Abstract:
Community public service facilities have a primary supportive role in the health of the elderly. Under the background of global aging, it has become vital to evaluate the elderly-adaptability of their layouts. Based on the supply and demand interaction perspective, this study used the questionnaire-AHP-2SFCA method for this purpose. Firstly, taking the six main districts of Hangzhou as an example, we analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of the elderly population, and a weight index table of the health importance of public service facilities was constructed using a questionnaire survey and the AHP method. Secondly, the improved 2SFCA was used to analyze the accessibility of public service facilities in Hangzhou, and combined with the weight index table, the elderly-adaptability of public service facilities in the community life circle was comprehensively evaluated. Finally, the demands of the elderly and the supply of public service facilities in the same region were superimposed to study the differential pattern of supply and demand. The results showed the following: (1) The communities with the largest elderly population are mainly concentrated in Shangcheng District, Xiacheng District, the north of Gongshu District, the west of Jianggan District, and the north of Binjiang District. (2) Green space facilities in parks are most important to the health of the elderly, with a weight of 0.46. (3) The overall evaluation results of the community life circle in the study area were good, and the proportion of areas above the medium level was more than 50%. This showed that the concepts of “neighborhood center” and “big community elderly care” in Hangzhou have achieved initial positive results. (4) Based on the interaction between supply and demand, the research area can be divided into four patterns: supply and demand balance, supply shortage, demand gap, and low supply and demand. The results of this study will help to improve the layout and aging-friendly status of community life circle facilities in Hangzhou, and provide information for other aging cities.
Summary:
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The study evaluates public service facilities for the elderly in Hangzhou, China using a supply-demand perspective.
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Spatial accessibility was measured with an improved Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) method using Gaussian decay.
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A survey and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) determined facility importance weights.
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Walking accessibility was evaluated for 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min life circles.
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Park facilities had the highest importance weight, followed by medical, elderly care, sports, and cultural.
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Inter-regional differences caused more overall inequity than intra-regional differences.
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Four supply-demand patterns were identified: balance, lack of supply, demand gap, and low supply/demand.
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Optimizing pedestrian infrastructure and reducing inter-regional variation can improve equity.
Study questions and answers:
| Study Questions | Answers |
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| What location was studied? | Hangzhou, China |
| How was accessibility measured? | Improved 2SFCA with Gaussian decay |
| What facilities were most important? | Parks, medical, elderly care |
| What life circles were evaluated? | 5, 10, 15 minutes walking |
| What caused more inequity? | Inter-regional differences |
| What supply-demand patterns emerged? | Balance, lack, gap, low |
| How can equity be improved? | Optimize pedestrian access, reduce inter-regional variation |