Spatial planning interventions for winter sunbathing: Optimizing neighborhood open spaces for the elderly in Jiande, China

Abstract

As global aging accelerates, addressing older adults' winter sunbathing—a culturally and significant practice enhancing well-being—remains underexplored in spatial planning. This study identifies and optimizes neighborhood open spaces (NOS) for winter sunbathing to improve elderly quality of life and social inclusion. We developed a framework integrating sunlight exposure (≥ 3 h), wind conditions (≤ 2 m/s), and walkability assessments. Analyzing 5.64 km² of Jiande, China, we identified 495 climatically suitable NOS. Findings reveal stark spatial disparities: older neighborhoods offer better access, while newer gated developments face shortages, exacerbated by topography-driven east-west climatic divides. Over 75% of elderly residents rely on small, fragmented spaces, with informal areas filling planning gaps. High-rise developments increase wind exposure, limiting outdoor activity and further restricting suitable NOS. The study underscores the potential of informal spaces, such as vacant lots and underutilized areas, in addressing planning deficiencies. It highlights the critical role of spatial planning interventions in promoting aging in place, equitable access, and climate-responsive urban design. The proposed framework offers a transferable approach for integrating climate-sensitive, age-friendly design into global urban planning, fostering healthier and more inclusive cities for aging populations.

Keywords

Sunbathing / Elder friendly / Urban microclimate / Neighborhood open spaces / Inclusive development

References

[1] Abidin, Z. , Yasmara, D. , 2019. The effectiveness of afternoon sunbath in improving elderly sleep quality. Indian J. Public Health Res. Dev. 10 (9).

[2] Angelsen, A. , Dokken, T. , 2018. Climate exposure, vulnerability and environmental reliance: a cross-section analysis of structural and stochastic poverty. Environ. Dev. Econ. 23 (3), 257- 278.

[3] Annear, M. , Keeling, S. , Wilkinson, T.I.M. , Cushman, G. , Gidlow, B.O.B. , Hopkins, H. , 2014. Environmental influences on healthy and active ageing: a systematic review. Ageing Soc. 34 (4), 590- 622.

[4] Badland, H. , Whitzman, C. , Lowe, M. , Davern, M. , Aye, L. , Butterworth, I. , et al., 2014. Urban liveability: emerging lessons from Australia for exploring the potential for indicators to measure the social determinants of health. Soc. Sci. Med. 111, 64- 73.

[5] Barnett, D.W. , Barnett, A. , Nathan, A. , Van Cauwenberg, J. , Cerin, E. , Council on Environment and Physical Activity (CEPA)e Older Adults Working Group , 2017. Built environmental correlates of older adults' total physical activity and walking: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys.Activ. 14, 1- 24.

[6] Bayar, R. , Yılmaz, M. , 2023. Measuring age-friendliness based on the walkability indices of older people to urban facilities. Urban Des. Int. 28 (1), 35.

[7] Bergen, K. , Jubenvill, M. , Shaw, K. , Steen, E. , Loewen, H. , Mbabaali, S. , Barclay, R. , 2023. Factors associated with outdoor winter walking in older adults: a scoping review. Can. J.Aging/Rev. Can. Vieillissement 42 (2), 316- 327.

[8] Bo, X. , Luyu, W. , Xuyuan, T. , Shiyi, G. , 2023. Research progress on human settlement for older adults. China City Plan. Rev. 32 (2).

[9] Breckling, J. , 2012. The Analysis of Directional Time Series: Applications to Wind Speed and Direction, vol. 61. Springer Science & Business Media.

[10] Caili, L. , Maruthaveeran, S. , Shahidan, M.F. , Caiwen, L. , 2024. Cold city outdoor space utilisation patterns and constraints: a systematic review of empirical evidence. Urban For. Urban Green. , 128439.

[11] Chen, J. , Ban, Y. , Pan, W. , Liao, Z. , 2024. Optimal design of informal green spaces in cold-region settlements: an embodied cognition perspective. J. Asian Architect. Build Eng. 1- 13.

