The mismatch between the number of facilities and the distribution of demand is a common problem in urban elderly care. Simply adding beds does not necessarily improve access to services.
This article proposes three dimensions for observation from a spatial-supply perspective: accessibility, meaning the actual travel time between facilities and where older people live; service radius, the reasonable distance each type of service can cover; and population structure, the mix of ages, incomes and care needs within the same area.
The research argues that planning should shift from meeting quotas to matching needs, prioritising community-level gaps in existing urban space and establishing dynamic evaluation at the sub-district level.