Gated vs. Non-Gated Estates: Spatial Factors Shaping Stationary and Social Activities in Chinese Housing Estates

Open spaces in housing estates are crucial for residents’ physical and mental well-being, especially when access to other public spaces is restricted (e.g., during a pandemic). While existing studies focus on public spaces, less is known about how residential landscapes, particularly in gated estates, influence outdoor activities. This study investigates the spatial logic behind the distribution of standing, sitting and social interaction within six pairs of gated and non-gated housing estates in Wuhan. Using space syntax analysis and zero-inflated negative binomial regression, we explore how the spatial configuration influences the incidence of outdoor activities in gated and non-gated estates. The findings suggest that spatial attributes not only significantly explain where activities occurred but also where they did not. More importantly, we found distinct differences between the two types: non-gated estates were more responsive to design, with more spatial factors significantly predicting activities simultaneously, whereas in gated compounds, only a few factors had a significant impact. Critical factors of outdoor activities include seating provision, convex area, perimeter enclosure, and spatial accessibility. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of spatial dynamics in residential environments and provide practical insights for urban design and residential planning.