Search Results (74)

The development of street-based outdoor physical activities plays a vital role in improving public health issues and advancing the goals of the “Healthy China” initiative, and the built environment is widely considered a key factor in promoting such activities and urban sustainability. Existing studies have paid limited attention to the nonlinear relationships between the built environment and outdoor physical activity and have mostly focused on a single type of activity (such as walking or cycling), with few comparative analyses across different activity types. With the purpose of addressing these limitations and providing cross-sectional empirical evidence for sustainable street design and active-transport policy, this study examines streets within the Second Ring Road of Changsha and uses large-scale street-level outdoor activity trajectory data to investigate associations between built environment indicators and outdoor activity flows. A Random Forest model, followed by the application of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), is used to characterize the nonlinear associations and interactions among variables, capturing patterns relevant to sustainable mobility, public health and urban form. The results indicate the following: (1) The built environment indicators are associated with walking, jogging, and cycling in distinctly different patterns—walking shows stronger associations with population density and access to bus stops; jogging demonstrates stronger associations with the accessibility of large open spaces; and cycling is more associated with land use mix and road intersection density. (2) Nonlinear associations and threshold-like patterns commonly exist between built environment variables and activity flows, with indicators such as bus stop density and walking continuity exhibiting pronounced effects within specific intervals. (3) Interaction effects among variables contribute importantly to model predictions, especially for jogging where their influence can even exceed the main effects of individual factors. These results underscore the potential value of implementing tailored street design strategies for different activity types and provide empirical evidence relevant to health-oriented urban planning. Full article

Green infrastructure and nature-based solutions (NBSs) are, especially in urban areas, one of the key elements in building a friendly living environment that contributes to healthy longevity. This paper presents a novel method for assessing the accessibility of recreational urban green space (RUGS) at the level of individual residential buildings. We designed and piloted a new total accessible recreational urban green space area (TARUGS) index, based on real pedestrian network distances, considering spatial accessibility weighted by the total area of green space available within an approximate 15-min walk. Calculations were carried out individually for each residential building and each individual RUGS, using GIS technologies, including network analysis. The developed methodology allows for the detection of local inequalities in access to all city RUGSs. It enables the inclusion of additional socioeconomic variables in an in-depth spatial equity analysis. The RUGS accessibility ranking of buildings provides a practical tool to support urban intervention planning, as well as the design of solutions that respond to the real needs of residents and environmental challenges. Availability analyses were performed for 108,618 buildings and 146 RUGS. Areas with the highest and clearly insufficient access to RUGS in Warsaw were identified. Over 40,400 buildings were classified as having no access to RUGS (class 0), which accounts for 37% of all residential buildings, while 21,700 buildings were classified as having the best access (class 4), which accounts for 20% of all residential buildings. The districts of Wilanów and Włochy have the worst accessibility, while Wawer and Mokotów have the best. The proposed building-level methodology quantitatively reveals spatial inequalities in access to RUGS, enabling data-driven, equitable planning decisions while highlighting the need to integrate broader accessibility modes, subjective user experiences, and data improvements for a comprehensive assessment of spatial justice. The framework demonstrates how advanced geospatial data analysis, integrating GIS technologies, open data, and network-based innovative solutions, could enhance urban policy-making, improve the design of equitable public spaces, and support resilient land management strategies. Full article

This article examines the role of urban design in integrating biodiversity preservation with the enhancement of environmental and human health and quality of life in urban and peri-urban areas. Building on three complementary perspectives—urban design, the Healthy Habits framework, and socio-ecological networks—the review seeks to bridge short- to medium-term actions for improving the quality of life with long-term strategies for biodiversity preservation. While partial connections between these domains exist, they remain fragmented, underscoring the need for a holistic and transdisciplinary approach to urban socio-ecological health. The study employs a two-stage methodology, combining a scoping review to map existing evidence with a qualitative thematic review across SCOPUS-indexed research, European and international policy frameworks, and practical applications. The One Health paradigm is used as the principal integrative tool to link urban design, the Healthy Habits framework, and the socio-ecological networks. The topics of European environmental policies, evolutionary pillars, and social cohesion are incorporated to strengthen the interrelations between environmental and societal health and well-being. The findings highlight the importance of a holistic approach, behavioural insights, urban nudges, and participation, which can become key elements in fostering social cohesion, ecological resilience, and overall health. The research concludes that health-oriented urban design must go beyond traditional planning paradigms and tools, adopting adaptive, relational, and transdisciplinary approaches to address the challenges posed by contemporary times. Full article

