and algorithmic approaches [40,41,46]. In addition, although several scholars have outlined specific renovation measures including: (1) optimizing elevators and footpaths; (2) decentralizing small-scale businesses and creating multi-functional parking spaces; (3) shortening pedestrian crossings and improving pavement conditions; (4) incorporating natural and cultural elements; and (5) restricting vehicle speeds and installing traffic signals [47,48,49,50], these interventions primarily focus on internal improvements and neglect the critical issue of how old residential areas interface with the broader urban fabric. Therefore, further research addressing this integration dimension is urgently required.

Although research on old residential areas has attracted considerable attention from international scholars, the relationship between their street-facing interfaces and urban boundaries remains underexplored. Kevin Lynch, in The Image of the City, defined urban boundaries as natural or artificial edges that demarcate functional zones, a conceptual framework that clearly positions the street-facing side of old residential neighborhoods as a critical interface between urban traffic space and residential space. However, contemporary studies on urban boundaries predominantly focus on the regulation of historical districts and urban heritage [51,52], constraints on urban growth and expansion fronts [53,54], and ecological dynamics and land-use patterns along peripheral urban edges [55,56]. These efforts largely overlook the distinctive role of internal functional boundaries within cities. This study addresses this gap by investigating how the transformation of street-facing interfaces in old residential areas can enable the integrated and coordinated design of internal urban boundaries, contributing to more cohesive and functionally adaptive urban forms.

In conclusion, the upgrading and renovation of old residential areas constitute a critical component of contemporary urban renewal efforts in megacities. However, contemporary urban renewal and the renovation of old residential areas predominantly focus on internal neighborhood improvements, leaving the spatial design of street-facing interfaces and their integration with adjacent streets significantly under addressed. Research examining these zones through the lens of commercial activity needs remains particularly scarce, representing a critical gap in both practice and scholarship. In particular, the renovation of the interface between old residential areas and the surrounding urban environment can facilitate their integration into modern cities, generate employment opportunities within these communities, and enhance the overall quality of the urban landscape. To achieve these objectives, this study aims to systematically address the following three key research questions:

(1)

Is it feasible to open the boundaries of old residential areas?

(2)

Does the commercialization of street-facing façades in old residential areas interfere with the functionality and accessibility of urban sidewalks?

(3)

How can the commercial development of street-facing surfaces and the improvement of urban sidewalk landscapes be synergistically advanced?

2. Research Framework

This study integrates two key dimensions—business models and spatial renewal—to simultaneously address the renovation of street-facing areas in old residential communities. A well-structured business model is essential for sustaining street vitality and enhancing residents’ economic income. To this end, this study employs continuous multi-point street-view imaging on both weekdays and weekends to document the commercial models, activity patterns, and vitality characteristics along the street-facing interfaces of sample residential communities, with particular attention to consumer behavior, spatial demands, and the disruptions generated by such activities within the street environment. In this context, street space transcends its conventional role as a mere passage for movement and emerges as a vital platform supporting commercial activities in old residential neighborhoods. Different business types impose distinct spatial requirements, necessitating tailored design responses. To promote the sustainable development of street-front commerce and establish a mutually reinforcing cycle between urban renewal and income improvement for residents, upgrading the physical configuration of street space is imperative. Through spatial surveys, CAD(V.2020) drawings, and SketchUp(V.2022) modeling, this study systematically captures the existing conditions of street spaces—including their dimensions, structural components, and spatial organization—and overlays these with observed commercial activities. This comparative analysis reveals critical mismatches between current spatial provisions and operational needs, enabling targeted spatial interventions that reconcile functional conflicts and achieve synergy between commercial dynamics and street space design (Figure 1).

