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Article

Health-Oriented Evaluation and Optimization of Urban Square Space Elderly Suitability: A Case Study of Yiyang City Center

by
Yuhua Li
1 and
Hui Tang
1,2,3,*
1
College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Hunan City University, Yiyang 413000, China
2
Key Laboratory of Key Technologies of Digital Urban-Rural Spatial Planning of Hunan Province, Yiyang 413000, China
3
Key Laboratory of Digital Technology in Hunan General Colleges and Universities, Yiyang 413000, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2482; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082482
Submission received: 11 July 2024 / Revised: 5 August 2024 / Accepted: 9 August 2024 / Published: 11 August 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Healthy Environment Design in Urban Development)
Browse Figures
Figure 1
<p>Map of relationship between urban square space and health interventions for older adults.</p> "> Figure 2
<p>Study area.</p> "> Figure 3
<p>Analysis of urban square space (<b>a</b>) Kernel density results, (<b>b</b>) Accessibility results.</p> "> Figure 4
<p>Mechanisms of spatial elderly suitability in health-oriented urban squares.</p> "> Figure 5
<p>Renovation and renewal of urban square space.</p> "> Figure 6
<p>(<b>a</b>) Featured urban square creation; (<b>b</b>) construction of urban square space system.</p> ">
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Urban squares are the main place for older adults’ daily activities. The spatial layout of the urban square is not only related to the construction of a healthy city and the equitable distribution of public resources, but also of great significance in enhancing the sense of gain, security, and happiness of older adults. This essay takes “health needs of older adults” as the perspective, and constructs a multi-dimensional evaluation index system of urban square space for elderly suitability in terms of physiological, psychological, and social health. It also takes six urban squares in Yiyang city center as an example and analyzes and evaluates them using GIS network analysis and the entropy weight method. The results of the study show that (1) Yiyang city center squares show the distribution characteristics of “dense in the middle and scattered around”, and the spatial distribution is not balanced, which leads to a small service area. (2) The overall intervention value of urban square space is mainly distributed between 0.291 and 0.710, with an average value of 0.481, and the overall intervention effect of the square is good. The reasons for differences in health interventions for older adults in urban square spaces centered on six aspects: the quality of the square space, the variety and convenience of travel lines, the tidiness of the environment, physical activities, safety, and social interaction. Based on this, this essay proposes three optimization strategies for the renewal of urban squares, the construction of characteristic squares, and the reconstruction of the urban square space system. The aim is to provide a reference for the future design and renewal of the elderly suitability of urban squares, so as to promote the construction of a healthy city.

1. Introduction

Urban square space is an area that provides ecological services for the city and leisure and open space for residents, and has a close connection with public health. In the background of global aging, the creation of elderly suitability square space can enhance urban health to a great extent. According to the United Nations Data Centre, the ageing of the world population is increasing the world population age is increasing year by year and it is predicted that by 2045, the world’s population of people over 60 years of age will exceed 400 million, and by 2050 the world’s older adults will outnumber young people. In recent years, the aging process in our country has developed faster and gained more momentum than in other aging countries. In 2023, the size of China’s older adult population aged 60 and above reached 280 million, accounting for 19.8% of the total population [1], which means that China has entered a stage of deep aging. To cope with the problem of population aging, in 2023 the State Council issued the “14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the National Aging Career and Pension Service System”. A series of development goals have been proposed, such as making the social environment more friendly and livable for older adults, developing a multilevel elderly care service system and social participation. Higher demands for elderly suitability and upgrading of urban infrastructure. At the same time, the health of older adults in China is not optimistic. Due to the increase in age, consciousness, action, and sensory decline; mental illness; and other health problems are increasingly prominent [2], the demand for urban squares has increased, and the construction of an environment inclusive of older adults has become a focus of attention. As society’s care for older adults has expanded from physical health to mental and social health, it has contributed to the overall development of “healthy aging”. However, the current urban squares have problems such as insufficient elderly suitability functional facilities, a lack of public activity space, inadequate maintenance and management, conflict with other people’s activities, and the irrational configuration of the number of fitness equipment, pavilions, corridors, and seats [3], which makes it difficult to meet older adults’ activity needs. Therefore, the research on the elderly suitability of urban squares has an important impact on the development of the aging society.
In terms of elderly suitability research, most foreign scholars have explored the impact of external environmental factors on older adults from a public health perspective [4,5,6,7]. Some scholars use GIS spatial analysis and satisfaction research, IPA hierarchical analysis, and other methods to study the relationship between the behavioral characteristics of older adults and urban construction and the environment [8,9,10]. Most of the domestic scholars take urban public spaces, parks and green spaces, and neighborhoods as research objects [11,12,13]. Some scholars study spatial accessibility, safety, and comfort from the physiological and mental health needs or behavioral characteristics of older adults [14,15,16,17]. Generally speaking, from the perspective of large-scale urban public space, domestic and foreign scholars’ research on elderly suitability mainly focuses on architecture, outdoor public space, and facilities for the elderly, but there are few studies on the elderly suitability of urban square space. At the same time, most of the cities in China are suffering from insufficient supply of basic public service facilities, including urban squares, and the rapid growth of the elderly population. In view of this, the Outline of the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan for the National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China and the Vision 2035 proposed such development requirements as “implementing a national strategy for actively responding to the ageing of the population” and “improving the multi-level social security system”. Incorporating the diversified health needs of older adults for urban square space, exploring the comprehensive evaluation index system of urban square space for elderly suitability has practical value for the design, renewal, and transformation of urban squares, and at the same time has positive significance for the construction of an age-friendly society.
To summarize, this essay will explore the relationship between urban square space and the city and older adults through preliminary theoretical and practical research, and construct a multi-dimensional evaluation index system for the elderly suitability of urban square space. Secondly, a comprehensive evaluation of the case of urban squares is conducted to derive the results of the health intervention, and finally, appropriate optimization strategies are proposed. The applied innovations and contributions of this essay are as follows: (1) It further enriches the research on urban square space’s elderly suitability and provides a Chinese case study, which is helpful to provide a reference for the construction of squares in countries at the stage of aging. (2) This essay takes the health needs of older adults as an entry point, and uses GIS network analysis from a macro perspective to study the impact of differences in the spatial distribution and accessibility of urban squares on older adults. A multidimensional health evaluation index system is constructed from a micro perspective, and the indicators of the social health dimension are improved and supplemented. A comprehensive evaluation of urban square space for healthy city interventions for older adults is performed with corresponding mechanisms of action and optimization strategies to provide a scientific basis for the construction and renewal of urban squares for elderly suitability and to promote a healthy city for an aging society.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Theoretical Analysis

