Lilong and Hutong as Prototypes of an Age-Friendly Street: A Comparative Architectural and Cultural Study

The article focuses on a comparative architectural and cultural analysis of Shanghai lilongs and hutongs within the context of active ageing and the creation of an age-friendly urban environment. The study aims to identify the architectural and spatial factors that contribute to the inclusivity of the urban environment and the social integration of elderly residents. The object of the study is the traditional residential neighborhoods of Shanghai and Beijing, represented by the lilong and hutong typological models, examined as environments of everyday urban life. The subject of the research encompasses the spatial conditions and social mechanisms that ensure daily interaction and the participation of older adults in the life of these neighborhoods. It also examines micromorphological environmental characteristics, such as the human scale of the built environment, the presence of transitional and semi-public zones, a dense network of narrow streets and courtyards, and the functional mix of residential use with everyday services. The research methodology involves comparative and historical-cultural approaches, a micromorphological analysis of spatial organization, and an interpretative study of materials regarding everyday practices. The analysis reveals that a human-scale built environment, a developed system of transitional and semi-public zones, a dense network of small streets and courtyards, and a mix of residential and daily functions reduce the risk of social isolation among the elderly, support their daily mobility, and strengthen their sense of belonging. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the interdisciplinary interpretation of lilongs and hutongs as historical prototypes of an age-friendly urban environment. Additionally, it proposes an analytical approach that integrates architectural-spatial analysis, everyday life studies, and urban philosophy to examine the social integration of elderly urban residents. The results clarify the role of cultural-spatial factors in the integration of the older generation into urban life and emphasize the necessity of considering these factors when designing age-friendly urban environments.