IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v14y2025i4p723-d1622304.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

GIS-Based Analysis of Elderly Care Facility Distribution and Supply–Demand Coordination in the Yangtze River Delta

Author

Listed:
  • Huihua Hu

    (School of Geomatics Science and Technology, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China)

  • Hua Shao

    (School of Geomatics Science and Technology, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China)

  • Yang Li

    (Key Laboratory of Virtual Geographic Environment (Ministry of Education of PRC), Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
    Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing 211212, China)

  • Mengfan Guan

    (School of Geomatics Science and Technology, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China)

  • Jiaxing Tong

    (School of Geomatics Science and Technology, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China)

Abstract

This study addresses the challenges related to the distribution of elderly care facilities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, which is experiencing a rapidly aging population. With over 176 million people aged 65 and above in China as of 2019 and the elderly population in the YRD continuing to grow, the study analyzes the spatial distribution, evolution, and supply–demand balance of elderly care facilities. Using GIS technologies, multi-source data analysis, and spatial autocorrelation techniques, the research identifies key regional patterns. Shanghai exhibits a clear hierarchical distribution of facilities, Jiangsu shows a “south strong, north weak” trend, while Zhejiang and Anhui demonstrate the opposite. The study also highlights a shift towards smaller, community-based care facilities, reflecting the growing demand for more localized services. It uncovers significant spatial mismatches and low coordination between supply and demand, particularly in rural and urban fringe areas, indicating the need for better regional coordination and more balanced resource distribution. To address these challenges, the study recommends (a) establishing cross-regional elderly care resource-sharing mechanisms; (b) promoting the development of small, community-based facilities; (c) integrating urban and rural services; and (d) leveraging technology for smart elderly care, including the use of big data and AI to optimize service delivery. These strategies aim to improve the equity and accessibility of elderly care services, ensuring that underserved areas receive better support. The findings provide a comprehensive framework for elderly care policies, offering valuable insights for other rapidly urbanizing regions and countries facing similar demographic challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Huihua Hu & Hua Shao & Yang Li & Mengfan Guan & Jiaxing Tong, 2025. "GIS-Based Analysis of Elderly Care Facility Distribution and Supply–Demand Coordination in the Yangtze River Delta," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-24, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:723-:d:1622304
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/723/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/4/723/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yinghan Zhu & Liudan Jiao & Yu Zhang & Ya Wu & Xiaosen Huo, 2021. "Sustainable Development of Urban Metro System: Perspective of Coordination between Supply and Demand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-24, September.
    2. Chen Li & Jiaji Wu & Yi Huang, 2023. "Spatial–Temporal Patterns and Coupling Characteristics of Rural Elderly Care Institutions in China: Sustainable Human Settlements Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-27, February.
    3. Fan Li & Jie Zhou & Wei Wei & Li Yin, 2023. "Spatial Distribution Pattern and Evolution Characteristics of Elderly Population in Wuhan Based on Census Data," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, July.
    4. Talukder, Md. Shamim & Sorwar, Golam & Bao, Yukun & Ahmed, Jashim Uddin & Palash, Md. Abu Saeed, 2020. "Predicting antecedents of wearable healthcare technology acceptance by elderly: A combined SEM-Neural Network approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    5. Marcus Groß & Ulrich Rendtel & Timo Schmid & Sebastian Schmon & Nikos Tzavidis, 2017. "Estimating the density of ethnic minorities and aged people in Berlin: multivariate kernel density estimation applied to sensitive georeferenced administrative data protected via measurement error," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 180(1), pages 161-183, January.
    6. George H. Ionescu & Daniela Firoiu & Andra-Maria Manda & Ramona Pîrvu & Elena Jianu & Maria-Eliza Antoniu, 2024. "Progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for EU Urban Communities (SDG11)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-21, May.
    7. Wu, Wei & Zhang, Tingting & Xie, Xiaomin & Huang, Zhen, 2021. "Regional low carbon development pathways for the Yangtze River Delta region in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    8. Shuchao Wang & Peishu Chen & Weicai Peng, 2023. "Environmental assessment of regional cooperative elderly care: a case study of the Yangtze River Delta," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 3979-4007, December.
    9. Tiangui Lv & Li Wang & Xinmin Zhang & Hualin Xie & Hua Lu & Hongyi Li & Wangda Liu & Yanwei Zhang, 2019. "Coupling Coordinated Development and Exploring Its Influencing Factors in Nanchang, China: From the Perspectives of Land Urbanization and Population Urbanization," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-17, November.
    10. Comber, Alexis & Dickie, Jennifer & Jarvis, Claire & Phillips, Martin & Tansey, Kevin, 2015. "Locating bioenergy facilities using a modified GIS-based location–allocation-algorithm: Considering the spatial distribution of resource supply," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 309-316.
    11. Peiheng Yu & Izzy Yi Jian & Esther H. K. Yung & Edwin H. W. Chan & Man Sing Wong & Yiyun Chen, 2023. "Spatial Vertical Equity in Public General Hospitals: Towards a Sustainable Healthcare System," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, July.
