Alleviating Elderly Loneliness in Hollowed Villages: A Therapeutic Landscape Approach Integrating Space Syntax and Psychosocial Surveys

Against the backdrop of rural revitalization and an aging society, hollowed villages in China have become predominant settlements for the elderly, posing critical challenges to their mental well-being. However, the interplay between the spatial configuration of these villages and the psychosocial health of the elderly residents remains underexplored. This study investigates Wangcheng Village, a typical hollowed village in Xuzhou, using a mixed-methods approach. We first employed space syntax to quantitatively analyze the spatial structure and accessibility of public areas. Subsequently, we conducted structured questionnaires (n = 60) to assess elderly residents' levels of emotional loneliness and mental health status, complemented by semi-structured interviews to understand their therapeutic needs. The findings reveal that elderly activities are predominantly confined to highly integrated neighborhood spaces, which function as vital hubs for daily social interaction. A significant proportion (86%) of respondents reported feeling lonely. Statistical analysis indicated a positive correlation between the usage frequency of these integrated spaces and the residents' sense of belonging. The primary psychosocial needs identified were safety, belonging, and emotional solace, which are not systematically supported by the current village environment.We propose targeted design strategies for introducing "therapeutic landscapes," such as communal gardens and upgraded seating areas, within these key spatial nodes. This study concludes that a spatially-sensitive and community-centric approach is essential for enhancing the quality of life for the elderly in hollowed villages. The integrated methodology and design framework offer valuable insights for similar contexts across China.