Miss Hanwen Xu
Research project:
Urban Blue-Green Spaces (UBGS) and Older Adults' Subjective Mental Health in Metropolitan Environments
Research description:
This research examines how urban blue-green space (UBGS) — parks, waterways, and other natural features within cities — shapes the subjective mental wellbeing of older adults, and how such space can be deliberately designed to support healthy ageing in dense metropolitan environments. The project combines a systematic review of the global evidence base with an empirical study, applying Street View imagery and deep-learning semantic segmentation to map street-level green and blue visual exposure at a resolution rarely captured in existing research. This spatial data is linked to a survey of older residents measuring psychological restoration and subjective wellbeing, analysed through multilevel and structural equation modelling. The research addresses gaps in the current evidence base around blue space, spatial typology, street-level visual measurement, and the diversity of older adults' experiences of urban nature, with the aim of informing design guidance for age-friendly cities.
Researcher Biography:
Research Assistant, Key Laboratory of Ecology and Energy-saving Study of Dense Habitat (Ministry of Education), Tongji University
Assistant Urban Planner, Tongji Urban Planning & Design Institute
Master of Urban Design, National University of Singapore
Bachelor of Urban Planning, Tianjin University
Research Interests
Urban blue-green space, Healthy aging, Urban design methodology
Principal Supervisor:
Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi
Contact Email:
hanwen.xu@uq.edu.au