Optimizing urban resource efficiency: A scenario analysis of shared sports facilities in fostering sustainable communities in Nanjing, China

Abstract

Despite extensive urban infrastructure development, a shortage of community resources and amenities, particularly for physical activity, remains pervasive in high-density Chinese cities. A joint-use agreement (JUA) allows community access to school sports facilities, providing a low-cost approach to increasing the number of sports facilities available for residents’ use. To demonstrate the potential benefits of JUA and optimize the efficiency of urban resources, this study proposes a JUA scenario for football pitches in Nanjing, China, using a walking route-based methodology. In this scenario, the football pitches catchment areas expanded from 66.19 km2 to 169.46 km2 and the percentage of residential building points of interest within the catchment areas increased from 35.39% to 91.46%. The research results indicate that JUA can significantly reduce the travel costs for residents to access sports services, and it holds significant implications for urban walkability, physical activities and sustainable communities. The scenario analysis methodology applied in the study is expected to be broadly applicable to other studies on the accessibility of urban facilities and the findings provide valuable insights for urban planning practice in China.