[12] Chu, Y. , Zhang, H. , 2022. Do age-friendly community policy efforts matter in China? An analysis based on five-year developmental plan for population aging. Int. J. Environ. Res. Publ. Health 19 (20), 13551.

[13] Culp, B.A. , 2019. Characteristics of the Physical Environment that Influence Older Adults'Preference for and Usage of Outdoor Areas: a Systematic Review of the Literature. Doctoral dissertation.

[14] Cui, Y. , Gong, Q. , Huang, C. , Guo, F. , Li, W. , Wang, Y. , Cheng, X. , 2021. The relationship between sunlight exposure duration and depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional study on elderly Chinese women. PLoS One 16 (7), e0254856.

[15] Dash, S.P. , Lakshmi Thilagam, N. , Boby, N.M. , Walimbe, S. , 2022. Exploring the various attributes of public spaces enhancing social interaction. Variability of the Sun and Sun-like Stars: from Asteroseismology to Space Weather. Springer Nature, Singapore, pp. 755-768.

[16] Davies, A. , James, A. , 2016. Geographies of Ageing: Social Processes and the Spatial Unevenness of Population Ageing. Routledge.

[17] Dadashpoor, H. , Rostami, F. , 2017. Measuring spatial proportionality between service availability, accessibility and mobility: empirical evidence using spatial equity approach in Iran. J.Transport Geogr. 65, 44- 55.

[18] de Sousa Freitas, J. , Cronemberger, J. , Soares, R.M. , Amorim, C.N.D. , 2020. Modeling and assessing BIPV envelopes using parametric rhinoceros plugins grasshopper and ladybug. Renew. Energy 160, 1468- 1479.

[19] Faizi, M. , Hosseini, S.B. , Maleki, S.N. , 2011. Achieving design guidelines of neighbourhood open spaces through users' characteristics in different times. Sci. Res. Essays 6 (19), 4000- 4008.

[20] Fatih, O.K.A.N. , Zincir, H. , Deveci, K. , 2022. The effect of sun light exposure to the level of vitamin D in elderly people living in nursing home. J. Clin. Densitom. 25 (2), 261- 271.

[21] Gao, J. , Bukovsky, M.S. , 2023. Urban land patterns can moderate population exposures to climate extremes over the 21st century. Nat. Commun. 14 (1), 6536.

[22] Gavhed, D. , 2003. Human Responses to Cold and Wind. Karolinska Institutet Doctoral dissertation, National Institute for Working Life Press, Stockholm.

[23] Garvin, T. , Nykiforuk, C.I. , Johnson, S. , 2012. Can we get old here? Seniors' perceptions of seasonal constraints of neighbourhood built environments in a northern, winter city. Geogr. Ann. Ser. B Hum. Geogr. 94 (4), 369- 389.

[24] Gehl, J. , 2007. Public spaces for a changing public life. In: Open Space: People Space. Taylor & Francis, pp. 23-30.

[25] Gehl, J. , 2013. Cities for People. Island press.

[26] Gentili, J.O. , Fernández, M.E. , Gil, V. , 2020. Influence of topography on local atmospheric features in a peri-urban area of bahía blanca (Argentina). Environ. Process. 7, 23- 40.

[27] Grant, T.L. , Edwards, N. , Sveistrup, H. , Andrew, C. , Egan, M. , 2010. Inequitable walking conditions among older people: examining the interrelationship of neighbourhood socioeconomic status and urban form using a comparative case study. BMC Public Health 10, 1- 16.

[28] Gustafson, E.J. , 1998. Quantifying landscape spatial pattern: what is the state of the art? Ecosystems 1 (2), 143- 156.

[29] Hayashi, Y. , Schmidt, S.M. , Malmgren Fänge, A. , Hoshi, T. , Ikaga, T. , 2017. Lower physical performance in colder seasons and colder houses: evidence from a field study on older people living in the community. Int. J. Environ. Res. Publ. Health 14 (6), 651.

