Investigating the Impact of Gray-Green Space Exposure Ratio and Spatial Openness Level on Social-Emotional Responses of Older Adults Using EEG Data: A Case Study of Streets in Wuhan

Two major global trends shaping 21st-century society are population aging and urbanization. Consequently, the living conditions of older adults have become an increasing focus of societal attention. Social interaction plays a crucial role in the mental health, emotional well-being, and social identity of older adults. Urban streets, as key sites for walking and social activity among older adults, can be seen as extensions of their homes—places where they regularly interact with neighbors and build new connections. Compared to built environments often termed "gray spaces," exposure to green spaces has been shown to offer greater benefits to residents' well-being. Among streetscape features, the Spatial Openness Level is closely associated with the psychological well-being of elderly individuals. The Gray-Green space Exposure Ratio (GER) and Spatial Openness Level(SOL) serve as key indicators for evaluating streetscape quality. In this study, conducted in Wuhan City, objective physiological monitoring of brainwave activity was employed to examine the responses of older adults to variations in GER and SOL. The results indicate that both GER and SOL significantly influence the emotional states of older adults.(correlation coefficient R² = 0.6062, p < 0.01) .These findings can inform human-centered urban design criteria, thereby promoting social interaction among older adults. Future research should incorporate additional environmental factors to establish a more comprehensive assessment framework for age-friendly urban spaces.