From Mutual Constitution to Collaboration: A Micro-Regeneration Mechanism for Age-Friendly Sports Spaces in 15-Minute Community Life Circles

Guided by the dual strategies of nationwide fitness and active aging, this study examines the interrelated core issues of why to adapt, where to adapt, and how to adapt with respect to age-friendly adaptation of community sports spaces, as respectively addressed by active aging, the 15-minute community life circles, and micro-regeneration practices. Employing methods including documentary research, field research, and case study analysis, this study systematically elucidates the logical interconnections among the three focal domains. Drawing upon empirical local cases, it identifies prevailing practical challenges and proceeds to construct a collaborative governance mechanism, which is subsequently embedded within a four-phase action framework to operationalize the designated task pathways. The findings indicate that the difficulties inherent in implementing age-friendly adaptation of community sports spaces are principally threefold: pervasive historical deficits and generic issues; emergent transitional contradictions and systemic misalignments arising under new policy imperatives; and implementation conflicts and latent risks anticipated in light of integrated objectives. In response, this study proposes a collaborative governance system comprising four mutually embedded subsystems: an adaptation mechanism, an operational mechanism, a driving mechanism, and a safeguarding mechanism, while concurrently advancing the practical implementation through four strategic pathways: ascertaining baseline conditions, spatial implementation, multi-stakeholder synergy, and long-term sustainable operation.