Research On Public Open Rest Spaces For The Elderly In Changsha

On the social conditions of an increasingly grim situation of global aging, Changsha City has also entered the ranks of aging cities, with it's aging population continuing to grow fast in the next 20～30 years. Among the following problems, the public open rest spaces for the elderly is a very important topic. The needs of the elderly for public open rest spaces, on the one hand, will increase in number with the growing elderly population, on the other hand, will upgrade in quality by the growing material and cultural and spiritual needs of the older people. Therefore, research on public open rest spaces for the elderly is very necessary and urgent.Based on landscape planning,by choosing and integrating multi-disciplinary expertise objectively, following a research approach of theoretical study-field survey-problem found-problem solution, researches on the topic are carried out and the main results are acquired as follow:1. According to the studies on gerontology, physiology, psychology, environmental behavior, landscape planning, the paper summarized the physical, psychological and behavioral characteristics of the elderly, as well as 4 coral theories associated with open space for the elderly, which have positive significance on relative research in the future.2. By gathering and refining information of climate, population and geographical culture of Changsha, as well as the survey and analysis on seven public open rest spaces for the elderly in City,the following conclusions are drawn:(1) The existing places and facilities relatively lack of consideration on the aged and the weak, the needs of the elderly of different hobbies should be better meted; (2) The existing public open rest spaces can not satisfyingly meet the entertainment and fitness needs of the elderly, activities of the elderly are limited by the space types and facilities, mainly in spontaneous activities, fewer social activities; (3) Landscape, plants and activities are important factors that affect the elderly choosing the public open rest spaces in Changsha City, humanization and high-quality outdoor rest activities is the current building needs of public open rest space for the elderly; (4) Preferences and hates towards the environmental elements in public open rest spaces for the elderly in Changsha City are relevant to the landscape, plants and activities,and the preferences to elements in public open rest spaces are of diversifications. 3. Advantages and disadvantages of parks and Squares in Changsha City are summed up, and solutions to the inadequacy existing in the two types of green spaces are given respectively.4. Based on the actual situation of Changsha City,combined with the characteristics of outdoor rest activities of the elderly and with the related research results, the paper proposed systematically the planning and design methods and steps that suitable for public open rest spaces for the elderly in Changsha City, including: planning and design objectives and principles, spaces and activities of planning, spaces organization and site design features.