Exploring a comprehensive evaluation model for measuring spatial equity in the layout of city community elderly service facilities: a case study in Xi’an, China
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to devise a comprehensive evaluation model (CEM) for evaluating spatial equity in the layout of elderly service facilities (ESFs) to address the inequity in the layout of ESFs within city center communities characterized by limited land resources and a dense elderly population.
Design/methodology/approach
The CEM incorporates a suite of analytical tools, including accessibility assessment, Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient evaluations and spatial autocorrelation analysis. Utilizing this model, the study scrutinized the distributional equity of three distinct categories of ESFs in the city center of Xi’an and proposed targeted optimization strategies.
Findings
The findings reveal that (1) there are disparities in ESFs’ accessibility among different categories and communities, manifesting a distinct center (high) and periphery (low) distribution pattern; (2) there exists inequality in ESFs distribution, with nearly 50% of older adults accessing only 18% of elderly services, and these inequalities are more pronounced in urban areas with lower accessibility, and (3) approximately 14.7% of communities experience a supply-demand disequilibrium, with demand surpassing supply as a predominant issue in the ongoing development of ESFs.
Originality/value
The CEM formulated in this study offers policymakers, urban planners and service providers a scientific foundation and guidance for decision-making or policy amendment by promptly assessing and pinpointing areas of spatial inequity in ESFs and identifying deficiencies in their development.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This work was funded by the “National Key Research and Development Program of China” (No: 2019YFD1100703) and the “Humanities and Social Science General Program by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China” (No: 21YJCZH134).
Citation
Wang, P., Zhang, Q., Li, Z., Wang, F. and Shi, Y. (2023), "Exploring a comprehensive evaluation model for measuring spatial equity in the layout of city community elderly service facilities: a case study in Xi’an, China", Open House International, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-09-2023-0207
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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