2.1.1. Relationship between Urban Square Space and Healthy City Construction

As an important urban public space, urban squares have an important role in promoting the health of residents [18]. The study of public space in the West started earlier, and the theoretical study of urban squares returned from geometric esthetics and visual esthetics to the exploration of human places. This can be summarized in three stages: (1) Initial stage (late 18th century–1945), due to the disorderly development of Western industry that led to overcrowding in the city and the deterioration of the physical environment, which caused the public to pay attention to the public space. This stage of the urban squares mainly considered the spatial form, public attributes [19,20], etc. Howard [21], Perry [22], and others hoped to fulfill the public’s pursuit of a healthy life through the construction of urban public spaces that include urban squares. (2) The development phase (1945–2000), in which the city faced renewal and reconstruction after World War II, created a people-oriented spatial environment and strengthened the protection and construction of urban spaces such as city block texture and urban squares [23]. Toward the end of the 20th century, Monfortin [24], in Streets and Squares, analyzed in detail the elements of streets, squares, and buildings in cities, and studied the effects of the interactions among the elements on urban planning, focusing on the relationship between urban square space and crowd interaction activities, and exploring the characteristics and meaning of urban squares [25,26]. At that stage, in the face of the health challenges posed by urbanization, the concept of a “healthy city” was first introduced at a conference in Toronto, Canada, in 1984. In 1989, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized that health should include physical, mental, social, and moral health [27]. (3) The maturity stage (2000 to present), in which public space construction faced new challenges with the rise of the New Urbanism movement, was a stage in which public space construction was more closely linked to healthy cities. Research on urban squares has paid more attention to the social function and sustainability of public space [28,29]. More and more cities have begun to focus on the construction of green ecology, fitness for all, and health education, forming a healthy city development model with characteristics.
China’s research on healthy cities was relatively late, beginning in 1989, and the creation of national health city activities laid the foundation for building healthy cities. Before 1993, the construction of a healthy city in China was in the exploratory and pilot stage, and the spatial planning of urban squares did not receive enough attention. Many urban squares were used as transportation hubs or parking lots, which lacked functionality and esthetics [30]. The concept of a healthy city was introduced in the late 1990s, and the construction of healthy cities in China entered a stage of comprehensive development. The increasing demand for urban space has led to a rise in the study of urban square space, with attention being paid to the design, function, and social significance of urban squares. Wang [31] included urban squares as typical urban spaces in Urban Design. After 2000, China’s urban square space was researched gradually in-depth, mostly focusing on the spatial design and cultural connotation of urban squares [32]. After 2012, the city began to stock planning and renewal design, and the urban squares began the study of the current problem from the crowd use characteristics, exploring its strategy to meet the dual needs of older adults’ physical and mental health space [14,33,34]. The 2016 Outline of the “Healthy China 2030” Plan made optimizing health services, improving health protection, and building a healthy environment a strategic goal. In the National Healthy City Evaluation Indicator System (2018 Edition), there were fewer evaluation indicators for small-scale spaces such as urban square spaces. Therefore, strengthening the assessment and construction of these small-scale public spaces and developing corresponding health indicators can help create a more vibrant and healthy city spatial environment.