[30] He, S. , Li, M. , Zheng, Y. , Gao, X. , Wang, R. , 2024. Reflections on the production of space and justice: a study of everyday life of the SuoJincun's guerrilla gardeners. Cities 154, 105345.

[31] He, X. , Shao, L. , Tang, Y. , Hao, L. , 2024. Understanding outdoor cold stress and thermal perception of the elderly in severely cold climates: a case study in Harbin. Land 13 (6), 864.

[32] Huang, X. , Kong, Q. , Huang, Y. , Wang, X. , Wang, R. , Li, Y. , et al., 2024. Relationship between sun exposure and seasonal affective disorder symptoms in rural older people with different personalities: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 24 (1), 2568.

[33] Jansson, M. , Vogel, N. , Fors, H. , Randrup, T.B. , 2019. The governance of landscape management: new approaches to urban open space development. Landsc. Res. 44 (8), 952- 965.

[34] Jones, G.R. , Brandon, C. , Gill, D.P. , 2017. Physical activity levels of community-dwelling older adults are influenced by winter weather variables. Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. 71, 28- 33.

[35] Jiao, Y. , Yu, Y. , Yu, H. , Wang, F. , 2023. The impact of thermal environment of transition spaces in elderly-care buildings on thermal adaptation and thermal behavior of the elderly. Build.Environ. 228, 109871.

[36] Kayhan Tetik, B. , SaraÇ G. , Mete, B. , Şener, S. , Kalem, H. , Kilic, E. , 2018. Evaluation of sunbathing and protection awareness according to the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals aged above 65 years. Turk. J. Geriatr./Türk Geriatri Dergisi 21 (3).

[37] Kerr, J. , Marshall, S. , Godbole, S. , Neukam, S. , Crist, K. , Wasilenko, K. , et al., 2012. The relationship between outdoor activity and health in older adults using GPS. Int. J. Environ.Res. Publ. Health 9 (12), 4615- 4625.

[38] Kimura, T. , Kobayashi, H. , Nakayama, E. , Kakihana, W. , 2015. Seasonality in physical activity and walking of healthy older adults. J. Physiol. Anthropol. 34, 1- 6.

[39] Lak, A. , Aghamolaei, R. , Baradaran, H.R. , Myint, P.K. , 2020. A framework for elder-friendly public open spaces from the Iranian older adults' perspectives: a mixed-method study. Urban For. Urban Green. 56, 126857.

[40] Leng, H. , Li, S. , Zhao, H. , Song, Y. , Yuan, Q. , 2020. Planning for supportive green spaces in the winter city of China: linking exercise of elderly residents and exercise prescription for cardiovascular health. Int. J. Environ. Res. Publ. Health 17 (16), 5762.

[41] Leung, X.Y. , Zhong, Y.S. , Sun, J. , 2025. The impact of social media influencer's age cue on older adults' travel intention: the moderating roles of travel cues and travel constraints. Tour.Manag. 106, 104979.

[42] Liddle, J. , Scharf, T. , Bartlam, B. , Bernard, M. , Sim, J. , 2014. Exploring the age-friendliness of purpose-built retirement communities: evidence from England. Ageing Soc. 34 (9), 1601- 1629.

[43] Lin, T.C. , Liao, Y.C. , 2016. The impact of sunlight exposure on the health of older adults. Hu Li Za Zhi 63 (4), 116.

[44] Liljegren, M. , Bengtsson, A. , Lindahl, G. , Wijk, H. , 2024. Older adults' needs and wishes for contact with the outdoors at residential care facilities: implications for theory and practice. HERD: Health Environ. Res. Des. J. 17 (4), 132- 149.

[45] Loo, B.P. , Lian, T. , Frank, L.D. , 2024. Walking (in) convenience: an in-depth study of pedestrian detours to daily facilities. J. Am.Plann. Assoc. 1- 16.