3. Research Area and Methods

3.1. Research Area

In 2024, Chengdu plans to renovate a total of 505 old residential communities, with Qingyang District accounting for the highest number at 88. As one of the five central urban districts of Chengdu, Qingyang District not only possesses profound historical and cultural heritage but also represents the earliest developed area of the city, hosting a large number of aging residential communities. From 2021 to 2025, the district has completed or is scheduled to complete renovations for 615 communities, making it a representative sample for research on old residential areas (Figure 2). Furthermore, according to the distribution map of these communities in Qingyang District, most are located within the Second Ring Road and directly border urban streets. A typical example was identified outside the Second Ring Road—a pair of old residential compounds separated from the street by fencing: Qingjiang Community and No. 280 Jinpeng Street (Figure 3). The street adjacent to this community functions as a living street, with commercial activities predominantly comprising catering and retail services oriented toward the local resident population. Located in Chengdu’s old urban core, the neighborhood features narrow street sections, which exacerbate conflicts between commercial operations and public street uses. Historically, the original residential development did not incorporate setbacks between buildings and the street nor designate spaces for commercial service facilities. As a result, residential structures are directly aligned with the street edge. To generate additional employment opportunities and household income, while simultaneously meeting the daily consumption needs of surrounding residents, inhabitants of these old communities have adapted by converting ground-floor residential units into informal commercial spaces. This adaptive reuse has given rise to a prevalent form of informal commercial infrastructure embedded within the existing urban fabric.

Therefore, this study focuses on the street-facing interface of these two communities along Shuyihui Road and the adjacent sidewalk, which is approximately 3.5 m wide, 450 m long. The building interface extends about 400 m and includes a diverse mix of commercial functions such as hardware stores, snack vendors, retail shops, fast food outlets, courier services, and wellness clinics. The 2.1-m-high fence with narrow gaps significantly hinders the vitality and functionality of ground-floor commercial activities. Through the detailed analysis and research of this sample street, the comprehensive methodology developed can be applied to the interfaces between residential neighborhoods and urban streets, as well as to street space transformations in similar contexts worldwide. Although specific spatial design strategies cannot be directly transferred due to contextual variations across different residential areas, the spatial optimization framework proposed in this study offers transferable principles that can inform the redevelopment of street-facing interfaces and adjacent street spaces in comparable urban settings.

3.2. Research Methods

3.2.1. Spatial Surveying

To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the street-facing areas within the sample residential districts and the spatial characteristics of urban streets, this study employed tools such as infrared distance meters to conduct detailed spatial surveys and documentation. The primary survey contents included: (1) Spatial characteristics of urban streets, including street width and length, as well as the distribution of public facilities such as trash cans and bus stops, and sidewalk such as street trees and tree pits; (2) Spatial characteristics of the street-facing areas of old residential districts, including building height, length and spatial form of the street-facing façade, dimensions and material composition of the perimeter fence, and the distance between the fence and the buildings; (3) Distribution of business types, encompassing their spatial layout, spatial requirements, activity levels, and the proportion of street-facing frontage allocated to different business types.

3.2.2. Activity Record

To more effectively identify the conflicts between existing commercial activities and urban public activities, and to provide a foundation for subsequent precise spatial design, this study conducted continuous documentation of human activity patterns within the research area. The specific methods and procedures of data collection are as follows.

(1)

Definition of observation points. Guided by the existing street conditions and business type distribution patterns, this study selected four key observation points centered on bus stops, courier stations, street-corner retail outlets, and fast-food restaurants. For the convenience of later analysis, we have respectively encoded the observation points as P1–P4. These locations collectively encompassed 90% of the road segments and commercial establishments, represent all business categories, and specifically target potential conflict zones identified during the preliminary research phase. The spatial layout of these observation points is illustrated in Figure 4.

(2)

Recording period. To comprehensively capture the characteristics of commercial activities and urban public activities across different time periods, this study selected 16 December 2024 (Sunday) and 18 December 2024 (Wednesday) as observation dates, representing weekend and weekday activity patterns respectively. The recording period was set from 8:00 to 19:00, based on winter sunrise and sunset patterns in Chengdu and activity timeframes identified during the preliminary research phase. Commercial and public activities outside this timeframe were minimal, making it unsuitable for analyzing the interactions and potential conflicts between these two types of activities.

(3)

Recording method. This study involved four researchers conducting on-site activity documentation. First, smartphone mounts were installed at each observation point to ensure stable positioning and consistent angles for photographic recording. Subsequently, the research team captured images of the streets and street-facing façades of old residential communities from designated locations, completed on-site observation forms, and systematically recorded key information including the number and demographic distribution of people present, types of commercial activities, spatial disturbances, and spatial demands during each interval. Data were collected at 30-min intervals, resulting in a total of 23 sets of image and observational data.