2.1.2. Impact of Urban Square Space on Older Adults’ Health

Relevant studies have shown that urban square space has an obvious intervention effect on the health of older adults, and the rational organization and creation of urban square space can effectively improve the daily activities of older adults and thus enhance their overall health [35,36]. Health interventions for older adults in urban square spaces can be categorized into three areas: physical health interventions, mental health interventions, and social health interventions (Figure 1).
In terms of physical health interventions, the urban square space is a diverse space that meets the basic physical needs of older adults and has a positive effect of preventing disease and promoting their physical health. Improving the urban square space system, encouraging older adults to choose green travel, and increasing the time of daily walking activities are of great significance in improving the physical functions of older adults [32]. Relevant scholars have conducted research on the relationship between urban square space elements and physiological health, and have found that older adults begin to deteriorate in terms of physiological functions as they grow older. It is mainly characterized by decreased motor function, neurological decline, and decreased immunity [18,37], and has special needs for the simplicity of zoning, resting facilities, and the safety of materials in urban square space. Safety and convenience are important factors affecting the spatial elderly suitability of urban squares, and specific indicators include transportation accessibility, the degree of improvement of facilities, the diversity of travel lines, and spatial arrangement [14,38]. These mainly measure whether the spatial layout and distribution of urban squares are reasonable, and whether it is convenient for older adults to travel to reach the urban squares.
In terms of mental health interventions, the urban square space has a psychological healing effect, which can relax people through the visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile senses; reduce stress; relieve fatigue; promote interaction; and enhance the sense of security. It has been found that urban square space can alleviate psychological problems such as anxiety, loneliness, and fatigue in older adults, and play a role in regulating and restoring their mental health [39]. Some scholars believe that the aroma of different plants has an aromatherapeutic effect to a certain extent, which produces significant health benefits through natural ecology and sensory experience, among other pathways [40]. The natural landscape has an important impact on improving the psychological stress of older adults, and blue–green space and a high green view index can effectively relieve the stress of older adults [41,42]. Sensory experience, which includes factors such as the positive elements of distraction and the tidiness of the environment, was used to measure the potential impact of urban square space on mental health. Analyzing the behavioral and psychological patterns of older adults, it was found that by introducing spatial elements, it is possible to promote a variety of experiential activities, effectively guide healthy behaviors, and improve the psychological activities of the population.
In terms of social health interventions, the urban square space is one of the key social benefits provided to older adults. Social health is defined as the population’s ability to interact with society, to have good social relationships, and to realize their self-worth, i.e., social participation and social sustainability [43,44]. Participation in urban square space is closely related to publicness, while the diversity and continuity of urban square culture can effectively enhance the social connection of the urban squares and reduce the sense of distance [45]. Due to the complex attributes of the urban squares themselves, the sustainability of urban square space also has implications for social health. The construction of urban squares should be based on the theory of sustainable development, reflecting the intrinsic value of the urban squares in terms of environmental and landscape benefits and social benefits, and promoting the social integration of older adults’ groups and the formation of good social relations [46]. Satisfying the healthy needs of the community is not limited to a specific space, but is a multifaceted integration of urban square spaces throughout the city. Enhancing the public nature and perpetuating the culture of the urban square, realizing the all-round inclusion of the older adult group, and reducing their sense of isolation contribute to the improvement of the social network of older adults.
Overall, the context of urban development in different periods and regions influences people’s perceptions and needs for public space. The development of urban square space has gradually evolved from the early pursuit of morphological esthetics to the pursuit of a composite spatial system with multiple needs. Healthy city, on the other hand, focuses on the relationship between urban space and health, with urban public space as an important object of study. Although the existing studies have more systematically and comprehensively explained the connection between urban public space and health, less attention has been paid to the evaluation of older adults’ multidimensional health needs and urban square spaces. Therefore, based on the theory related to healthy cities and elderly suitability, this essay utilizes GIS network analysis and the entropy weight method on the basis of constructing the evaluation index system, exploring the intervention performance of urban square spaces for older adults, and trying to propose corresponding optimization strategies.

2.2. Study Area

Located on the south shore of Dong Ting Lake and downstream of Zi Jiang River, Yiyang city is one of the important members of the city cluster in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, as well as an important member of the Chang Zhu Tan 3 + 5 city cluster. According to the data released by the Yiyang Bureau of Statistics, at the end of 2023, older adults in Yiyang accounted for 22.6% of the total population, higher than the national average. The country no longer promotes the construction of municipal urban squares, and cultural and commemorative urban squares are no longer monofunctional. Urban squares are increasingly built with citizens’ daily leisure, recreation, and entertainment in the center, and the urban squares are gradually diversified to the function of the development [47]. Therefore, studying and assessing the elderly suitability of Yiyang city center square space is not only crucial for enhancing the urban image, but also for promoting social interaction and economic development. It also meets the diverse needs of older adults, promotes sustainable development, and ensures the scientific and effective nature of urban planning. Based on the spatial distribution characteristics and the use of the urban squares in the Yiyang city center, this essay adopts a judgmental sampling method to select six leisure urban squares in the Yiyang city center that are adjacent to residential areas, have a large flow of people, and cover a large area as the main research objects (Figure 2).

