Recreational green spaces are associated with human thriving and well-being. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic a spotlight has been shed on the interconnection between access to these spaces, human well-being and social equity. Containment measures enacted in many cities effectively precluded people from reaching distant recreational areas during the pandemic and consequently, recreational areas close to home became particularly important. Urban density is often associated with building or population density with the assumption that if either parameter has a high value, the availability of open (green) space is low. Certain densities are associated with specific spatial qualities. Addressing challenges of sustainable development, a detailed evaluation of density is necessary to allow evidence-based arguments, planning and decision-making. In this study we develop a multi-scale analysis method for quantifying and assessing green infrastructures from settlement unit to building level to reach a differentiated view on density, arguing that density can be organized in different ways achieving very different qualities. For this purpose, we use geospatial-data analysis and in-depth neighborhood studies to compare two cities in Asia and Europe, revealing different ways of organizing density in the built environment and identifying a derivation of approaches for sustainable development in dense urban regions.

Urban parks provide essential ecosystem services (ESs) that enhance human wellbeing. However, discrepancies often arise between objective assessments of these services and stakeholders’ subjective perceptions. This study addresses a research gap concerning the synergies and tradeoffs between objective evaluations and subjective perceptions of key ecosystem services across various spatial scales. We investigated six key ecosystem services in Century Park, Shanghai, across seven buffer radii (8–100 m). Objective data were obtained from park view images (PVIs) and spatial analysis, while subjective perceptions were gathered through a scoring survey of 33 stakeholders. The key finding is that a buffer radius of 35 m offers optimal synergy between objective and subjective assessments for most ESs, particularly in pollution mediation, temperature regulation, and cultural services. Professionals showed stronger alignment in regulatory services like pollution mediation and temperature regulation, while residents exhibited higher synergy in net primary production (NPP) beyond a 75 m radius. Notably, cultural services displayed nuanced differences, with professionals preferring simpler landscapes and residents demonstrating varied aesthetic preferences. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating objective data and human perceptions in urban green space planning and governance. By incorporating diverse stakeholders and identifying optimal buffer zones, planners and designers can effectively balance ESs with human experiences. This approach ultimately fosters more sustainable and wellbeing-centered urban environments.

The miniaturization of Chinese urban families has led to an increasing trend of “intergenerational parenting” among urban families. However, the influence of different types of caregivers on children’s outdoor activities remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of various accompanying modes used by different caregivers on the outdoor activities of preschool children. The research employed mixed methods, including questionnaires and interviews, and focused on the intergenerational relationship in communities in Shanghai, China. The findings of this research reveal that caregivers from different generations adopt distinct accompanying modes when engaging in children’s outdoor activities. Grandparents tend to prioritize protection, while parents prefer to spend more time playing with their children. These preferences can be attributed to the division of labor within families and the social and physical environment of the communities in urban central areas. By shedding light on the intergenerational dynamics and caregiving approaches, this study provides a unique Chinese perspective on understanding the factors influencing children’s outdoor activities and experiences.

Ecosystem service assessments play a crucial role in highlighting the importance of ecosystems in human life and guiding regional planning processes. This study examines the significance of rural ecosystems and their diverse ecological services, ranging from agricultural productivity to water purification and esthetic value. At present, the ecological restoration of rural riparian zones in China mainly relies on engineering standards as reference guidelines, lacking responses to surrounding land use patterns (including diverse ecological functional requirements) at the planning and design level. This paper proposes 17 assessment indicators for ecosystem services based on a case analysis of Shuiku Village in Shanghai. Through the evaluation of the supply-demand relationship of ecosystem services in the water network rural riparian zone, the paper suggests feasible restoration approaches based on a comprehensive evaluation of the ecological status to address the diverse needs of rural water ecosystems. The result indicated that using an ecosystem services evaluation framework can provide more precise analysis at a small scale.