A study of age-friendly design characteristics of Chinese senior housing based on a three-dimensional model of culture, behavior, and space

With the acceleration of urbanization in China, old-age housing is facing complex problems such as aging facilities, poor barrier-free environment, and residential safety issues, which have a negative impact on physical and psychological health, especially for households living alone or with only elderly people. Based on the core theories of place attachment theory, lifestyle and behavioral psychology, and resilient design theory, this study constructed a three-dimensional integrated evaluation model of culture, behavior, and space. By analyzing the attribute matrix of the three types of urban cases, nine major improvement items of safety, convenience, accessibility, comfort, emotionality, flexibility, functionality, aesthetics, and customization were derived, and a micro-level improvement strategy system of “culture orientation, behavioral needs, and spatial mechanism” was proposed based on them. The results of the study are as follows First, enhancing place attachment is effective in increasing older adults' emotional acceptance of retrofitted spaces. Second, lifestyle and behaviorism-based functional improvements substantially enhance the efficiency and safety of daily use. Third, the concept of resilient design provides a practical approach to ensure residential comfort and the possibility of future functional expansion without compromising the existing structure. This study provides a theoretical framework and specific design methods for the age-friendly design of Chinese old age housing, and serves as a practical reference that can contribute to improving the quality of local residential environments and enhancing the life satisfaction of the elderly.