Pathways and mechanisms of health interventions in the waterfront-built environment of cold regions

Urban waterfront-built environments in cold regions are more conducive to public health than green spaces alone. However, their failure to meet health intervention expectations calls for further research to explore potential intervention pathways and mechanisms. This study conducted an in-depth investigation of Shenyang, a city in China’s cold region. A mechanistic model was developed to examine the impact of cold urban waterfront environments on health in both seasons, employing perceived behavioural control in terms of behavioural predisposition, behavioural enablement, and behavioural reinforcement as mediating factors. The results indicated that the perceived behavioural control of predisposition-mediated health outcomes was highest in winter, whereas behavioural reinforcement was highest in summer, leading to targeted health behaviour interventions. Comparison of indirect effect values and factor loadings for perceived control of health behaviours were conducted to screen health-oriented indicators and strategies across seasons. These findings offer insights into urban regeneration and public health management.