2.3. Construction of Evaluation Indicator System

Elderly suitability evaluation indicators that were closely related to the health of older adults were screened based on relevant studies. Safety [16,48,49,50] was the most important aspect that scholars emphasized in elderly suitability design, listing it as one of the principles of elderly suitability design, followed by comfort [17,48,49,50], accessibility [15,51,52,53], socialization [15,51,52,53], ecology [16,53], humanism [11,54], and convenience [55], which also received high attention. Different scholars have presented their understanding of elderly suitability design from different fields, the focus of the research is more dispersed, and the content is more concentrated in one direction under the research. Therefore, in this essay, indicators related to convenience, safety, ecology, comfort, and socialization were selected from the three dimensions of physical, psychological, and social health. The concept of sustainable development in the construction of urban squares not only encourages the participation of older adults in the design and management of the squares and ensures that the space meets the practical needs of older adults, but also enhances the older adults’ sense of belonging and participation and promotes social cohesion. Thus, this essay incorporates it into the social health dimension to further improve the completeness and systematization of the evaluation indicators. Six secondary indicators and 18 tertiary indicators were finally established to form the urban square space elderly suitability evaluation index system (Table 1).
Convenience refers to the ability to have smooth and unobstructed access to, entry to, and passage through, allowing one to reach as many urban square spaces as possible. The openness of space should ensure that their service radius can cover the mobility range of older adults around them [9], and that they can reach the urban squares more easily. Guide signs refer to the types of signage, such as safety and guidance, that can help the elderly to identify the characteristics of their environment [17]. Due to the differences in the mobility of older adults, the diversity of lines [56] facilitates the choice of suitable lines to reach the urban squares. The completeness of facilities refers to the availability of services such as public restrooms, sports equipment, and stores in urban squares [52].
Safety is the first principle of elderly suitability design [53]. Good hygiene status minimizes the negative impact of urban squares on the health of older adults, who have weakened immunity and suffer from a variety of chronic diseases. Post-management maintenance ensures the safety of older adults using urban square activity facilities and reduces the occurrence of dangerous situations. Older adults with slow limbs and deteriorating mobility need to be assured of safe and smooth behavioral activities, and accessibility aids travel by providing mobility-impaired older adults with opportunities to get close to nature and participate in social activities [57].
Ecology means that the distribution of greening in the urban squares is appropriate, the elements are staggered and have both ornamental and practical value, which is conducive to improving the environment for older adults’ activities. Air quality and noise levels reflect the suitability of urban squares for older adults, and good air quality and noise levels are beneficial to the physical and mental health of older adults [58]. The urban square plants are skillfully matched, with changing landscape design in all the seasons, and a high green view index can give older adults a fresh feeling and enhance their interest [41].
Comfort means that the urban square has a healthy city environment with convenient facilities that bring comfort to older adults. The tidiness of the urban square environment is conducive to a good activity experience for older adults [55]. Older adults and other age groups have different body scales and have their own unique activity characteristics therefore the extent to which the spatial site scale meets the activity needs of older adults in public activity spaces [15]. Next, PRD [56] is used to indicate the connectivity of lines within the urban square space, with a larger PRD indicating a smoother pathway for a good walking experience for older adults.
Sustainability means emphasizing the sustainability of the ecological environment, having low energy consumption, conforming to the requirements of the laws of nature, and adhering to the principle of sustainable development. Educational benefits motivate older adults to exchange cultural activities in urban squares. Landscape benefits [46] enrich the plant arrangement of the urban squares with good visual value of the landscape, and both together enhance the sustainability of the urban squares.
Socialization means that public spaces are designed from the outset to be participatory and to promote interactive interactions among groups of people. Enhancing the square cultural expression in urban square space can help to strengthen the connection and identity between the elderly and the environment, and form a more harmonious elderly suitability social space [54]. Space accessibility refers to the availability of various types of rich social and recreational facilities to meet the social needs of older adults and facilitate communication and fitness among them [50]. A relaxing atmosphere refers to the richness of the urban square space in the operation and management of the organization of all kinds of cultural and sports activities, to create a space that facilitates interaction to meet the pursuit of a rich life for older adults [48].

2.4. Data Sources

The research data in this essay are divided into two categories, one is qualitative data—the questionnaire was constructed through the Likert scale [56], and interviews and the distribution of questionnaires were conducted with older adults in the squares. To ensure that the survey was broad and representative, 50 copies were distributed in each urban square, and the questionnaires were filled out after screening their age of 60 years or older, and a total of 300 questionnaires were completed. The final result was 288 valid questionnaires (excluding incomplete questionnaires), with a validity rate of 96%. Data were collected on the scores of older adults on the evaluation indicators of the elderly suitability of each urban square, including the satisfaction scores on the openness of the space, square cultural expression, educational benefits, relaxing atmosphere, etc. The other type of data are quantitative data, which are required for road connectivity, core density, and accessibility, and are obtained from the Open Street Map website on 12 January 2024 for expressways, arterials, secondary roads, and side streets, combined with the Baidu map database, planning cloud-crawling urban square POI data. At the same time, field research was conducted on the squares at different times of the day (morning, midday, and evening), and data on the number of guide signs, air quality, noise levels, hygiene status, and accessibility in the six urban squares were collected.

2.5. Research Methodology

The entropy weight method (EWM) is an objective assignment method based on information entropy. It calculates the entropy value of each evaluation index to determine their degree of dissociation, and then determines the weight value of each index; the larger the entropy value, the smaller its weight. Intervention in older adults’ health in the urban square space of the city encompasses three aspects of physical, psychological, and social health, and it is assumed that the total contribution of each evaluation indicator to the impact on the health of older adults is 100 percent. The steps for calculating the above three indicators are as follows: Firstly, the raw indicator data are standardized. Secondly, in order to eliminate subjective preferences in the assignment of indicators, the entropy weight method is applied to determine the weight of each indicator. Finally, the standardized values for each indicator are weighted and summed to obtain an index value, and the overall health intervention score is the sum of the scores for all primary indicators. Specific calculation steps are as follows:
(1)
Constructing an indicator matrix with raw data from case urban squares.
(2)
Normalization of raw indicator data by means of divergence normalization.
(3)
Calculating the entropy value of each indicator:
e j = − k ∑ i = 1 m ( r i j ′ × ln ⁡ r i j ′ )
where k = 1 ln ⁡ m , k ≥ 0 , 0 ≤ e j ≤ 1 , e j is the entropy value of indicator j, j and r i j ′ is the weight of the value of indicator j for level i urban squares.
(4)
Calculating the weight of each indicator:
d j = 1 − e j
W j = d j ∑ j = 1 n d j
where d j is the entropy redundancy of indicator j and W j is the weight of indicator j .
(5)
Calculating the tertiary indicator score for each case urban square:
S i j = W j × r i j ′
where S i j is the score for indicator j for level i urban squares.
(6)
Calculating total health intervention scores for secondary and primary indicators for each case urban square:
S j = ∑ j = 1 n S i j d j
where S j is the health intervention index for level j urban squares.

