Built Environment Impact of Neighborhood Destinations on the Active Health of Older Adults Based on an Analysis of Residential Spatial Background: Spatial Heterogeneity and Planning Response

The capacity of older adults to maintain good health is an important guarantee for the high quality of their life, which is closely related to the built environment of activity destinations in residential areas. The relationship between the built environment of residential areas or neighborhoods and the health of older adults is a topic of particular interest in planning studies. However, existing research has paid less attention to the impact of built environment factors of neighborhood destinations on the active health of older adults and related spatial heterogeneity. Based on the concept of “background network,” the paper divides residential areas into various spatial units and selects commercial, medical, and recreational and fitness facilities as neighborhood destinations for older adults. Then, employing the geographically weighted regression model, the paper investigates the heterogeneity in the impact of built environment factors of neighborhood destinations on older adults’ active health in different residential spatial units. Empirical evidence from Dalian indicates that the proportion of landscape elements around convenience stores has a positive impact on the physical efficacy of older adults, with the impact exhibiting a weakening trend from north to south in the city; the proportion of steps around pharmacies has a negative impact on the emotional state of older adults, with this impact being greater in the southern part of the city; the green view ratio around food markets has a negative impact on the social adaptation of older adults, with this impact decreasing from the city center to the periphery. Furthermore, a positive correlation is identified between the health impact change of neighborhood destinations and the internal environment factors of residential areas. Based on these findings, the paper proposes corresponding planning suggestions, including multi-level optimization of environmental factors and upgraded the matching degree of the destinations with the environment of residential areas.