Guided by the “Healthy China” initiative, understanding the impact of the built environment on running behavior is essential for encouraging regular physical activity and advancing public health. This study addresses a critical gap in healthy city research by examining the spatial heterogeneity in how urban environmental contexts affect residents’ running preferences. Focusing on two contrasting areas of Suzhou, namely the historic Gusu District and the modern Industrial Park District, we developed a 5Ds-based analytical framework (density, accessibility, diversity, design, and visual) that incorporates Suzhou’s unique water networks and street features. Methodologically, we used Strava heatmap data and multi-source environmental indicators to quantify built-environment attributes and examined their relationships with running-space selection. We applied linear regression and interpretable machine learning to reveal overall associations, while geographically weighted regression (GWR) was used to capture spatial variations. Results reveal significant spatial heterogeneity in how the built environment influences running-space selection. While the two districts differ in their urban form, runners in Gusu District prefer dense and compact street networks, whereas those in Industrial Park District favor open, natural spaces with higher levels of human vibrancy. Despite these differences, both districts show consistent preferences for spaces with a more intense land use mix, stronger transportation accessibility, and larger parks and green spaces. The multi-dimensional planning strategies derived from this study can improve the urban running environment and promote the health and well-being of residents. Full article

Urban green spaces have emerged as a key outdoor natural space supporting social interaction since the pandemic and lockdowns, and particularly benefit the health and well-being of the elderly and children amid global population aging. However, the challenges of socialization among multi-age groups and the influence of green space quality on these interactions remain insufficiently understood. To create healthy multi-age spaces, this study aimed to compare the associations between urban green space quality and social interaction among the elderly, children, and the general population. To achieve this, we adopted a UAV vision method, integrating the SOSIP protocol with a vision-based behavioral recognition model to capture outdoor social interactions across multiple age groups. Multilevel regression models were applied to analyze the hierarchical data structure and assess the contributions of different green space quality indicators, including green space size, facility, amenity, aesthetic features, maintenance and cleanliness, incivility, and overall quality. The findings indicated that overall green space quality is the most significant contributor in promoting social interaction, while maintenance and cleanliness appeared equally important to children and the general population. The presence of facilities and a larger green space size encourage informal encounters and facilitate collective activities only among the general population. However, aesthetic features and the number of amenities had limited effects on the social interactions of multi-age groups. These results suggest that how green space quality influences social interaction varies among different age groups. Accordingly, targeted green space quality enhancement strategies are proposed to support the planning of sustainable, healthy multi-age spaces that could balance the needs of both the elderly and younger populations. Full article

In the contexts of rapid urbanization and the Healthy China Strategy, understanding how the built environment affects residents’ health has become a pressing issue for the development of new rural communities. This study aims to investigate the associations between facility accessibility and residents’ health, and to provide evidence for health-oriented rural planning. Taking Pujiang County in Chengdu as the case study, we measured the accessibility of nine categories of facilities using GIS-based network analysis and evaluated residents’ health through the Self-Rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS). Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT) combined with SHAP interpretation were employed to examine and explain the influence of accessibility factors on health outcomes. The results indicate that the accessibility of road entrances, public toilets, garbage transfer points, schools, and community service centers is negatively associated with residents’ health, with variations across physical, mental, and social health dimensions. Moreover, social health is insufficiently explained by physical accessibility alone, implying the additional importance of social and cultural conditions. These findings offer practical guidance for optimizing facility layout and spatial design in new rural communities and provide an empirical basis for promoting health-oriented rural planning in China and similar contexts. Full article

