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Evaluation of Walkability Index for Embedded Community Services from an Age-Friendly Perspective: A Case Study of Mapple Community in Chengdu, China

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Yang

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Yuqiu Wu

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Xuemei Chen

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Binjie Luo

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Ran Wu

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Rong Lin

    (School of Architecture and Design, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China)

Abstract

Evaluating the walkability of embedded community service facilities is crucial for fostering age-friendly neighborhoods. Existing studies predominantly focus on qualitative analyses of single age groups, lacking a quantitative framework that integrates multigenerational demands and dynamically combines accessibility with facility usability. This study proposes a novel age-differentiated walkability evaluation framework through a case study of the Maple Community in Chengdu, China. The framework innovatively integrates facility classification weighting systems, population-specific distance decay functions, and multisource spatial data analysis to reveal intergenerational disparities in facility demand and spatial suitability. Key contributions include the following: (1) developing mobility-attenuated accessibility models tailored to distinct age groups, overcoming the limitations of traditional single-function approaches; (2) establishing a multidimensional evaluation system that bridges accessibility theory and usability metrics; (3) empirically demonstrating the spatial equity improvements through embedded facility optimization. The results highlight that elderly residents prioritize healthcare facilities (weight = 0.22), while adolescents rely heavily on cultural–recreational amenities (weight = 0.32). Post-renewal walkability scores in core areas increased by 52.3%, yet persistent peripheral disparities underscore intergenerational accessibility gaps. The framework provides theoretical and methodological advancements for age-friendly community planning, offering actionable insights for data-driven urban renewal policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Yang & Yuqiu Wu & Xuemei Chen & Binjie Luo & Ran Wu & Rong Lin, 2025. "Evaluation of Walkability Index for Embedded Community Services from an Age-Friendly Perspective: A Case Study of Mapple Community in Chengdu, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:1189-:d:1670371
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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