3. Results

3.1. Space Distribution of Urban Squares

Based on the POI data of Yiyang city squares, kernel density [59] and accessibility analysis [60] were performed using GIS network analysis (Figure 3). The results show that (1) Yiyang city square is in the overall spatial distribution of “One center with multiple dispersal points”. That is, the gathering center consists of Wen Chang Square, Yiyang Celebrity Square, Da Yu Square, etc. on both sides of the Zi Jiang Scenic Belt, as well as Kanina Civic Square, Sculpture Square, and other squares that present a scattered distribution. (2) Calculating the range of service areas for different travel times based on the walking mode of older adults, it is found that when the walking time is less than 15 min, the service area coverage of the urban squares accounts for a total of 21.99%, which can only satisfy the use of older adults in a certain area. The percentage of urban square service area coverage corresponding to the three time periods of 0–5 min, 5–10 min, and 10–15 min were 3.06%, 7.97%, and 10.96%, respectively. The scope of the service area of the urban square is mainly concentrated in the north-central part of the city, located on both sides of the Zi Jiang wind belt in the urban center of the city. The northern part of Ziyang District and the southern part of Heshan District have few urban squares arranged, and the service area range is small in size. From the perspective of the needs of older adults, the uneven spatial arrangement of Yiyang city squares has led to differences in the enjoyment of urban square services by older adults.

3.2. Urban Square Space Intervention Performance

Calculating the level of health interventions in the urban squares space by means of the indicators of the physical health, mental health, and social health needs of older adults and calculating the spatial health score of the urban squares, it is concluded that the overall intervention value of the urban square space is mainly distributed between 0.291 and 0.710, with an average value of 0.481. And, the overall intervention of the urban squares is better, but there is still room for improvement in some of the urban squares, such as Wenchang Square, the North Square of the Olympic Park, etc. (Table 2).

3.2.1. Physical Health Intervention Impact

The mean physical health intervention score for the study case urban squares was 0.211. Urban squares rated above the mean are high intervention squares, including Kanina Civic Square, E Yang Chi Square, and Long Zhou Square. The relatively high density of the road network and the overall level of services and facilities in these urban squares affect the daily activities of older adults. This can be divided into two categories, a category such as the high diversity of lines within and around the Kanina Civic Square, with a high number of guide signs, making travel easier and more varied for older adults and promoting the healthy development of their physical functioning. Another category, such as E Yang Chi Square, is close to the main urban amenity road, with a suitable degree of openness, abundant activity space for older adults inside, and a high degree of completeness of facilities, attracting older adults for short restful walks and increasing their activity enrichment. Scores below the average for low-intervention squares, which have a single function, weak post-management and maintenance, poor accessibility to public facilities, and fewer gatherings of older adults resulting in unused space. Such as Olympic Park North Square, close to the Olympic Park, the surrounding industry is rich, but the square opening distance is far away, the square spatial expression forms monotony, and accessibility, seats, and other infrastructure are insufficient, resulting in lower length of stay and utilization by older adults and more trips to the interior of the park (Table 3).

3.2.2. Mental Health Intervention Impact

The mean mental health intervention score for the study case urban squares was 0.141. The high-intervention squares include Kanina Civic Square, Long Zhou Square, and Wen Chang Square. These urban squares are better in terms of ecology and comfort, with pleasant spatial scales, and the natural landscape environment inside the squares has a positive effect on the mental health of older adults. A category such as Kanina Civic Square internal plant species, landscape green view index is the high, pleasant mood of older adults. At the same time, landscape vignettes alternating staggered arrangement, the urban square pavement material reasonable transition and change, so that the urban square steps, for older adults, have a soothing, relaxing role in the heart. Another category, such as Long Zhou Square, has good air quality and noise levels, and the comfortable venue prompts a range of recreational activities for older adults. Such as chess tournaments and winter swimming enhance the vitality of the urban square to create a comfortable and active atmosphere for older adults. Mental health low-intervention squares have poor environmental tidiness, low green view index and disjointed scale of the urban square’s interior spaces, and a low sense of experience for older adults. For example, in E Yang Chi Square, due to the early construction time, the internal garbage of the urban square is piled up and thrown away, and there is a hygiene and monitoring dead corner. At the same time, the pool fountain in the center is too large in scale and single in shape, and the overall quality of the environment is reduced affecting the experience and mood of older adults (Table 4).

3.2.3. Social Health Intervention Impact

The mean social health intervention score for the study case urban squares was 0.129. High intervention squares include Kanina Civic Square, Olympic Park North Square, E Yang Chi Square, Sculpture Square, etc. These types of squares have a relatively high degree of publicness and accessibility of the urban square space due to factors such as internal management and urban culture. One category, such as the Sculpture Square near Zhou Libo’s former residence, set up a cultural promenade and sculpture in the urban square, to carry out a series of cultural activities to strengthen the construction of spiritual civilization in the urban square, and to enhance cultural exchanges among older adults. Another category of urban square, such as E Yang Chi Square, divides the internal space into several parts, such as social activities, cultural display, leisure, and exercise, prompting the gathering of a certain group of people. The urban square is more inclusive and effective in enhancing the intrinsic value of the urban square. Low intervention squares have poorer cultural performance and low space participation making older adults gather and stay for less time. Such as Wen Chang Square near the Wen Chang Pavilion has a deep cultural heritage, but the lack of corresponding development and the management of internal service facilities are weak, education and landscape benefits are poor, and the crowd mostly leisure walks through. At the same time, the sidewalks of the urban square are occupied by private cars, preventing older adults from walking in a sustainable development (Table 5).
In summary, the reasons why urban square space influences differences in the performance of health interventions for older adults centered on the following six areas: (1) The quality of the physical spatial quality of the urban square, including the established public space within the square, service facilities, and the degree of mixing of natural conditions and land use, affects the quality of older adults’ travel and health. (2) The diversity and convenience of travel routes determine the richness of the daily activities of older adults. (3) The improvement of the environmental quality of the urban square space can increase the frequency and duration of activities for older adults. (4) The promotion of multiple categories of physical activity and ecological landscapes is beneficial to the physical and mental health of older adults. (5) The enhancement of the security of the urban square, including the creation of a safe and stable environment inside the square and post-management and maintenance. (6) The use of public space in squares to enhance the social interaction of older adults, including the construction of square culture campaigns and the organization of related activities, to create an atmosphere of leisure and bustle.
The renewal and renovation of health-oriented elderly suitability urban square space should be based on the connotation of physiological, psychological, and social health of older adults through the optimization of spatial quality, completion of infrastructure, sorting out of travel routes, creation of a cozy atmosphere, improving environmental quality, stimulating physical activity, enhancing safety and security, and promoting social interaction through the eight optimization pathways. Designing and evaluating the spatial elements of urban squares improves the theoretical foundation of healthy cities and elderly suitability urban squares, and provides lessons for updating the design of healthy urban square space in the future. The mechanism of action of elderly suitability urban square space reflects the impact of their spaces on the health of older adults, ensuring that the indicators are in line with the health connotations of elderly suitability urban square space (Figure 4). The space of healthy urban squares in line with elderly suitability should be oriented to the health of older adults, and be endowed with healthy functions in terms of spatial quality, landscape environment, safety and security, and social interaction in the urban squares, so as to create a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere of the urban squares with regional characteristics.