(4)

Data organization. First, the street-view images were encoded and categorized into two groups following the methodological framework established by Wen and Sun. Subsequently, folders labeled P1 through P4 were created in sequential order, and the corresponding images were systematically organized within each folder according to the time sequence from 8:00 to 19:00, resulting in a structured and comprehensive data package for subsequent analysis. The time-slice photography method was applied to compile 23 images captured at the same observation point throughout the day, enabling a visual representation of the characteristics and temporal dynamics of commercial and urban public activities. Additionally, the point cluster time series method was utilized to annotate human activity patterns across different time periods on a two-dimensional map. This approach facilitated the identification of spatial conflicts between commercial and public activities during specific periods, thereby offering data-driven insights for subsequent spatial design interventions.

3.2.3. Space Design

Landscape design is grounded in the triadic framework of form, ecology, and cultural context, encompassing a broad disciplinary scope that extends from macro-scale environmental planning to on-site construction management. It integrates technical applications such as ecological restoration and sponge city systems, constituting a comprehensive theoretical and practical system. Despite its complexity, the discipline fundamentally adheres to a human-centered philosophy—emphasizing the needs, behaviors, and experiences of people—which aligns closely with this study’s focus on human activities in urban space. Drawing upon landscape design theory’s integrative understanding of people, environment, and activity patterns, as well as its core principles of problem orientation, functional priority, and human-centeredness, this study develops targeted design strategies for the street-facing interfaces of old residential neighborhoods and adjacent urban streets. This research focuses on renovating and redesigning street-facing zones, fences, and pedestrian pathways according to observed population activity patterns and spatial demands. Specifically, the design interventions will regulate traffic functions, enhance stay functions, and optimize commercial activity functions, thereby facilitating a synergistic improvement of both commercial and public urban activities.

4. Results

4.1. Spatial Form of the Street Frontage of Old Residential Areas and Urban Streets

Through detailed spatial mapping and on-site investigations, this study systematically analyzes the spatial form of the street-facing areas of the sample district and the overall urban street structure (Figure 5). The findings indicate that the sidewalk width is 3.5 m, which can lead to moderate congestion during peak hours at courier stations or retail stores, negatively affecting both pedestrian flow and customer experience. In contrast, corner sidewalks are wider at 4.5 m, offering significant potential for spatial optimization. These underutilized spaces could be transformed into supporting service areas for surrounding commercial activities. Additionally, certain sections lack clearly defined spatial boundaries, resulting in overlapping and conflicting uses between stationary and through-traffic zones. This issue warrants particular attention in future design interventions. As illustrated in Figure 6, the distribution of business types along the street-facing areas is relatively balanced. Catering establishments are predominantly located at high-traffic street corners, service-oriented businesses are concentrated in the mid-sections of the street, and hardware retail outlets are mainly situated at the peripheries—overall aligning with established commercial development patterns.

As the most critical element in the case study—the fence—this research conducted precise spatial mapping of its physical configuration (Figure 7). The findings reveal that the current fence design, characterized by monotonous form and material selection, lacks aesthetic value and is fundamentally incompatible with urban public activities. It also imposes significant constraints on commercial operations: (1) narrow gaps between railings hinder efficient product delivery; (2) sharp railing tops pose safety risks to pedestrians and shoppers; (3) the limited interface width complicates the placement of goods and tableware; and (4) fully enclosed structures restrict access-based commercial activities. To enhance the shopping experience, fence renovations should be tailored to the specific needs of different business types. Such interventions must maintain the necessary separation between the interior and exterior of the old residential area to ensure internal security and enclosure, while simultaneously supporting the smooth operation of street-facing commercial activities and improving overall user experience.

