Children’s access to outdoor activities is restricted due to the continuous spread of urbanisation in public spaces. Therefore, figuring out how to improve outdoor physical space within the existing environment is becoming increasingly important. This study conducted a systematic review of 55 studies using PRISMA method to examine the link between the physical settings in neighbourhoods and children’s outdoor play. Through Scopus databases to provide a complete list of journal articles based on stringent inclusion and exclusion standards. Identify the gaps by categorising the significant themes and aspects influencing children’s play area requirements. Studies show that the physical environment of a neighbourhood is affected by several social factors besides the needs and preferences of children’s games. It was also found that the most commonly used research methods in children’s play spaces were survey and interview, and the Affordance Theory was widely used as a research framework. This research provides new design possibilities for children’s play areas in residential neighbourhoods. These guidelines emphasise games with varied spatial qualities, the integration of spatial functions, the additional support requirements of parents for children’s play, and the flexibility of children to utilise outside space. Consequently, this analysis identifies knowledge gaps and suggests research directions for future studies.

With the aging global population, understanding the role of blue space (BS) in supporting older adults’ mental health is increasingly important. This systematic review synthesizes quantitative and qualitative evidence to examine how BS influences mental health and well-being in this population. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and PsycINFO for studies published between 2004 and 2024. This review protocol was preregistered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD420250651254). Studies examining BS exposure characteristics and mental health outcomes among adults aged 50 and older were included. A total of twenty-three studies (seventeen quantitative, six qualitative) were reviewed. Quantitative findings indicated generally positive associations between BS proximity, quantity, and improved mental health outcomes, while qualitative findings highlighted the therapeutic benefits of natural features, social interactions, and sensory experiences, along with barriers such as accessibility and safety concerns. BS holds significant potential for promoting older adults’ well-being. These findings highlight the potential of BS as a sustainable urban health resource, offering evidence to support integrated planning strategies that promote environmental, public health, and broader sustainability goals. Future research should investigate specific BS characteristics using longitudinal and experimental designs to enhance causal understanding and inform urban planning and public health strategies.

Childhood experiences influence attachment to recreational parks and green spaces in women’s adulthood. Studies have shown that the adults’ frequency of visiting recreational parks is correlated with the frequent visits during their childhood. This study examines women’s attachment and their childhood experiences. Questionnaire surveys were distributed to 510 women (as park users) involving two public parks namely Bukit Kiara and Bukit Jalil Recreational Parks. Results show majority of the respondents spent their leisure time in the parks for relaxing with family members. Most of the women were attached to the greenery of the landscape in the parks, as they associated the recreational park with relaxation and peaceful. The women’s childhood experiences with nature were identified as having a memorable family time, which was correlated with their positive attachment of the recreational park as adults. The findings can guide the park managers, planners and designers in providing a park that is responsive to the women’s needs and demands that can contribute to their emotional and social well-being.

This paper presents the implications of slum relocation into low-cost high-rise housing development. Desa Mentari was selected as a case study for this research where its characteristics as a low-cost high-rise residential for relocated former squatter dwellers best fit the requirement. The data were then analysed against the five domains of the Infrastructure of Everyday Life which are home and neighbourhood, sources of support, making ends meet, enjoyment and having a say. From the analysis, the author established that the major implications are the breakdown of the community structure, the rise of social ills, the deficient living environment and racial conflicts. The work conclusively argues that housing and planning policies should put much consideration into the everyday life activities, issues and needs of particular communities within society.

This study aims to investigate how environmental self-identity, perceived risk, and frugal innovation interact to shape low-carbon behavior among urban professionals in China. The primary objective is to examine the mediating role of perceived risk and the moderating influence of frugal innovation in the relationship between environmental self-identity and low-carbon behavior. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 279 park and garden managers and urban planners in Changsha City through structured questionnaires adapted from validated scales. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via the ADANCO software to assess direct, mediated, and moderated relationships among variables. The findings reveal that environmental self-identity significantly predicts low-carbon behavior, and this relationship is partially mediated by perceived risk. Moreover, frugal innovation strengthens the effect of environmental self-identity on low-carbon behavior, demonstrating that affordable, practical innovations enhance sustainable actions. The study contributes novel insights into how psychological and technological factors jointly influence sustainability practices within urban landscapes. It expands existing theories by integrating self-identity and innovation perspectives and provides practical implications for policymakers to promote sustainable behavior through risk communication and the diffusion of frugal, eco-friendly innovations.