4. Discussion

4.1. In Terms of Research Findings

Compared with the existing studies, this essay finds that the spatial distribution of urban squares can visualize its density distribution in a certain area through kernel density analysis and accessibility analysis, revealing the rationality of its spatial distribution and its impact on the activities of older adults. These two analysis methods complement each other and together provide a scientific analysis basis for the spatial distribution of urban squares. Nevertheless, due to the limited availability of data, this essay does not incorporate the distribution characteristics of regional older adults to study the actual radiation range of urban squares, which has some limitations. Attention should be paid to overall accessibility, combining transportation planning for large urban spaces and small public spaces so that older adults can reach public spaces more easily. Due to the differences in the travel modes of older adults such as walking, biking, and public transportation, the various forms of transportation perform differently in terms of urban square space accessibility, which affects social equity and justice. The planning and layout of urban squares should be people-oriented, fully safeguarding the public interest and addressing the inequality in the enjoyment of square space by older adults and other disadvantaged groups.
The spatial intervention performance of urban squares categorizes the squares into two types of urban squares, high and low intervention, with differences mainly in terms of spatial diversity, connectivity of lines, completeness of infrastructure, and quality of the landscape environment. Older adults usually travel on foot and by public transportation, strengthening the transport connection between bus stops and open spaces in urban squares, and creating greenways that are safe and comfortable, with beautiful natural environments and smooth and convenient access.

4.2. In Terms of Optimization Strategies

As many urban squares have not been systematically planned, they have not been effectively integrated into the urban landscape network. Especially large and medium-sized urban squares, which often have difficulty attracting crowds due to the lack of organic links with residential areas. Meanwhile, many scholars basically propose improvement strategies for urban squares from traditional perspectives such as functional zoning [18], traffic organization [61], and landscape greening [62]. Its problematic strategy is mainly the macro-coordination of the study area and its surroundings, with less attention paid to the spatial system of the urban squares. And in the micro-scale is mostly focused on the completion of internal infrastructure, landscape, and green transformation, the consideration of urban square space design is relatively weak. Therefore, this essay focuses on the reconfiguration of the urban square spatial system, and internal spatial transformation to put forward the corresponding optimization strategy. At the same time, the optimization and renovation of urban squares need to be systematic and humanized, with full consideration of the needs of older adults. First of all harmonizing with the surrounding environment. Secondly, it optimizes the space for older adults in three aspects: upgrading the spatial character, stimulating the vitality of the, optimizing the landscape environment, creating a characteristic urban square, and constructing a networked healthy and synergistic urban square space system. Finally, the participation of many parties, so that older people are involved in the transformation process, the formation of a more perfect urban square space suitable for older adults to create a mechanism, so as to promote the construction of a harmonious and healthy urban square.

4.3. Limitations and Prospects

The research on the elderly suitability of urban squares still has some shortcomings: Firstly, due to the limited data and technology, the evaluation index system is constructed only from the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of older adults. In the future, further improvements can be made in terms of behavioral characteristics of older adults, natural conditions, etc. Secondly, the study subjects are typical recreational squares and do not cover other types of squares, which may have other elderly suitability problems. In future studies, expanding the scope of the study could be used to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the elderly suitability of different types of urban squares. Combining traditional research with big data and other methods, we are able to make a more scientific observation and record of the crowd behavior and distribution characteristics of urban square space as well as the comfort perception of users. Gradually improve research on the elderly suitability of urban square spaces to promote healthy city life and social interaction among older adults.

5. Conclusions and Suggestions

5.1. Conclusions

In the context of healthy city development, the urban square is not only the daily activity place of older adults but also one of the important media to promote their healthy life. GIS network analysis method and entropy weight method were used to analyze the distribution characteristics, spatial accessibility, and the influence of space on older adults. The results of the study show that:
(1)
In terms of evaluation indexes, most of the existing studies have constructed an evaluation index system for elderly suitability squares from the dimensions of physiological, psychological, and behavioral activities of older adults. This essay further improves the evaluation index system of urban square space for elderly suitability by constructing it from the multi-dimensional aspects of physiological, psychological, and social health.
(2)
In terms of spatial layout, the lack of a number of urban squares and their unbalanced layout have resulted in a smaller range of accessible service areas for urban squares. Lower accessibility does not meet the need for older adults to walk to the urban square for use.
(3)
In terms of spatial intervention performance, the reasons for differences in health interventions for older adults in urban square spaces centered on the quality of the square space, the variety and convenience of travel lines, tidiness of the environment, the promotion of physical activities, safety, and social interaction.