4.2. Activity Patterns of Different Age Groups at Different Times

Through systematic on-site observations, this study has mapped the full-day population activity patterns along the sample street, providing a foundational basis for subsequent spatial design interventions. Research findings indicate significant variations in the quantity, types, and behavioral characteristics of urban populations across different business types and time periods (Figure 8 and Figure 9). Firstly, during the weekend period from 8:00 to 19:00, commercial activities between 8:00 and 10:00 are primarily centered around breakfast services, with relatively low pedestrian density. The conflict between commercial users and through-passengers is minimal at this stage. Starting at 11:00, fast-food establishments begin placing dining tables and chairs on the sidewalks and arranging single rows of seating along railings and fences to accommodate diners. Although pedestrian flow remains moderate during this time, occasional interactions between passersby and diners create spatial interference, highlighting the need for clearer spatial demarcation within this zone. From 11:00 to 14:00, the street experiences peak dining hours, marked by high concentrations of people around fast-food outlets. This period demands greater openness and accessibility of sidewalk space. Between 14:00 and 16:00, retail activities dominate, with less noticeable crowding or queuing. However, intermittent congestion occurs at courier station entrances, negatively affecting pedestrian movement. From 16:00 to 18:00, commercial activities again focus on fast food and retail. The pattern of customer behavior at fast-food outlets mirrors that of the midday peak, while retail customers tend to be more dispersed, often requiring temporary rest spaces during waiting periods. Finally, from 18:00 to 19:00, commercial activity declines significantly, with the street primarily serving as a passage for pedestrians.

During the 8:00–19:00 period on weekdays, the 8:00–9:00 h experiences high demand for commuting to work and school, resulting in heavy pedestrian traffic. Sidewalks operate near full capacity during this time. As most fast-food establishments remain closed, the primary function of the sidewalk is for passage, which can be largely accommodated. However, breakfast shops exhibit relatively high commercial activity, generating a moderate demand for stationary space. From 9:00 to 11:00, pedestrian volume decreases significantly, and commercial activity remains minimal, with movement-based activities dominating the street environment. Between 11:00 and 14:00, commercial dynamics resemble those observed on weekends, particularly marked by spatial conflicts between fast-food operations and through-passengers. From 14:00 to 17:00, commercial activity continues to decline, with pedestrian movement remaining the primary function of the street. During the 17:00–19:00 period, the street sees increased evening dining activity alongside ongoing commuter traffic. Notably, at 18:00, 13 individuals are recorded passing through the area while 4 are engaged in dining, underscoring a clear spatial conflict between these two functions.

Through the analysis of human activity patterns during weekends and between 8:00 and 19:00 on weekdays, it becomes evident that there is significant spatial interference between commercial activities along the street-facing sides of old residential communities and urban public functions, particularly pedestrian circulation. Specifically, the outdoor seating arrangements of fast-food establishments, queuing spaces at courier stations, and traditional fence designs impose notable constraints on commercial operations, highlighting an urgent need for spatial optimization.

4.3. Spatial Adaptation and Spatial Interference

Through the investigation of crowd activity patterns, it was observed that the existing sidewalk space demonstrates both compatibility and conflict with commercial activities along the street-facing façades of old residential communities. To gain a more precise understanding of the key considerations for spatial optimization design, this study applied the time-space lattice sequence method to conduct an in-depth analysis of crowd activities across different time periods. The research reveals that the spatiotemporal distribution of commercial and urban public activities is primarily reflected in the following three aspects (Figure 10).

4.3.1. Complementary Business Hours

Taking the 4th observation point—currently the most active in terms of commercial activities—as a case study, this research examines how complementary business hours contribute to more efficient street space utilization. From 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning, breakfast shops operate, while fast food restaurants and pastry shops remain closed. Located in an expanded corner area of the street, these breakfast establishments accommodate 3–4 people queuing without obstructing the morning rush-hour pedestrian flow. Additionally, a 1-m-wide strip along the outer edge of the sidewalk remains underutilized during this period. From 11:00 to 14:00, fast food restaurants become active, while breakfast shops close. Although their outdoor seating and wall- or fence-mounted facilities encroach on the sidewalk, leaving only 0.5 m for passage, pedestrian volume is relatively low at this time, minimizing disruption to movement. Nevertheless, clear demarcation between dining and passage zones is necessary to ensure spatial comfort and functional efficiency. Between 14:00 and 16:00, fast food outlets are closed, and all external furniture is stored indoors, eliminating any interference with pedestrian traffic. During this period, pastry shops experience intermittent activity, indicating a moderate demand for rest and waiting spaces. From 16:00 to 18:00, fast food restaurants reopen, and the pattern of commercial activity and spatial demand closely mirrors that of the midday period. After 19:00, commercial operations largely cease, and the sidewalk reverts to its primary function as a passage route. In conclusion, the staggered operation mechanism of commercial establishments significantly reduces the spatial conflict between commercial and public activities. The existing spatial layout can thus be retained, requiring only targeted optimization of spatial divisions and provisions for temporary stay needs. Based on this analysis, the key operational time periods for different street-based commercial typologies can be clearly identified: (1) 8:00–10:00 for breakfast vendors; (2) 11:00–14:00 for fast food outlets; (3) 14:00–16:00 for bakeries and other leisure-oriented businesses; and (4) 16:00–18:00 for fast food outlets. By implementing coordinated management of these business hours across commercial types, the street can achieve efficient and orderly operation, minimizing temporal conflicts and spatial congestion.

