Research on the age-friendly design of station square based on IPA-Kano model: a case study of Chengdu East Railway Station

With an aging population, the importance of age-friendly design for high-speed railway station squares is rising. This study creates an evaluation framework for such squares, considering security, pedestrian systems, environmental facilities, basic functions, and arts and culture from elderly users’ perspectives. Utilizing the IPA-Kano model, the study quantifies the needs and perceptions of the elderly, and also explores the key factors affecting the age-friendly design in station station of Chengdu East Railway Station. The findings indicate that: (1)elderly users prioritize safety and convenience over aesthetic considerations in station square, aligning with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The insufficient provision of seating and rain shelter facilities contributes to lower satisfaction with environmental facilities among this demographic. (2)The important elements, including walking surfaces, first aid facilities, the quantity and placement of staircases and es calators, pedestrian flow design, public seating, spatial cleanliness, public service amenities, and human counseling services, are prioritized in the optimization process. Enhancing these elements is likely to markedly enhance overall design satisfaction among older users. Conclusively, the study integrates the evaluation of these elements with field study results to delineate an optimization pathway for the age-friendly design of the station square.