A Socio-Ecological and Evidence-Based Framework for Inclusive Elevator System Design in China

This study develops an evidence-based, context-sensitive framework for inclusive elevator system design in China. Drawing on the Capability Approach, the Biopsychosocial Model, inclusive design perspectives, and social ecology, it combines qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to examine users’ capabilities, psychological processes, and social interactions across age groups and elevator contexts. The findings indicate that elevator experiences reflect interactions among physical and cognitive capabilities, psychological perceptions, and socially shared behaviors. Older adults showed greater mobility and sensory constraints, middle-aged users reported stronger hygiene and emergency-related concerns, and younger users showed greater sensitivity to efficiency and interpersonal pressure. Differences were also identified between residential and public elevators. The Function–Behavior–Structure framework was then used to translate these behavioral findings into prioritized design recommendations. The proposed approach supports targeted responses where user needs differ while maintaining standardized solutions for shared social norms, providing a transferable pathway for inclusive public infrastructure design.