    12. Jiawei Wu & Wei Sun, 2023. "Regional Integration and Sustainable Development in the Yangtze River Delta, China: Towards a Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-20, February.
    13. Zhongwu Zhang & Jian Gong & Huiqiang Ma & Jinyuan Zhang, 2023. "The Spatial and Temporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of the Coupling and Coordinated Development of Basic Public Services, Urbanization, and Tourism in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-19, July.
    14. Dongyan Guo & Dongyan Wang & Xiaoyong Zhong & Fan Yang & Yuanyuan Yang & Hansen Jia, 2023. "The Coupling Coordination and Interaction Mechanism of Land Ecological Security and High-Quality Economic Development in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-17, November.
    15. Dorothée Rouzet & Aida Caldera Sánchez & Theodore Renault & Oliver Roehn, 2019. "Fiscal challenges and inclusive growth in ageing societies," OECD Economic Policy Papers 27, OECD Publishing.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kui Ying & Lin Ha & Yaohua Kuang & Jinhong Ding, 2024. "Population Distribution in Guizhou’s Mountainous Cities: Evolution of Spatial Pattern and Driving Factors," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Fei Tao & Guoan Tang & Yihao Wu & Tong Zhou, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity and Driving Mechanism of Co-Ordinated Urban Development: A Case Study of the Central Area of the Yangtze River Delta, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, April.
    3. Zhenxiang Cao & Liqing Peng, 2023. "The Impact of Digital Economics on Environmental Quality: A System Dynamics Approach," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    4. Arfi, Wissal Ben & Nasr, Imed Ben & Kondrateva, Galina & Hikkerova, Lubica, 2021. "The role of trust in intention to use the IoT in eHealth: Application of the modified UTAUT in a consumer context," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    5. Li, Pin & He, Qi & Zhang, Jinsuo & Xia, Qiyuan, 2024. "Analyzing the impact of energy synergy and renewable energy generation on energy security: Empirical evidence from China's Yangtze River Delta region," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    6. Sami S. Binyamin & Md. Rakibul Hoque, 2020. "Understanding the Drivers of Wearable Health Monitoring Technology: An Extension of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Groß Marcus & Kreutzmann Ann-Kristin & Rendtel Ulrich & Schmid Timo & Tzavidis Nikos, 2020. "Switching Between Different Non-Hierachical Administrative Areas via Simulated Geo-Coordinates: A Case Study for Student Residents in Berlin," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 36(2), pages 297-314, June.
    8. Kui Liu & Jian Wang & Xiang Kang & Jingming Liu & Zheyi Xia & Kai Du & Xuexin Zhu, 2022. "Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Population-Land-Economic Urbanization and Its Impact on Urban Carbon Emissions in Shandong Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, February.
    9. Yingfeng Ran & Wei Hou & Jingli Sun & Liang Zhai & Chuan Du & Jingyang Li, 2024. "Coordination Analysis Between Urban Livability and Population Distribution in China’s Major Urban Agglomerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-14, November.
    10. Yuhua Li & Shihang Wang, 2024. "Exploration of Eco-Environment and Urbanization Changes Based on Multi-Source Remote Sensing Data—A Case Study of Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-24, July.
    11. Lucia Granelli & Matteo Brunelli, 2022. "Comparing the Macroeconomic Policy Measures across the G20 The Crisis Response is a Long-Term Marathon," European Economy - Discussion Papers 158, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    12. Gilani Larimi, Niloofar & Azhdari, Abolghasem & Ghousi, Rouzbeh & Du, Bo, 2022. "Integrating GIS in reorganizing blood supply network in a robust-stochastic approach by combating disruption damages," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PA).
    13. Xuesong Zhang & Zijin Xu, 2021. "Functional Coupling Degree and Human Activity Intensity of Production–Living–Ecological Space in Underdeveloped Regions in China: Case Study of Guizhou Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, January.
    14. Islam, A.K.M. Najmul & Laato, Samuli & Talukder, Shamim & Sutinen, Erkki, 2020. "Misinformation sharing and social media fatigue during COVID-19: An affordance and cognitive load perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    15. Paul Makdissi & Walid Marrouch & Myra Yazbeck, 2025. "Monitoring Poverty in a Data‐Deprived Environment: The Case of Lebanon," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 71(1), February.
    16. Lu, Qing & Fang, Huaxin, 2024. "Promoting low-carbon development in Yangtze River Delta area in China through the lens of decarbonization of industrial gas producers: A case study based on evolutionary game and Lotka-Volterra models," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    17. Hsieh, Pi-Jung & Lai, Hui-Min, 2020. "Exploring people's intentions to use the health passbook in self-management: An extension of the technology acceptance and health behavior theoretical perspectives in health literacy," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    18. Xing Zhao & Xin Zhang, 2022. "Research on the Evaluation and Regional Differences in Carbon Emissions Efficiency of Cultural and Related Manufacturing Industries in China’s Yangtze River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, August.
    19. Na Yu & Chunfeng Zhao, 2021. "Chain Innovation Mechanism of the Manufacturing Industry in the Yangtze River Delta of China Based on Evolutionary Game," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, August.
    20. Imdadullah Hidayat-ur-Rehman & Saeed Alzahrani & Mohd Ziaur Rehman & Fahim Akhter, 2022. "Determining the factors of m-wallets adoption. A twofold SEM-ANN approach," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(1), pages 1-24, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:723-:d:1622304. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.