In the context of global warming, the focus on applying and researching double–skin facade (DSF) systems to reduce energy consumption in buildings has significantly increased. However, researchers have not thoroughly examined the performance and applicability of DSFs in severe cold regions with high winter heating demands. This study aims to evaluate the potential application of DSFs in the harsh cold cities of Northwest China and investigate their role in enhancing energy efficiency in large public buildings. Through energy consumption simulation and a comprehensive evaluation using the TOPSIS entropy weight method, the effects of applying 20 DSF schemes in four cold cities in Xinjiang (Kashgar, Urumqi, Altay, and Turpan) were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the average EUI energy–saving rates in Kashgar, Urumqi, Altay, and Turpan are 64.75%, 63.19%, 56.70%, and 49.41%, respectively. South–facing orientation is deemed optimal for DSF in Xinjiang cities, with the highest energy–saving rate reaching 15.19%. In Kashgar, the energy–saving benefits of west–facing DSF surpass those of north–facing DSF. Conversely, the order of orientation benefits for other cities is south, north, west, and east. An analysis of heating, cooling, and lighting energy consumption reveals that Box Windows exhibit superior heating energy efficiency, while Corridors are more effective for cooling. This characteristic is also evident in the optimal installation orientation of various types of curtain walls. Given the relatively higher demand for heating compared to cooling in urban areas, Box Windows yields significant benefits when facing south, west, or north; conversely, if there is a high demand for urban cooling, Corridors should be considered in these three directions. Multistorey DSF systems are suitable for east–facing buildings in Xinjiang cities. Selecting suitable DSF schemes based on specific conditions and requirements can reduce building energy consumption. The research findings offer theoretical guidance for designing and implementing DSF in diverse cities in cold regions.

With the development of the Global Sustainable Development Goals, urban communities are increasingly focusing on sustainable development and all-age health and well-being, and the aging level of China will reach 21.1% in 2024. The aging process is accelerating, and the problem of population aging is becoming more and more serious, so it is more and more necessary and urgent to study the aging of the public space environment in urban settlements. Based on the research data of Urumqi settlements, this study utilizes importance performance analysis to evaluate the performance and importance of the aging public space environment. The main criteria elements for aging are identified as function and space, traffic and streamlining, services and facilities, green landscape and microclimate, and subjective soft needs; and the key evaluation indicators for aging are further refined. The results show that the surrounding urban environment, activity space abundance, building quality, building environment, external spatial layout, internal transportation, facilities, management, aging facilities, elderly service facilities, landscape, microclimate, and cultural activities are the key elements that need to be improved in order to improve the aging of the public space environment of cold urban settlements.

With the advancement of modernization, traditional bazaars have encountered challenges, such as diminished vitality. Concurrently, the trend of integrating cultural spaces into bazaars has become increasingly evident. Understanding the relationship between bazaars and cultural spaces, as well as the preferences of users of these spaces, is crucial for enhancing bazaar vitality. Employing field research, questionnaire surveys, cross-analysis, and the narrative preference method, this paper compares the bazaar cultural spaces of Central Asia and Chinese from four perspectives: the current state of the bazaar, development overview, user preferences, and cultural space type preferences. This aims to deepen the understanding of the commonalities and differences between the two regions, and to explore the development trends of bazaars and their cultural spaces. The study reveals that (1) Spaces with diversified functions, high accessibility, and openness can enhance the vitality of the bazaar; (2) There exists a synergistic, mutually beneficial relationship between the bazaar and the cultural spaces; (3) Central Asian residents place greater emphasis on the environmental quality of the bazaar and the engaging content of its cultural spaces. In contrast, Chinese residents are more focused on the accessibility of the bazaar and the openness of the cultural spaces; (4) The function of art and culture is the preferred type of cultural space in the bazaar among residents of both regions. This study significantly contributes to the planning, design, and optimization of bazaars and their cultural spaces.