Speakers
Description
In the context of high-density urbanization and post-pandemic mental health challenges, walkable urban spaces such as streets, plazas, and street corners are increasingly recognized as essential for physical and mental healing. However, public spaces in high-density urban areas often suffer from standardized design and fragmented functionality, limiting their ability to meet the deeper needs of urban inhabitants, from “natural contact” to “emotional healing.” Taking Xuhui District in Shanghai as a case study, this research explores how public spaces can be transformed into “healing nodes” accessible to all population segments through scientific design. The study employs a four-dimensional framework—nature healing, physical activity, consumer willingness, and cultural perception—along with data-driven methodologies and global experience benchmarking.
The study adopted a data-driven approach structured around the core framework of “street view perception - healing quantification - strategy generation,” integrating multiple data sources and case studies. Utilizing Baidu Street View data, 12 three-dimensional spatial indicators, including green visibility, interface diversity, and enclosure, were extracted via deep learning semantic segmentation technology. The real pedestrian perception scene was reconstructed using a visual threshold simulation model (a 120° human eye view), overcoming the limitations of traditional two-dimensional spatial evaluations. A stratified questionnaire survey covering 300 sample points, representing young, middle-aged, elderly, and sub-healthy individuals, quantified the four dimensions of healing, physical activity, consumer willingness, and cultural perception. To further calibrate the strategies, the study incorporated approximately 5,000 health-related points of interest (POIs) from the Chinese social media platform Rednote, identified the spatial attractiveness of emerging businesses such as flash bazaars and sound healing workshops, and referenced international guidelines, including the “Melbourne Central City Design Guide” and Tokyo's “Station Front” design guidelines.
The findings reveal that the healing efficacy of high-density public spaces depends on multidimensional elements. An inverted U-shaped relationship exists between the degree of business mix and economic healing effect. The interface diversity index was positively correlated with healing value, although its marginal effect diminished after exceeding 0.7. Sky openness between 40% and 60% enhances the natural healing effect, likely because a more open view of the sky contributes to psychological comfort. Regarding demographic differences, Generation Z consumers preferred immersive experiential spaces, with higher demand for scenario-based consumption than other groups. In contrast, older age groups prioritized green coverage and accessibility to open space facilities.
Drawing on quantitative analysis and global best practices (e.g., Melbourne Central City Design Guide and Tokyo Station Square Shared Design), the study proposed a modular public space design toolkit that integrated new consumption functions. By controlling built environment indicators and matching them with nature education/interaction and new consumption nature healing businesses, the study achieved the synergy of ecological and psychological benefits, creating a healing node within high-density urban areas.
The core value of this study lied in constructing a closed-loop framework that integrates data-driven insights, global best practices, and locally tailored strategies, emphasizing the multidimensional health benefits of public spaces. This research innovatively employed a mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive assessment of the health and well-being impacts of public spaces in high-density urban areas. By combining extensive quantitative data analysis with qualitative case studies and public surveys, this study offered a holistic understanding of how public spaces can function as healing nodes. Future work will explore the role of community governance models in supporting the long-term operation of public spaces and the dynamic optimization of healing scenarios through virtual reality technology. Public spaces in high-density cities should evolve into incubators of social hope, fostering both physical and mental well-being through innovative design and inclusive practices.
| Keywords | Public space; street view images; health healing; data-driven; high-density cities |
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| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
