Art therapy serves as a crucial intervention modality for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), demonstrating unique value in emotional expression, sensory integration, and social communication. However, current practice presents critical challenges, including the disconnect between design expertise and clinical needs, unclear mechanisms of environmental factors’ impact on therapeutic outcomes, and insufficient evidence-based support for technology integration. Purpose: This study aimed to construct an evidence-based theoretical framework for art therapy environment design for children with autism, clarifying the relationship between environmental design elements and therapeutic effectiveness. Methodology: Based on the Web of Science database, this study employed a dual-track approach comprising bibliometric analysis and micro-qualitative content analysis to systematically examine the knowledge structure and developmental trends. Research hotspots were identified through keyword co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace, while 24 representative design cases were analyzed to gain insights into design concepts, emerging technologies, and implementation principles. Key Findings: Through keyword network visualization analysis, this study identified ten primary research clusters that were systematically categorized into four core design elements: sensory feedback design, behavioral guidance design, emotional resonance design, and therapeutic support design. A responsive therapeutic environment conceptual framework was proposed, encompassing four interconnected components based on the ABC model from positive psychology: emotional, sensory, environmental, and behavioral dimensions. Evidence-based design principles were established emphasizing child-centeredness, the promotion of multisensory expression, the achievement of dynamic feedback, and appropriate technology integration. Research Contribution: This research establishes theoretical connections between environmental design elements and art therapy effectiveness, providing a systematic design guidance framework for interdisciplinary teams, including environmental designers, clinical practitioners, technology developers, and healthcare administrators. The framework positions technology as a therapeutic mediator rather than a driver, ensuring technological integration supports rather than interferes with children’s natural creative impulses. This contributes to creating more effective environmental spaces for art therapy activities for children with autism while aligning with SDG3 goals for promoting mental health and reducing inequalities in therapeutic access.

As urbanization intensifies, the challenge of preserving industrial heritage while fostering authentic intergenerational connections has become increasingly salient. This study investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) technologies can be applied to enhance authenticity and promote both hedonic and eudaimonic well-being within the context of heritage tourism. Using a facility in Shanghai as a case study, we propose a cultural co-creation mechanism that transforms implicit intergenerational memories into shared cultural resources through digital interaction. The study first evaluates public awareness and participation needs in the context of industrial heritage revitalization. In response, we design an immersive platform that enables visitors of different generations to co-create meaning through historical scene reconstruction, multisensory engagement, and collaborative storytelling. A novel five-sense encoding strategy is introduced to reinterpret the enclosed spatial characteristics of industrial architecture as an experiential form of storytelling. This process fosters a deeper connection to place, contributing to authenticity and well-being. Prototype testing results suggest that this AI-AR-enabled co-creation system supports meaningful cultural attachment, improves authenticity, and facilitates the sustainable transmission of heritage. This research provides a replicable model for integrating digital technology, community participation, and authenticity in the well-being-oriented revitalization of industrial heritage sites.

The emergence of innovative technologies such as 5G, big data, and XR immersive technology is providing richer data sets and a deeper understanding of human behavior, which has the potential to redefine urban design activities and service provision through the metaverse. In the current wave of metaverse digital planning, commercial streets are a significant aspect of urban cultural and tourism, but there is limited knowledge on how to integrate metaverse digital content in real urban spaces to promote consumption.This study aims to investigate the factors that promote purchase in RAR (Reality + augmented reality) environments by integrating the concept of city metaverse and related work on XR technologies in consumer experience and behavior. We have constructed a model of RAR-induced consumer behavior by modifying the SOR theoretical model with our project experience. Our research identifies three external drivers of RAR: RAR features, RAR multidimensional experience, and RAR marketing. These external stimuli produce changes in RAR consumer perceptions in three areas: hedonic, utilitarian, and social value. Changes in consumer perceptions can lead to subsequent consumer behavior, such as enhanced willingness to consume, willingness to recommend, and loyalty. These findings have broader applications in the context of the city metaverse, providing designers and researchers with new insights into the technology of virtual-real integration and inspiration for design patterns. Additionally, our study provides commercial space operators with reference value for RAR marketing guidelines.