Therapeutic landscape optimization strategies for age-appropriate public facilities in Shanghai
As urbanization accelerates and populations age, creating age-appropriate environments that support elderly health and well-being has become a critical challenge. This study focuses on optimizing the configuration of public service facilities in Shanghai from the perspective of health care and therapeutic landscapes. By combining mobile signaling data, point-of-interest data, and geospatial analysis, the research identifies key patterns in elderly travel behaviors and accessibility to public services. Results reveal disparities between urban and suburban areas, highlighting issues such as long travel distances, mismatches in facility supply and demand, and insufficient therapeutic environments. Drawing on theories of therapeutic landscape and environmental psychology, this study proposes landscape optimization strategies, including dynamic flowerbed rest areas, plant-barrier healing corners, photovoltaic art exhibition corridors, and photovoltaic health-sharing kiosks, tailored to different districts. These strategies aim to enhance travel comfort, alleviate stress, and promote social and cognitive well-being among the elderly. The findings provide theoretical insights and practical recommendations for designing inclusive and therapeutic urban spaces that cater to the unique needs of aging populations. Future research should explore pilot implementations and refine strategies based on empirical evaluations and elderly-specific preferences.
Annerstedt, M., Ostergren, P.O., Björk, J., Grahn, P., Skärbäck, E., & Währborg, P. (2012). Green qualities in the neighbourhood and mental health - results from a longitudinal cohort study in Southern Sweden. BMC Public Health, 12(1):337. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-337
Dennis, M., Cook, P.A., James, P., Wheater, C.P., & Lindley, S.J. (2020). Relationships between health outcomes in older populations and urban green infrastructure size, quality and proximity. BMC Public Health, 20(1):626. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08762-x
Finlay, J.M., Franke, T., McKay, H., & Sims-Gould, J. (2015). Therapeutic landscapes and wellbeing in later life: Impacts of blue and green spaces for older adults. Health and Place, 34:97-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.05.001
Gesler, W. (1993). Therapeutic landscapes: Theory and a case research of epidauros, greece. Environment and Planning D Society and Space, 11(2):171-189. https://doi.org/10.1068/d110171
Goodspeed, R., Yan, X., Hardy, J., Vydiswaran, V.V., Berrocal, V.J., Clarke, P., et al. (2018). Comparing the data quality of global positioning system devices and mobile phones for assessing relationships between place, mobility, and health: Field study. JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth, 6(8):e168. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9771
Hassan, A., & Deshun, Z. (2024). Impact of sleeping in a forest on sleep quality and mental well-being. Explore (NY), 20(4):501-506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2023.11.006
Herzog, T.R., Maguire, C.P., & Nebel, M.B. (1997). Assessing the restorative components of environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 17(2):101-114.
Hu, Y., & Han, Y. (2019). Identification of Urban functional areas based on POI data: A case study of the guangzhou economic and technological development zone. Sustainability, 11(5):1385. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11051385
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lin, X., Yusoff, W.F.M., & Sulaiman, M. K.A.M. (2025). Evaluating the therapeutic qualities of community parks: An elderly-centric perspective. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 111: 128874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128874
Lo, R.H., & Yang, H. (2020). Elderly mobility patterns and green space in Urban China: A big data analysis. Cities, 100:102666.
Maas, J., Verheij, R.A., De Vries, S., Spreeuwenberg, P., Schellevis, F.G., & Groenewegen, P.P. (2006). Green space, urbanity, and health: How strong is the relation? Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60(7), 587-592. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2005.043125
Marcus, C.C., & Sachs, N.A. (2013). Therapeutic Landscapes: An Evidence-Based Approach to Designing Healing Gardens and Restorative Outdoor Spaces. United States: John Wiley and Sons.
Milligan, C., Gatrell, A., & Bingley, A. (2004). “Cultivating health”: Therapeutic landscapes and older people in Northern England. Social Science and Medicine, 58(9):1781-1793. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00397-6
Mitchell, R., & Popham, F. (2008). Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: An observational population study. The Lancet, 372(9650):1655-1660. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61689-X
Shanghai Municipal Health Commission. (2022). Shanghai Action Plan for Healthy Aging (2022-2025). Shanghai: Shanghai Municipal Health Commission. Available from: https://www.shanghai.gov.cn/cmsres/8a/8a01f28b96ce4877a5cbca561bfc59aa/8ce6ccdbbf5825178941865f43ab7801.pdf
Shanghai Municipal People’s Government. (2018). Shanghai Urban Master Plan (2017-2035). Shanghai: Shanghai Municipal People’s Government. Available from: https://ghzyj.sh.gov. cn/gtztgh/20230920/9799aa7eeed84b8aa318983474f9eccf. html
Sugiyama, T., & Thompson, C.W. (2007). Outdoor environments, activity and the well-being of older people: Conceptualising environmental support. Environment and Planning A Economy and Space, 39(8):1943-1960. https://doi.org/10.1068/a3822
Taylor, H.O., Taylor, R.J., Nguyen, A.W., & Chatters, L. (2016). Social isolation, depression, and psychological distress among older adults. Journal of Aging and Health, 30(2):229-246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264316673511
Tzoulas, K., Korpela, K., Venn, S., Yli-Pelkonen, V., Kaźmierczak, A., Niemelä, J., et al. (2007). Promoting ecosystem and human health in urban areas using green infrastructure: A literature review. Landscape and Urban Planning, 81(3):167-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.02.001
Ulrich, R.S. (2002). Health Benefits of Gardens in Hospitals. ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate. net/publication/252307449_health_benefits_of_gardens_ in_hospitals
Ulrich, R.S., Simons, R.F., Losito, B.D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M.A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11(3):201-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7
Wilson, E.O. (1984). Biophilia. United States: Harvard University Press.
Zhou, X., & Chen, L. (2019). Big data and landscape planning: How data-driven approaches can optimize Urban design for elderly wellness. Urban research, 56(5):981-1002.