4.3.2. Off-Peak Operating Hours

At the initial stage of the research, the project team hypothesized that the high volume of diners frequenting fast food restaurants would generate significant conflicts with pedestrian traffic demands. However, field investigations revealed that the operating hours of these establishments actually overlapped with peak pedestrian flow periods. This observation indicates that staggered business hours among street-front commercial facilities serve as an effective coordination mechanism for managing street-level mobility needs. Such temporal differentiation not only minimizes spatial interference between commercial activities and public movement but also preserves the feasibility of accommodating high-demand catering businesses within constrained sidewalk environments. Therefore, the operating hours of space-intensive street-based commercial activities should be concentrated during the periods of 11:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:00, with particular attention to avoiding peak pedestrian and vehicular flow periods such as 8:00–9:00.

4.3.3. The Queue Was Very Crowded

Through crowd point cloud distribution analysis, this study identified that the primary conflict between commercial activities along the street-facing façades of old residential areas and urban public activities lies in the tendency for queuing crowds to become congested during peak periods. This congestion particularly affects vulnerable groups such as the elderly and infants, impeding their safe and convenient passage. Field observations indicate that the most severe bottleneck occurs at courier stations, where long queues form during off-work hours as residents collect packages. This significantly disrupts pedestrian flow and necessitates urgent spatial interventions for crowd management. Moreover, waiting customers at snack retail outlets also contribute to localized congestion, especially during food preparation periods. The spatial conflict is most pronounced at locations where snack vendors are situated immediately behind bus stops. Here, the sudden influx of passengers disembarking from buses collides with stationary queues waiting for food, creating a high-risk environment for both pedestrian discomfort and safety hazards. Therefore, service-dependent facilities such as express delivery stations that involve customer waiting should be allocated a queuing space of at least 5 m in length, while street food vendors and small-scale retail operations should be situated no closer than 10 m to bus stops to ensure unimpeded pedestrian flow and public transit accessibility.

5. Discussion

Building upon the preceding analysis, this study proposes targeted renovation and improvement strategies for commercial spaces along the street-facing fronts of old residential areas and their adjacent urban street environments. These strategies aim to achieve a dual objective: sustaining commercial vitality while minimizing disruptions to public activities within the urban realm. Specifically, the interventions are designed to enhance customer shopping experiences, improve public service accessibility for residents, and increase economic returns for business operators.

At a broader scale, these spatial improvements are expected to contribute to employment generation for local residents, sustain commercial development, and reinforce social cohesion—particularly under the current context of economic deceleration. Furthermore, within the framework of urban stock renewal, such strategies can provide continuous support for the regeneration of old communities by transforming their boundary spaces into functionally integrated zones that serve both private and public interests (Figure 11). Post-implementation evaluation of landscape design is an essential step in validating the feasibility of the proposed research methodology. However, the actual implementation of the design proposal remains under negotiation, as challenges related to financial investment and the coordination of diverse stakeholder interests require ongoing and coordinated dialogue.

5.1. Channeling: Spatial Segregation of Passing Traffic and Waiting Crowds

To address the spatial conflict between waiting crowds and passing pedestrians, the research team proposed three design strategies—referred to as “Aside, Isolation, and Use”—to effectively reconcile these competing demands. The “Aside” strategy involves retracting community fences to create expanded queuing zones, thereby achieving complete spatial separation between waiting and through-moving. For example, at courier stations, the fence can be retracted inward to directly connect with the station’s entrance, guiding waiting individuals into designated queuing bays (Figure 12). The “Isolation” strategy involves physically isolating circulation zones from queuing areas. This study implements a design approach that locally elevates the street-facing interface to guide waiting crowds into horizontal queue formations along the sidewalk, effectively minimizing spatial conflicts between moving pedestrians and stationary groups (Figure 13). The “Use” strategy focuses on optimizing underused spaces along the street-facing boundary of old residential communities. Field investigations revealed numerous inward-oriented negative spaces that remain largely unutilized. To address this, the study proposes reconfiguring fence alignments within these inward spaces, thereby unlocking previously idle areas for commercial and service functions. These transformed spaces can serve as designated zones for waiting, dining, and other activities related to adjacent businesses while simultaneously extending the capacity and quality of urban public space—creating a mutually beneficial outcome (Figure 14). This spatial transformation approach challenges the conventional design paradigm of accommodating new functional requirements through incremental spatial expansion [57], enabling a qualitative enhancement within constrained urban spaces.