[46] Lombard, M. , 2014. Constructing ordinary places: place-making in urban informal settlements in Mexico. Prog. Plann. 94, 1- 53.

[47] Madanipour, A. , 2018. Temporary use of space: urban processes between flexibility, opportunity and precarity. Urban Stud. 55 (5), 1093- 1110.

[48] Maing, M.J. , 2017. Urban living room: an explorative study of elderly and public space in high density living. In: UIA 2017Seoul World Architects Congress. Seoul, Korea.

[49] Mizumoto, A. , Ihira, H. , Makino, K. , Saitoh, S. , Ohnishi, H. , Furuna, T. , 2015. Physical activity changes in the winter in older persons living in northern Japan: a prospective study. BMC Geriatr. 15, 1- 7.

[50] Mehta, V. , 2006. Lively Streets: Exploring the Relationship Between Built Environment and Social Behavior. University of Maryland, College Park.

[51] Moran, M. , Van Cauwenberg, J. , Hercky-Linnewiel, R. , Cerin, E. , Deforche, B. , Plaut, P. , 2014. Understanding the relationships between the physical environment and physical activity in older adults: a systematic review of qualitative studies. Int. J. Behav.Nutr. Phys. Activ. 11, 1- 12.

[52] Musse, M.A. , Barona, D.A. , Rodriguez, L.M.S. , 2018. Urban environmental quality assessment using remote sensing and census data. Int. J. Appl. Earth Obs. Geoinf. 71, 95- 108.

[53] Osberghaus, D. , Hünewaldt, V. , 2023. Neighborhood effects in climate change adaptation behavior: empirical evidence from Germany. Reg. Environ. Change 23 (3), 95.

[54] Park, S. , Han, Y. , Kim, B. , Dunkle, R.E. , 2017. Aging in place of vulnerable older adults: personeenvironment fit perspective. J.Appl. Gerontol. 36 (11), 1327- 1350.

[55] Paquet, C. , Orschulok, T.P. , Coffee, N.T. , Howard, N.J. , Hugo, G. , Taylor, A.W. , et al., 2013. Are accessibility and characteristics of public open spaces associated with a better cardiometabolic health? Landsc. Urban Plann. 118, 70- 78.

[56] Peng, S. , Maing, M. , 2021. Influential factors of age-friendly neighborhood open space under high-density high-rise housing context in hot weather: a case study of public housing in Hong Kong. Cities 115, 103231.

[57] Pérez-Tejera, F. , Anguera, M.T. , Guàrdia-Olmos, J. , DalmauBueno, A. , Valera, S. , 2022. Examining perceived safety and park use in public open spaces: the case of Barcelona. J. Environ. Psychol. 81, 101823.

[58] Rishworth, A. , Elliott, S.J. , 2019. Global environmental change in an aging world: the role of space, place and scale. Soc. Sci.Med. 227, 128- 136.

[59] Salvo, G. , Lashewicz, B.M. , Doyle-Baker, P.K. , McCormack, G.R. , 2018. Neighbourhood built environment influences on physical activity among adults: a systematized review of qualitative evidence. Int. J. Environ. Res. Publ. Health 15 (5), 897.

[60] Skinner, M.W. , Cloutier, D. , Andrews, G.J. , 2015. Geographies of aging: progress and possibilities after two decades of change. Prog. Hum. Geogr. 39 (6), 776- 799.

[61] Sugiyama, T. , Thompson, C.W. , Alves, S. , 2009. Associations between neighborhood open space attributes and quality of life for older people in Britain. Environ. Behav. 41 (1), 3- 21.

[62] Van Hoof, J. , Schellen, L. , Soebarto, V. , Wong, J.K.W. , Kazak, J.K. , 2017. Ten questions concerning thermal comfort and ageing. Build. Environ. 120, 123- 133.