With the global aging population on the rise, identifying environmental factors that modulate immunosenescence is critical for health interventions. While urban green spaces are known to confer health benefits, the long-term effects of forest exposure on immunosenescence remain unclear. This study investigated the differential impacts of urban forest versus urban environments on immunosenescence using a D-galactose-induced murine model. Mice were assigned to urban or forest environments for 8 weeks, with serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ), T-cell subsets, and organ indices analyzed. Forest environments exhibited significantly higher humidity and negative air ion concentrations alongside lower noise levels compared to urban settings. Aged forest-exposed mice showed attenuated immunosenescence markers, including significantly lower IL-6 levels (p < 0.01) and improved thymic indices, suggesting urban forest environments may mitigate immune decline. These findings highlight the potential of urban forests in promoting healthy aging, advocating for their integration into urban planning. Further human studies are warranted to translate these findings into public health strategies. Full article

Background/Objective: Sustained exercise adherence among older adults is essential for healthy aging but remains challenging due to psychological, social, and economic barriers. This study aimed to investigate how perceived exercise barriers, financial burden, constraint negotiation mechanisms, and social support influence exercise adherence among adults aged 50 and older by integrating behavioral economics, constraint negotiation theory, and social cognitive theory. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1000 community-dwelling older adults in South Korea using a convenience sampling method. Participants were recruited from community centers, senior welfare facilities, and public health clinics in urban and suburban areas. Data collection was conducted between 11 January and 21 April 2024, using both online (Qualtrics) and offline (paper-based) surveys. Participants completed validated instruments measuring perceived exercise barriers, financial burden, constraint negotiation mechanisms (including financial management and social support mobilization), perceived social support, and behavioral exercise adherence. The final sample used for analysis included 974 individuals (mean age = 60.24 years, SD = 6.42). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess direct, mediating, and moderating effects. Additional exploratory analyses (ANOVA and t-tests) examined subgroup differences. Results: SEM results showed that perceived exercise barriers (β = –0.352, p < 0.001) and financial burden (β = –0.278, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with exercise adherence. Constraint negotiation mechanisms (β = 0.231, p < 0.001) and perceived social support (β = 0.198, p < 0.001) were positively associated. Mediation analyses revealed that constraint negotiation strategies partially mediated the relationships between perceived barriers and adherence (indirect β = 0.124) and between financial burden and adherence (indirect β = 0.112). Moderation analysis confirmed that social support buffered the negative effects of financial and psychological barriers. Conclusions: Exercise adherence in later life is shaped by the dynamic interplay of structural constraints, behavioral strategies, and social reinforcement. Interventions should combine financial support with socially embedded structures that promote behavioral planning and peer accountability to sustain long-term physical activity among older adults. Full article

Ensuring the healthy movement of urban and rural factors is a key aspect in promoting urban–rural integration. Defining the mechanisms of factor movement and constructing an urban–rural integration planning model are important for the practice of urban–rural integration work. This study considers the movement of urban and rural factors as its entry point and explores the resource endowments and movement paths of urban and rural factors based on the city–town–village spatial system. The urban–rural integration planning model was constructed using spatial and policy dimensions, and six integration design strategies for ecological, population, industrial, land, transportation, and public service factors were defined. Next, considering the Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing City as a case study, this study combines the current characteristics and integration directions of urban and rural factors to propose integration design goals and measures for six key factors. The movement paths of urban and rural factors were delineated, and the specific tasks of each administrative entity in urban–rural integration development were identified at each level to achieve the breakdown and transmission of the overall urban–rural integration strategy. The study integrated current status assessment, integration design, path construction, and goal breakdown, exploring the formulation of urban–rural integration strategies and work pathways. The aim was to address the current gap between urban–rural integration theory and practice, thus providing a reference and inspiration for related research. Full article