5.2. Suggestions

Based on the performance of health interventions for older adults and the existing problems of the urban square, this essay proposes the following optimization suggestions from macro and micro perspectives, oriented to the health needs of older adults:

5.2.1. Improving the Quality of Space and Energizing the Urban Square

The urban square is one of the most important places for leisure and recreation for older adults, with enough space and venues to support the holding of various activities for older adults, such as chess and cards, tai chi, square dancing, and walking, which promote their physical health. In order to improve and energize the urban squares, the spatial quality of the urban square should be upgraded by transforming the design, updating the lost spaces, and utilizing the implementable space of the urban square and landscape node renovation [63] (Figure 5). First of all, integrate the existing space of the urban square and promote the orderly renewal of the urban square; the urban square space includes activity space, road space, building accessory space, etc. These spaces should cooperate with each other in order to give full play to their respective efficacy, such as activity space should be evenly distributed and diversified construction. Road space can be connected to various landscape nodes according to the road. And, the building accessory space can be set up with sports equipment for the construction of an interesting and interactive space. Secondly, constructing a large area of health trails, utilizing roads to connect various types of spaces, improving the linear flow of urban square space, and increasing the richness and convenience of walking activities for older adults [64]. Finally, with the support of the relevant government departments, the landscape nodes will be renovated, such as planting aquatic plants on the gentle slopes of the waterfront space, constructing water-friendly viewing platforms, etc., and the old facilities will be renewed. Through the renewal and renovation of negative and unused spaces, a large number of people are attracted to the area, enhancing the gathering of people and the vitality of the urban squares.

5.2.2. Optimizing the Landscape Environment and Creating a Characteristic Urban Square

The elderly suitability urban squares not only focus on humanized design to meet the comfort of the older adults’ sense and green travel needs, but should also emphasize local characteristics to urban squares with warmth and a sense of psychological belonging (Figure 6). The green environment not only affects the behavior of the older adults in terms of recreation and activities, but also isolates the street noise and other adverse effects from the outside world, and separates the space. Firstly, the creation of multi-layered landscapes enhances psychological healing. In the urban square open space planting lush plants, green planting in layers, using flowers, shrubs, and trees multi-level, multi-seasonal vegetation mixed planting. This approach optimizes the design of the spatial form and the sensory experience of older adults in order to enhance the space utilization and greening rate of the urban square [42]. Secondly, the urban square should show the environmental atmosphere of leisure and entertainment, and the various environmental elements of the urban square, such as green plants, structures, water features, and spatial colors should be coordinated with each other to create a lively and relaxing atmosphere. And creating a strong urban square culture is conducive to the shaping of local characteristics of the urban square, attracting older adults for leisure and recreational activities [65]. Finally, renewable landscaping is utilized to reduce waste of resources by paving the urban square with permeable gravel and lawns. At the same time, the use of participatory design methods for older adults and the addition of agricultural landscapes to the public space increases the interest of the older adults and enhances the attractiveness of the space while meeting ecological sustainability.

5.2.3. Building a Networked Healthy and Synergistic Urban Square Spatial System

Building a healthy and synergistic network of urban square spaces is an important way for the health of urban squares to develop and further contribute to the health of society [56]. From the local to the whole, as the service radius changes, mutual assistance and sharing between different levels of urban squares facilitates the social interaction of older adults (Figure 6). The first level is the city center squares with the largest service radius, with a typical central urban square with regional characteristics as the core. The second level is the establishment of a system of community-level squares covering the entire region, with the residential community as the basic unit. The third level is a system of neighborhood mini-squares serving neighborhoods or blocks in the construction of the urban square space systems, the use of “point–line–surface” combination mode, and converting the urban square space system into a unified and complete system to better play its ecological landscape and social benefits. At the same time, a mutual assistance mechanism has been established to improve the monitoring system and management methods. The use of urban squares at different levels as firefighting grounds and alternate evacuation sites has been further promoted. Finally, it should also deeply excavate the city’s unique history and culture, living customs, local customs, etc., integrating them into the urban green space system, so as to make it become a square space system integrating ecological environment, cultural characteristics, leisure and entertainment.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, H.T. and Y.L.; methodology, H.T. and Y.L.; software, H.T. and Y.L.; validation, H.T. and Y.L.; formal analysis, Y.L.; investigation, Y.L.; resources, H.T.; data curation, H.T. and Y.L.; writing—original draft preparation, Y.L.; writing—review and editing, H.T. and Y.L.; visualization, H.T. and Y.L.; supervision, H.T.; project administration, H.T.; funding acquisition, H.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by the National Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program Project (in China), grant number S202311527003; Hunan Provincial Philosophy and Social Science Fund Project (in China), grant number 20YBQ024.

