Outdoor activity areas for embedded retirement facilities (ERFs) are essential for providing older adults with access to outdoor environments within communities. However, there is limited evidence on how these areas influence older adults’ spatial perceptions. This study investigated the impact of ERFs’ spatial characteristics on older adults’ physiological and psychological perceptions. Three kinds of outdoor activity areas in a coastal city in eastern China were investigated, and older adults’ physiological data were collected through real environments from wearable sensors. Their subjective perception data were collected through subjective satisfaction questionnaires. By combining them, the authors identified correlations between older adults’ spatial perceptions and the characteristics of outdoor activity areas, quantifying the impact of various spatial features on their satisfaction. The results showed that areas with high subjective satisfaction were linked to strong emotional arousal and increased visual comfort. Spaces with favourable sky view factors and spatial openness significantly enhanced spatial perception satisfaction. Key design elements can shape older adults’ spatial perceptions. This study highlights the positive relationship between outdoor activity areas for ERFs and older adults’ spatial experiences, offering insights for age-friendly renovations and site selection to create supportive environments for ageing populations.

Adapting to climate change and controlling carbon emissions have emerged as significant challenges faced by the international community. The high-quality pedestrian space system of TOD blocks, as an important means for carbon reduction and carbon sink increase in cities, showcases the effect of green intensification and low-carbon sustainable urban space development. In this study, by combining the research on low-carbon block creation and urban microclimate, focusing on the technical process of the three stages of pre-treatment, core calculation, and post-treatment, comprehensively considering the three elements of microclimate, namely wind, heat, and carbon, and their influencing parameters, and introducing a CFD simulation method for porous media, a CFD simulation technology framework for microclimate improvement in urban design is constructed. Through the spatial visualization of the software solution calculation results and the correlation and comparative analysis of the measured data, we quantitatively analyze the coupling relationship between the block morphology and the comprehensive environment of wind, heat, and carbon. The research results indicate that by rationally adjusting indicator elements such as the height-to-width ratio of streets and entrance forms, it is possible to effectively facilitate cooling, ventilation, and air circulation within blocks and dilute the CO₂ concentration. Finally, from the urban design element systems at the micro, meso, and macro levels, the adaptive planning strategies in the three dimensions of the spatial form, constituent elements, and planning guidelines of TOD blocks are summarized and refined, with the aim of achieving the low-carbon transformation of cities through the creation of a healthy microclimate environment.

As indispensable elements of public space in the city, metro stations and parks have the dual characteristics of “node” and “place”. Based on the “node–place” theoretical framework, the spatial evaluation and detailed classification of Qingdao metro station is carried out by integrating ArcGIS technology and diversified data sources. On this basis, an innovative metro station spatial coupling evaluation model is constructed, which takes into account the station carrying capacity, park accessibility, land use degree, and other factors, while evaluating the economic and environmental benefits. This study deeply explores the complex coupling relationship between the surrounding metro stations and park space in Qingdao. According to the results of the evaluation model, corresponding strategies for different types of station space are proposed. By taking measures, such as focusing on fine development strategies, stimulating the vitality of stations and implementing guided renewal, and enhancing the mutual suitability of rail transit and surrounding park space, the great potential of combining green ecology with urban space optimization is demonstrated.

With the shift of urbanization from large-scale expansion to high-quality transformation, the 15-minute community life circle (15-minute CLC) has emerged as a significant research focus. Enhancing the quality of 15-minute CLCs has become a critical issue requiring immediate attention. Based on the humanistic perspective, this study systematically analyzes the concept of 15-minute CLC and deeply analyzes the actual demands of residents. In this way, it constructs a 15-minute CLC quality measurement system covering three dimensions: public service facility allocation, public space quality, and pedestrian environment quality. The study takes the central area of Qingdao as the research object. It uses GIS spatial analysis, big data mining, and deep learning to measure the quality of 25 15-minute CLCs in the study area. The results reveal significant spatial heterogeneity in quality metrics across different 15-minute CLCs. This study advances a scientific approach to measuring 15-minute CLC quality and provides evidence-based decision support for targeted urban renewal strategies. Its findings hold substantial practical implications for fostering high-quality 15-minute CLC development.