Exploring Design Interventions to Enhance Intergenerational Sharing: An Importance–Performance Analysis of Public Spaces in Changsha, China

Abstract

Intergenerational sharing promotes social cohesion within communities by encouraging dialogue and understanding across different age groups. Nevertheless, existing research has inadequately delved into the human experiences and meaning-making processes that underpin intergenerational sharing, leading to a limited grasp of effective design intervention strategies in community spaces. This study aimed to explore the environmental and social factors influencing intergenerational interactions in community public spaces in Changsha, China, addressing two primary questions: (1) What environmental factors shape intergenerational sharing behaviors? (2) What design strategies can enhance intergenerational sharing in community public spaces? This research employed a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative observation and quantitative importance–performance analysis (IPA) through a survey of 212 residents, to investigate the intergenerational sharing needs of residents. To begin with, the study conducted a detailed analysis of the characteristics and variations in Changsha’s community public spaces. The finding revealed notable disparities in intergenerational sharing behaviors among three types of community spaces: traditional, commercial housing, and integrated neighborhoods. Through environmental behavior observation and IPA, key environmental factors influencing intergenerational sharing behaviors were identified, emphasizing areas for improvement. Based on these findings, the study proposed a design framework consisting of community planning and design, spatial layout and facility construction, and community management, with nine targeted strategies to optimize environmental factors for intergenerational sharing to cater to the unique characteristics of different community types. These findings can deepen our understanding of intergenerational sharing mechanisms and offer practical recommendations for fostering stronger interactions, providing valuable insights for future community public space design.