Evaluation of Walkability Index for Embedded Community Services from an Age-Friendly Perspective: A Case Study of Mapple Community in Chengdu, China

Jing Yang, Yuqiu Wu, Xuemei Chen, Binjie Luo, Ran Wu and Rong Lin ()
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Jing Yang: Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Yuqiu Wu: Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Xuemei Chen: Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Binjie Luo: Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Ran Wu: Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Rong Lin: School of Architecture and Design, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-23

Abstract: Evaluating the walkability of embedded community service facilities is crucial for fostering age-friendly neighborhoods. Existing studies predominantly focus on qualitative analyses of single age groups, lacking a quantitative framework that integrates multigenerational demands and dynamically combines accessibility with facility usability. This study proposes a novel age-differentiated walkability evaluation framework through a case study of the Maple Community in Chengdu, China. The framework innovatively integrates facility classification weighting systems, population-specific distance decay functions, and multisource spatial data analysis to reveal intergenerational disparities in facility demand and spatial suitability. Key contributions include the following: (1) developing mobility-attenuated accessibility models tailored to distinct age groups, overcoming the limitations of traditional single-function approaches; (2) establishing a multidimensional evaluation system that bridges accessibility theory and usability metrics; (3) empirically demonstrating the spatial equity improvements through embedded facility optimization. The results highlight that elderly residents prioritize healthcare facilities (weight = 0.22), while adolescents rely heavily on cultural–recreational amenities (weight = 0.32). Post-renewal walkability scores in core areas increased by 52.3%, yet persistent peripheral disparities underscore intergenerational accessibility gaps. The framework provides theoretical and methodological advancements for age-friendly community planning, offering actionable insights for data-driven urban renewal policies.

Keywords: embedded community service facilities; age-friendly; urban renewal; walkability; facility accessibility; GIS spatial analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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