As China undergoes a rapid transition into an aging society, the mobility challenges faced by the older adults in high-density mountainous cities are exacerbated by complex topographical conditions. Existing studies often overlook the nonlinear relationships and the distinct planning requirements of mountainous versus flat urban areas when evaluating the age-friendliness of community parks. This study aims to identify the critical elements of age-friendly planning in mountainous community parks, validate the applicability of nonlinear models, and quantify the dynamic effects of various factors on older adults’ satisfaction, thereby establishing a foundation for targeted optimization strategies. Utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) on 358 valid questionnaires collected from three representative mountainous community parks in Chongqing, six key planning factors were extracted. An ordered logit model was employed for regression and marginal effect analyses. The findings reveal that (1) the ordered logit model outperforms alternative models in terms of goodness-of-fit and computational efficiency, making it particularly suitable for capturing the nonlinear characteristics of satisfaction; (2) accessibility facilities, spatial and social connectivity, and landscape environment emerge as the primary determinants of older adults’ satisfaction, with improvements in accessibility facilities exerting the most significant impact; and (3) the provision of multifunctional activity spaces and increased social opportunities effectively addresses the psychological and physiological needs of the older adults. This study contributes to the optimization of age-friendly design strategies for community parks in high-density mountainous cities, offering valuable insights for promoting healthy aging and fostering inclusive urban environments. Full article

With continuous urbanization, cities are facing numerous challenges. In addition, the construction and effective management of urban green spaces have become essential for the sustainable development of healthy cities. In previous studies, algorithms were developed to select appropriate locations for parks with distinctive green patches. Although the suitability of urban parks has been discussed from various perspectives, the location and land use around parks have been rarely considered. Therefore, the benefits and importance of parks across various land uses were assessed in this study. Based on the assessment results, improvement strategies for future park planning and development were proposed. By highlighting and integrating the benefits of different parks, urban green spaces can be expanded to deliver diverse benefits and contribute to healthy and sustainable development. We compiled 35 items in four major types of park benefits from a literature review. Using the Delphi method, 24 important benefits of parks were identified. An importance–performance analysis (IPA) was then conducted to create matrix diagrams for parks in different land use zones to understand the key benefits and identify areas that require priority improvement. The IPA results indicated that parks in residential and industrial areas need to improve ecological benefits and environmental functions for sustainable development. Parks in districts have greening and visual appeal but need improvement in environmental education. There are excessive facilities for passive activities in parks, suggesting a need for resource optimization. The results of this study help urban planners find region-specific design solutions for different land uses and effectively manage and optimize resource allocation. Full article

Population aging is an irreversible global trend, with China experiencing an aging trajectory far exceeding that of most low- and middle-income and high-income countries. Emerging evidence highlights the urban built environment (BE) as a critical determinant of older adults’ travel behavior (TB), exerting a greater effect than commuter populations. However, findings on BE-TB associations remain inconsistent. This study systematically reviewed 46 studies from 1666 articles retrieved from Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases, applying CiteSpace 6.4.R1 for keyword co-occurrence and temporal clustering analysis. This review synthesizes research trends, theoretical frameworks, key determinants, and methodological approaches by integrating knowledge from multiple fields such as urban planning, transportation engineering, public health, and social policy. It provides a comprehensive perspective on how the BE influences the TBs of the aging population. This article can contribute to improving the quality of life for older adults, promoting intergenerational harmony, reducing healthcare costs, fostering economic development, and encouraging green transportation. By identifying critical gaps and future research directions, our findings offer insights to inform strategies for promoting healthy aging and sustainable urban development. Full article

Wuyi Mountain in China is listed on the World Natural and Cultural Heritage List. With the vigorous development of urban cultural tourism, the sustainable development of heritage sites has become the focus of academic and industry circles, among which the rational use and scientific planning of natural resources have become increasingly prominent. In this context, in-depth research on resource development and protection strategies in the Wuyishan area has important practical significance and theoretical value. Therefore, this paper presents a case study of the tourist tea garden landscape design practice at the Wuyistar Chinese Tea Garden, located in Wuyishan City. This paper underscores the significance of incorporating the site’s existing natural environment resources, particularly its plant resources, into the tea garden landscape design, while adhering to principles within the framework of world heritage. The research method includes extensive field surveys combined with GIS analysis and biodiversity surveys, covering the topography and slope of the tea plantation, current natural resources, statistics on the number of tourists after completion, and the related benefits of local enterprises. These planning concepts are realized through a series of infrastructure measures, which are divided into four angles: restoring mountains and rivers, rereading cultural context, sorting out style and appearance, and improving functions. The design practice is carried out in different areas. Simultaneously, the creation of a distinctive tourist destination enables tourists to fully engage with nature and tea culture, while simultaneously fostering the growth of cultural tourism in world heritage sites. This study proposes a planning practice case, which provides a framework and ideas for designing tea gardens. From the aspects of resource protection and utilization, cultural inheritance and display, and tourism service improvement, it provides a model and method that can be used as a reference for the landscape design and planning of similar tea gardens, which will help promote the healthy development of the Chinese tea culture tourism industry. It also provides useful practical experience for the protection and development of world heritage sites. Full article