[63] Van Hoof, J. , van den Hoven, R.F. , Hess, M. , van Staalduinen, W.H. , Hulsebosch-Janssen, L.M. , Dikken, J. , 2022. How older people experience the age-friendliness of the Hague: a quantitative study. Cities 124, 103568.

[64] Villanueva, K. , Badland, H. , Hooper, P. , Koohsari, M.J. , Mavoa, S. , Davern, M. , et al., 2015. Developing indicators of public open space to promote health and wellbeing in communities. Appl.Geogr. 57, 112- 119.

[65] Wahl, H.W. , Iwarsson, S. , Oswald, F. , 2012. Aging well and the environment: toward an integrative model and research agenda for the future. Gerontol. 52 (3), 306- 316.

[66] Waibel, C. , Bystricky, L. , Kubilay, A. , Evins, R. , Carmeliet, J. , 2017. Validation of grasshopper-based fast fluid dynamics for air flow around buildings in early design stage. In: Building Simulation 2017 (Vol. 15, Pp. 2147-2156). IBPSA.

[67] Walczak, M. , 2020. Impact of urban planning on air quality: the consequences of the mismatch between natural wind flows and building typologies. Transitioning to Sustainable Cities and Communities.

[68] Wang, L. , Dai, Y. , Han, L. , Xu, Z. , 2024. Optimizing urban resource efficiency: a scenario analysis of shared sports facilities in fostering sustainable communities in Nanjing, China. J. Clean.Prod. 468, 143082.

[69] Wang, S. , Chen, B. , Gao, J. , 2022. Simulation analysis of appropriate solutions to demands of light and heat in winter from the perspective of keeping health culture. Build. Environ. 224, 109525.

[70] Witham, M.D. , Donnan, P.T. , Vadiveloo, T. , Sniehotta, F.F. , Crombie, I.K. , Feng, Z. , McMurdo, M.E. , 2014. Association of day length and weather conditions with physical activity levels in older community dwelling people. PLoS One 9 (1), e85331.

[71] Xie, M. , Wang, Y. , Liu, Z. , Zhang, G. , 2022. Effect of the location pattern of rural residential buildings on natural ventilation in mountainous terrain of central China. J. Clean. Prod. 340, 130837.

[72] Xu, Z. , Shang, Z. , Zhong, Y. , Han, L. , Li, M. , Yang, Y. , 2024. Evaluating 15-minute walkable life circles for the senior: a case study of Jiande, China. J. Asian Architect. Build Eng. 1- 17.

[73] Yan, H. , Zhang, L. , Ding, X. , Zhang, Z. , Qi, Z. , Jiang, L. , Bu, D. , 2024. Multi-objective optimization of outdoor thermal comfort and sunlight hours in elderly residential areas: a case study of Beijing, China. Buildings 14 (12), 3770.

[74] Yang, C. , Wu, H. , Xie, C. , Wan, Y. , Qin, Y. , Jiang, R. , et al., 2024. Community future climate resilience assessment based on CMIP6, A case study of communities along an urban-rural gradient in Shanghai. Urban Clim. 56, 101966.

[75] Yang, S. , Wang, L.L. , Stathopoulos, T. , Marey, A.M. , 2023. Urban microclimate and its impact on built environmentea review. Build. Environ. 238, 110334.

[76] Yin, Q. , Cao, Y. , Sun, C. , 2021. Research on outdoor thermal comfort of high-density urban center in severe cold area. Build.Environ. 200, 107938.

[77] Zafar, M.I. , Dubey, R. , Bharadwaj, S. , Kumar, A. , Paswan, K.K. , Srivastava, A. , et al., 2023. GIS based road traffic noise mapping and assessment of health hazards for a developing urban intersection. Acoustics 5 (1), 87- 119.

[78] Zhang, C. , Chen, G. , 2024. Rediscovering climate gerontology: an era for older adults to contribute more to climate change. Sustain. Sci. Pract. Pol. 20 (1), 2381875.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.