Data Availability Statement

Data is contained within the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank for teachers and classmates on the team, as well as parents supporting this research.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Buildings 14 02482 g001
Figure 1. Map of relationship between urban square space and health interventions for older adults.
Figure 1. Map of relationship between urban square space and health interventions for older adults.
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Figure 2. Study area.
Figure 2. Study area.
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Figure 3. Analysis of urban square space (a) Kernel density results, (b) Accessibility results.
Figure 3. Analysis of urban square space (a) Kernel density results, (b) Accessibility results.
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Figure 4. Mechanisms of spatial elderly suitability in health-oriented urban squares.
Figure 4. Mechanisms of spatial elderly suitability in health-oriented urban squares.
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Figure 5. Renovation and renewal of urban square space.
Figure 5. Renovation and renewal of urban square space.
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Figure 6. (a) Featured urban square creation; (b) construction of urban square space system.
Figure 6. (a) Featured urban square creation; (b) construction of urban square space system.
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Table 1. Evaluation index system of urban square space for elderly suitability.
Table 1. Evaluation index system of urban square space for elderly suitability.
Primary IndicatorsSecondary IndicatorsTertiary IndicatorsNature of IndicatorsDescription of IndicatorsWeights
Physical healthConvenienceOpenness of spacePositive The satisfaction score of older adults with the openness of urban square space0.036
Number of guide signsPositive The number of signs installed within the urban square0.088
Diversity of linesPositive The total number of lines reaching the urban square within the 800 m radius0.039
Completeness of facilitiesPositive The number of barrier-free facilities, sitting-out facilities, toilets, street lights0.064
SafetyHygiene statusPositive Trash cans, the number of cleaners, and the tidiness of roads0.071
Post-management maintenancePositive The number of management and maintenance staff and number of monitors0.069
AccessibilityPositive The number of accessible ramps and handrails in urban squares0.068
Mental healthEcologyAir qualityNegativeAir quality AQI magnitude0.054
Noise levelsNegativeNoise level in decibels0.046
Green view indexPositive Obtaining street pictures of the study area in four directions, front and back, left and right, for calculations, and selecting four study points for each case urban square and calculating the mean value of the urban square0.055
ComfortTidiness of the environmentPositive The urban square environment is free of debris, regularly cleaned, and garbage-sorted0.048
Affinity of scalePositive Is the sense of scale pleasant and well integrated with the surrounding environment?0.041
Connectivity of linesPositive PRD = Practical length/Linear distance0.060
Social healthSustainabilityEducational benefitsPositive Public education sites and landscape environmental education0.051
Landscape benefitsPositive The visual value of the landscape and perceived value of the city0.062
SocializationSquare cultural expressionPositive The cultural characteristics of the place and cultural performance of the urban square0.038
Space accessibilityPositive Event venues for people interaction0.059
Relaxing atmospherePositive The richness of the urban square’s interactions and the degree of crowd concentration0.052
Table 2. Summary of scores for interventions in older adults’ health by urban square space.
Table 2. Summary of scores for interventions in older adults’ health by urban square space.
Name of the SquarePhysical Health InterventionsMental Health InterventionsSocial Health InterventionsHolistic InterventionsArrange in Order
Kanina Civic Square0.3690.1880.1530.7101
E Yang Chi Square0.3340.1310.1620.6282
Long Zhou Square0.2380.1560.1000.4943
Sculpture Square0.1270.1360.1620.4254
Wen Chang Square0.1270.1450.0190.2916
Olympic Park North Square0.0680.0880.1790.3355
Table 3. Comparison of physical health interventions in urban square space.
Table 3. Comparison of physical health interventions in urban square space.
TypologyUrban Square Space Plan FormUrban Square Space CharacteristicsImpact of Space InterventionsLive EnvironmentDelegates’ Square
High intervention squareBuildings 14 02482 i001(1) Higher density of road network
(2) Strong space orientation
(3) Abundant public space		High space openness
Diversity of lines		Buildings 14 02482 i002Kanina Civic Square
Low intervention squareBuildings 14 02482 i003(1) Weak post-management
(2) Single function of the urban square
(3) Inadequate infrastructure		Waste of unused space
Low security of the urban square		Buildings 14 02482 i004Olympic Park North Square
Table 4. Comparison of mental health interventions in urban square space.
Table 4. Comparison of mental health interventions in urban square space.
TypologyUrban Square Space Plan FormUrban Square Space CharacteristicsImpact of Space InterventionsLive EnvironmentDelegates’ Square
High intervention squareBuildings 14 02482 i005(1) Rich green landscape
(2) Strong line connectivity
(3) Pleasant space scale		Mental and emotional healing
Physical activity enhancement		Buildings 14 02482 i006Long Zhou Square
Low intervention squareBuildings 14 02482 i007(1) Low green view index of the landscape
(2) Low environmental cleanliness
(3) Monotonous public space		Poor experience comfort
Reduced environmental quality		Buildings 14 02482 i008E Yang Chi Square
Table 5. Comparison of social health interventions in urban square space.
Table 5. Comparison of social health interventions in urban square space.
TypologyUrban Square Space Plan FormUrban Square Space
Characteristics		Impact of Space InterventionsLive EnvironmentDelegates’ Square
High
intervention square		Buildings 14 02482 i009(1) High social benefits
(2) Highly inclusive urban square
(3) Variety of visual landscapes		Enhance public communication
Creating a lively atmosphere		Buildings 14 02482 i010Sculpture Square
Low
intervention square		Buildings 14 02482 i011(1) Low space participation
(2) Poor cultural performance
(3) Low crowd gathering		Lack of leisure atmosphere
Reduced sustainability		Buildings 14 02482 i012Wen Chang Square
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Li, Y.; Tang, H. Health-Oriented Evaluation and Optimization of Urban Square Space Elderly Suitability: A Case Study of Yiyang City Center. Buildings 2024, 14, 2482. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082482

AMA Style

Li Y, Tang H. Health-Oriented Evaluation and Optimization of Urban Square Space Elderly Suitability: A Case Study of Yiyang City Center. Buildings. 2024; 14(8):2482. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082482

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Yuhua, and Hui Tang. 2024. "Health-Oriented Evaluation and Optimization of Urban Square Space Elderly Suitability: A Case Study of Yiyang City Center" Buildings 14, no. 8: 2482. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082482

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