Over the past two decades, walkability, accessibility, and urban street culture have become major study topics in several areas of contemporary urban research, including urban sustainability, urban economy, healthy cities, and the x-minute city. Due to a plethora of evidence that supports the benefits of an accessible and walkable neighborhood, many countries and cities have put in place urban reform agendas that prioritize accessibility and walkability and promote urban street culture. Saudi Arabia is among those countries, as evidenced by the goals established in Saudi Vision 2030. This study focuses on the City of Hail’s efforts to enhance the walkability of its neighborhoods and the city’s accessibility. This study looks at how the newly constructed pedestrian infrastructure matches people’s expectations and how it influences how people in Hail walk. This study also makes specific suggestions for improvement and identifies ways forward. This study employs a three-fold ‘post-occupancy evaluation’ methodology that includes qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, and direct observation, focusing on how the community interacts with the new pedestrian streetscapes. This study recommends designing areas in the City of Hail with improved pedestrian rights-of-way, enhancing sidewalk design and continuity, creating pedestrian buffer zones, boosting shade and shelter, and increasing safety and security. The suggested design changes will have the added benefit of strengthening the sense of community of Hail residents while also promoting mixed-use development, which is generally recognized as a more ‘organic’, natural development path that also aligns with Saudi’s heritage architecture, returning Hail’s urban space to its roots. These findings are crucial for shaping city planning in the City of Hail and beyond by emphasizing inclusive strategies that create lively communities where walking is encouraged and enjoyed. Full article

Introduction. The global challenge of physical inactivity necessitates innovative approaches and strategies to optimize built environments in order to promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles, such as active transportation. For this reason, walkability is a crucial area of research in urban health, with several studies focusing on assessment frameworks. However, a gap persists between theoretical development and practical implementation. This study explores the application of the Milan Walkability Measurement Tool (MWM-Tool), a walkability assessment framework previously developed by Politecnico di Milano, to evaluate the urban features in favor of walkability by integrating GIS technology with an extended testing scope. It is based on a scientific approach utilizing 10 sub-indicators divided into three macro-areas (Density, Diversity, Design), identified through a comprehensive literature review. Method. Focusing on the application of the MWM-Tool in Milan, the study employs the 88 Nuclei of Local Identity (NILs), which are the official designations for Milan’s neighborhoods, as the units of urban analysis. Based on previous experience, the digitalization of the assessment framework has been improved: geospatial data corresponding to 10 sub-indicators were filtered to generate vector layers, primarily sourced from two public geographical platforms. The GIS-based method produces thematic maps evaluating all neighborhoods according to the dimensions of Density, Diversity, and Design. Darker and lighter colors represent the range of the scores. Both single indicators and macro-area maps, as well as overall walkability level maps, were generated to illustrate the results. Result. The results of the macro dimension assessment, combining 10 sub-indicators, provide an objective view of the distribution of walkable space quality in Milan. Only 7 out of 88 neighborhoods achieved the highest score, all of which are located in the city center, while suburban areas showed significantly lower scores. By incorporating census GIS data, the study also identified the population distribution across areas with varying walkability levels. Based on the results of the assessment, it may be possible to develop and prioritize the optimization of walkable features, revitalizing underserved areas and fostering a healthier community environment. Conclusion. The georeferenced-data maps represent an effective tool to highlight both neighborhoods with high urban quality, which could be used to promote active mobility and healthy lifestyle adoption, as well as those requiring improvement strategies from policy and decision makers. The research output provides a reference for further urban planning initiatives in Milan and contributes to enhancing pedestrian-oriented built environments. Using GIS open-source data, the method is scalable and can be easily replicated in other cities. It could also be used as a system for monitoring walkability over time. Full article