Age-Friendly Retrofit Strategies for Rural Public Spaces in Nanjing: A Study Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Abstract

With the continuous acceleration of population aging in China, rural areas are facing increasing challenges due to the lack of age-friendly design in public spaces, which severely restricts the quality of life and social participation of elderly residents. This study, grounded in the concept of active aging, takes Guantang Village in Lishui District, Nanjing as the research site, and systematically explores retrofit strategies for rural public spaces in the context of Nanjing’s countryside. The goal is to enhance outdoor activity participation, spatial comfort, and sense of belonging among the elderly through spatial design interventions.

In terms of methodology, this study integrates the KANO model and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify and quantify the core needs and prioritization of rural elderly users in public space usage from a user-centered perspective. Through questionnaire surveys, in-depth interviews, and field observations, data were collected from three key groups: elderly residents, young villagers, and domain experts. Based on the findings, the study proposes a five-dimensional age-friendly spatial evaluation model consisting of “Access & Identification, Comfort & Safety, Uses & Activities, Communication, and Digital Construction”, serving as a comprehensive guide for rural public space renovation.

In the design practice conducted in Guantang Village, the research team applied this five-dimensional model as the strategic framework. Taking into account the existing village conditions and residents' behavioral patterns, a series of systematic spatial optimization strategies were proposed—covering infrastructure upgrades, road network improvement, landscape enhancement, and the reconfiguration of leisure activity spaces. The post-renovation evaluation showed that spatial interventions significantly improved the accessibility and comfort of outdoor environments for the elderly. The frequency of space usage and levels of social engagement among older adults also increased notably. Follow-up satisfaction surveys revealed that the majority of elderly participants rated the renovated spaces as “satisfactory,” validating the model’s applicability and scalability in rural contexts.

The innovations of this study are threefold: (1) methodologically, it is the first to combine the KANO model with AHP in analyzing spatial needs for rural aging-friendly design; (2) it establishes a Five-Dimensional Design Model based on the behavioral patterns and psychological preferences of elderly users; (3) it bridges quantitative evaluation with practical design strategies, providing a replicable and transferable framework for rural spatial improvement.

In conclusion, this research constructs a relatively comprehensive theoretical system for rural age-friendly design and forms a practical strategy framework with broad applicability. It offers meaningful insights for promoting high-quality and age-inclusive transformation of public spaces in Nanjing’s rural areas. Future studies may extend the model to urban communities, wellness facilities, and other spatial types, while deepening interdisciplinary integration with digital technology, health management, and participatory design approaches.

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