5.2. Optimization: Spatial Experience for Visitors and Diners

Through preliminary research, this study confirms that off-peak operations in consumption settings such as fast-food restaurants do not significantly affect pedestrian flow. Accordingly, the design emphasis is placed on improving spatial quality. To enhance the spatial experience of individuals who stay and dine, this study primarily employs three design strategies and spatial configurations. The strategy of “Change” involves renovating existing spaces that are currently functional for commercial use to improve user experience. For instance, for fast food seating areas adjacent to fences or walls, this study proposes widening the fence interface and replacing the top surface material to enhance customers’ dining comfort (Figure 15). This spatial strategy is analogous to minimally invasive surgery, offering a targeted and resource-efficient intervention. In contrast to the conventional model of large-scale demolition and reconstruction in old residential neighborhoods [58], it enables the optimal preservation of social resources through reduced disruption and lower material and labor inputs. “Division” refers to the functional segmentation of street space. The research team suggests that such segmentation can be guided by the principles of pedestrian system organization. For instance, colored asphalt and ground markings can be employed to delineate spaces for resting and dining from those designated for passage, thereby minimizing mutual interference and enhancing the sense of territoriality for stationary users (Figure 16). This approach is extensively employed in the differentiation of sidewalks, non-motorized vehicle lanes, and motor vehicle lanes within urban street environments; however, its application to the spatial separation of commercial service areas and pedestrian through-spaces remains significantly underdeveloped. “Increase” refers to the strategic addition of service facilities at appropriate locations to satisfy the spatial requirements of street-front commercial activities and urban public life for stationary users. This approach is demonstrated through two key strategies: (1) Integrating fence- or wall-mounted seating into dining and retail interfaces. Although the demand for waiting or resting during food preparation is relatively low, average waiting times often exceed five minutes. Providing temporary rest spaces during this period can significantly improve customer experience. Moreover, during non-operational hours, these spaces are made publicly accessible, offering resting opportunities for pedestrians and enhancing the street’s overall public service capacity (Figure 17). (2) Utilizing expanded corner spaces by introducing urban furniture. Research findings indicate that street corners typically feature enlarged areas, where sufficient space is reserved for circulation, leaving residual zones underutilized. These spaces can be transformed into functional areas equipped with rest facilities for citizens while also serving as temporary dining zones for fast food, breakfast, pastry, and other retail dining formats.

