Exploring associations between the elders' seasonal park visitation and the built environment through the lens of urban location's irreplaceability

Abstract

Exploring seasonal park visitation among elders is crucial for creating aging-friendly park environments and enhancing both their physical and mental well-being. However, existing studies often focus solely on visitation volume, overlooking the spatial dimension provided by travel distance. Moreover, the seasonal dynamics between the built environment and park use by elders remain underexplored. This study introduces an Irreplaceability Index (I-index) that integrates visitation volume and travel distance to better capture the unique value of urban parks. Using the Guangzhou downtown area as a case study, we examine how the relationship between park visitation and built environment features varies across seasons. The results indicate that, compared to winter, elders exhibit significantly shorter travel distances and higher park visitation in summer. Built environment factors, such as building density and public service facility density, consistently affect visitation, while variables like subway station and average green patch area show seasonal variations in their influence. These findings provide practical guidance for improving park accessibility, optimizing infrastructure distribution, and planning service areas, informing more effective strategies for urban environmental management and the design of age-friendly public spaces.