The Role of Street Elements on the Social Activities of the Elderly in Severe Winter Conditions: A Case Study of Harbin, China

The phenomenon of global population aging poses considerable mobility challenges for older adults, particularly in cold climate regions, where the accessibility and configuration of street elements exert a significant impact on social participation and safety during severe winter conditions. Employing a combination of non-participatory observation, behavior mapping, and spatial analysis across different winter periods, this study investigates three residential streets in Harbin, China. The research systematically documents the types, frequencies, and spatial distributions of both social activities and street infrastructure utilized by the elderly. Subsequently, kernel density overlays of elderly social activity and street element distributions enable a nuanced analysis of the influence of environmental features on older adults’ social engagement throughout the three delineated winter phases. The findings reveal the following: (1) There is persistent demand for outdoor social interaction among the elderly, with participation rates inversely proportional to the severity of winter, peaking in early winter and declining through late and harsh winter stages; (2) Variations in activity types and durations are closely associated with spatial configurations: dynamic activities are predominantly observed along linear street segments, whereas passive behaviors cluster at intersections and broader street expanses; (3) There are several key aspects of street design and street furniture provision that help to support the use of streets in winter by the elderly. However, the influence of seating and fitness elements on mobile activities is limited. This study contributes to promoting inclusive urban design for older people in cold climates.