5.3. Suitable: Spatial Coordination of Shopping and Service Populations

During the preliminary investigation, it was identified that factors such as street space design, fence design, and the façade design of old residential communities exerted negative influences on both commercial activities and urban public life. Fences constitute critical boundary elements in residential communities, functioning as essential physical barriers that separate the interior from external urban environments while ensuring resident safety and spatial privacy. As collective property shared by all residents, fences are indispensable for safeguarding the community’s right to security and cannot be entirely removed to accommodate adjacent commercial development. In response to the dual imperatives of maintaining residential safety and promoting street-facing commercial vitality, this study proposes a spatial transformation strategy for fence interfaces—reconfiguring their form and function to facilitate controlled public access and support commercial activity without compromising the integrity of neighborhood security. To address these challenges, this study proposes three design strategies and spatial models—“opening, replacing, and painting”—aimed at enhancing consumption environments and fostering commercial vitality along the street-facing interfaces of old residential communities, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of their renovation. The “opening” strategy focuses on transforming existing fences that hinder commercial interaction. This involves artistic redesign, material replacement, and the application of vibrant colors to mitigate visual barriers and reduce the sense of detachment experienced by potential customers. Secondly, fences should be modified in a targeted manner according to different business types, opening up designated spaces to facilitate commercial activities while maintaining internal community safety: (1) For food and beverage retail interfaces, rectangular service openings can be created in the fence to improve customer access to goods; (2) For retail sectors such as flower shops, grocery stores, and hardware stores, integrated display systems can be installed to standardize merchandise arrangement, enhancing street aesthetics while increasing product visibility; (3) For service-oriented businesses like physiotherapy, dedicated access points into the community can be established, with strict control over customer movement to ensure entry only to the designated premises and not to other residential areas. Currently, physiotherapy entrances are located within the community, requiring visitors to pass through the main gate, which complicates safety management. The proposed design introduces a separate street-facing entrance for such services, minimizing pedestrian flow conflicts and reducing potential security risks (Figure 18). The findings from observational analysis of urban development patterns and resident surveys indicate strong approval among community residents for the proposed fence renovation strategy. Residents perceive that the intervention does not compromise internal neighborhood security and instead enhances accessibility to commercial services, thereby improving convenience for daily consumption. “Replacement” involves substituting the existing pavement materials and tree pit grates on sidewalks. This strategy can be integrated with the previously mentioned “partition” spatial model through the application of colored asphalt pavement. Aligned with the principles of sponge city design, traditional tree pits are transformed into sunken green spaces, thereby endowing streets with ecological functionality. “Painting” focuses on the transformation of currently monotonous building façades. By incorporating artistic graffiti, façades are infused with vibrant colors, enhancing visual connectivity between customers and the community. This approach improves the overall streetscape atmosphere, creates a more pleasant shopping environment, and supports the commercial revitalization of street-facing community areas.

6. Conclusions

This study employed detailed spatial mapping and population activity surveys to analyze the activity patterns of commercial establishments along street-facing areas and public space usage by urban residents within old residential districts. By utilizing a grid sequence analysis, spatial contradictions between these two functional domains were systematically identified. Subsequently, landscape design strategies were applied to enhance both the street-facing interfaces of old residential areas and adjacent urban public spaces. This integrated approach facilitated the revitalization of local commerce while improving the accessibility and comfort of public spaces, thereby offering valuable insights into addressing contemporary challenges related to employment and urban regeneration. The primary contribution of this study lies in bridging street space landscape design with research on social governance and economic development through a systematic examination of the distinctive social phenomenon known as “people’s livelihood under the fence”. The research findings are summarized as follows: (1) Spontaneously developed commercial activities and business types on the street-facing façades of old residential areas demonstrate strong vitality and align with market dynamics. These activities not only enhance the commercial vibrancy of urban streets but also address employment and income challenges for residents, thereby providing sustained economic support for the renovation and maintenance of old residential areas. (2) The primary spatial conflict between urban public spaces and street-facing commercial activities arises from the overlapping needs of waiting and through traffic. To address this issue, the study proposes a set of design strategies structured across three hierarchical levels and nine dimensions, which can significantly alleviate the aforementioned contradiction. (3) Fences serve as critical spatial boundaries separating urban public spaces from the internal environments of old residential areas while simultaneously acting as major barriers to commercial interactions. Due to their distinctive role in spatial organization, fences have been given particular attention in this study. By implementing diversified window-style renovations to accommodate various business types while redefining the spatial relationship between fences and sidewalks, this approach effectively activates underutilized spaces within old residential areas, integrating them into the urban fabric. These transformed spaces can also function as operational venues for street-level commercial activities. Through minimal interventions on existing fences, a mutually beneficial scenario can be created for consumers, pedestrians, and vendors, directly addressing the central theme of this study—”Life under the Fences.” While this research represents only a small entry point into the broader efforts of renovating old residential districts and upgrading public spaces and infrastructure in historic urban areas, the methodologies and analytical pathways developed herein offer valuable references for similar urban renewal initiatives. Despite these contributions, this study remains subject to several limitations that warrant further investigation. First, the proposed spatial design strategies are applicable only to older residential neighborhoods with street-facing fences and cannot be directly extended to sites bounded by solid walls or other physical barriers, indicating a constraint in spatial applicability. Second, while the methods and findings have been integrated into the design proposals, post-implementation performance evaluation has not yet been conducted, limiting empirical validation of their feasibility. Addressing this gap constitutes a critical direction for future research.