Community walking system design from a co-creation perspective: The example of Hongqiao Airport New Village

Abstract

In the realm of urban development, human-scaled community walking systems are continually devoured in large-scale urban renewals. Pressing issues such as fragmentation and segmentation of pedestrian paths, poor walkway quality, and outdated walking facilities demand resolution. On the personal and societal levels, walking, being the most fundamental mode of transportation, has unmet demands, with decreasing neighborly interactions exacerbating societal isolation and loneliness.The paper introduces the co-creation concept and related theories to dissect the components and human-centric developmental trends of the community walking system. It focuses on Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport Village's current walking system, employing participatory research, in-depth interviews, and co-creation workshops. This bottom-up approach encapsulates the residents' walking needs, exploring strategies to design a community walking system from a co-creation perspective.The paper proposes four strategies: the construction of human-centric physical infrastructure, the development of multifunctional spaces, fostering of inclusive social interactions, and promoting sustainable development through community involvement. These strategies are aimed at enhancing urban community livability and fostering human connections.