As urbanization accelerates, indoor air quality has emerged as a critical determinant of population health. To systematically evaluate the relationship between indoor air quality (IAQ) and human physiological responses, we conducted a comprehensive review of 63 experimental studies retrieved from three major databases (ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Web of Science) spanning the years 2000–2023. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from experimental studies examining the physiological impacts of indoor air contaminants, including gaseous pollutants, particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Through an analysis of cardiovascular biomarkers (heart rate variability, blood pressure), respiratory parameters, and neurological indicators (electroencephalogram patterns), we identify the mechanisms linking air quality degradation to impaired physiological functioning. Our findings demonstrate that optimized ventilation systems and high-efficiency particulate filtration can mitigate exposure risks, potentially enhancing cardiovascular efficiency, pulmonary capacity, and cognitive performance. The evidence further suggests that sustained improvements for indoor environments may decrease incidence rates of respiratory pathologies and neurological disorders.

The complexity of subway station space can impact the efficiency of passenger navigation. The subway spatial environment is a key factor affecting indoor wayfinding for pedestrians; however, the research framework that examines how various environment factors influence pedestrians during different stages of wayfinding remains ambiguous. This study examines how environmental elements may affect users to varying degrees at different stages of wayfinding, which in turn affects their wayfinding efficiency, recording and analyzing the wayfinding performance and eye-tracking data of 32 participants. The findings reveal that different environment factors exert varying degrees of influence on pedestrians at different stages of wayfinding. Significantly, signage (p = 0.000) proves to have the most substantial impact on wayfinding, followed by stairs/escalators (p < 0.05), but the participants walked to the wrong platform in the TD2 scenario because they were guided by the Line 2 signs in front of the stairs/escalators. Thus, the influence of signage is not entirely positive. This study contributes to an understanding of the differences in the influence of environmental elements on wayfinding during different wayfinding stages, and provides suggestions for the spatial environmental design of subway stations and the improvement of wayfinding efficiency.

Subway stations are complex spaces with high passenger density and mobility, making evacuation efficiency particularly important. The position of evacuation signage is a key factor affecting the efficiency of passenger wayfinding. This study constructed a virtual subway station scenario by virtual reality technology (VR), recording and analyzing the evacuation time and exit selection of 60 participants. The results showed that hanging evacuation signage, with their superior visual advantages, can greatly improve passenger wayfinding efficiency, followed by signage affixed to walls and columns, and finally signage on the ground. This study has provided a theoretical basis for the scientific layout and optimization of evacuation signage positions in subway stations, thereby enhancing passenger safety and evacuation efficiency.

The sustainable renewal of old residential communities faces increasing challenges in addressing the diverse environmental needs of older residents while respecting spatial constraints. Conventional approaches often treat older adults as a homogeneous group, overlooking how functional and social heterogeneity shape spatial perception. To address this gap, this study examines perceptual priorities in micro-public spaces of old residential communities in Qingdao, China, by classifying 60 community-dwelling older adults into four profiles using the Successful Aging framework. Participants performed free-viewing tasks using eye-tracking to observe 18 areas of interest (AOIs). Results reveal a clear perceptual hierarchy structured by individual profiles. Older adults with lower functional ability (Q3, Q4) allocate significant visual resources to safety-critical elements as a form of compensatory monitoring. Conversely, a systematic perceptual shift from survival-oriented assessment to quality-oriented evaluation was observed as functional and participatory reserves increased. High-participation groups (Q1, Q3) prioritized comfort facilities, while esthetic features attracted sustained attention primarily among the high-function/high-participation group (Q1). These findings provide empirical evidence for differentiated micro-renewal strategies that prioritize perceptual stress reduction and affordance enrichment in old residential communities.