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• Systematically identified, for the first time, six key characteristics of UGS that influence SIE This study systematically identified six characteristic dimensions of UGS influencing SIE for the first time: Nature and Environment; Accessibility and Physical Layout; Facilities and Functions; Safety and Maintenance; Society and Culture Affect Frequency and Types; Provide Psychological Benefits Ensure Fair Social Opportunities. These four pathways reveal how UGS are transformed from physical environments into social health benefits. • Demonstrated the moderating role of sociodemographic characteristics in the UGS–SIE relationship This study found that the sociodemographic characteristics of the elderly (e.g., gender, age, health status, income, educational attainment, and residential environment) significantly moderate the impact of UGS on social interaction. • Developed a dynamic cyclical model (UGS–SIE Cycle Model) This study innovatively proposes a cyclical model (UGS–SIE Cycle Model) that illustrates how UGS continuously foster social interaction among the elderly through four stages: “trigger–attendance → arena–interaction → psycho–feedback → structure–equity”. This model provides a theoretical framework for understanding the dynamic relationship between UGS and SIE. • Revealed research gaps and outlined future directions This study explicitly identifies the current limitations: a lack of longitudinal research, insufficient geographical and cultural diversity, and the inadequate integration of environmental variables (e.g., climate, air quality) into analysis. It is recommended that future research expand cross-cultural comparisons, adopt mixed-method approaches, and place greater emphasis on environmental justice and the equitable distribution of resources. Urban green spaces (UGS) are vital for promoting public health and social well-being, yet research on their specific impact on social interaction of the elderly (SIE) remains inadequate, particularly concerning underlying mechanisms and moderating factors. This study systematically reviews the mechanisms by which the characteristics of urban green spaces influence social interactions among the elderly and to identify the moderating factors, thereby providing a scientific basis for the planning and design of urban green spaces. Following PRISMA guidelines, 78 articles from the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2015–2025) were included. The results indicate the relationship between UGS and SIE. The study identifies six key characteristics of UGS—Nature and Environment, Accessibility and Physical Layout, Facilities and Functions, Safety and Maintenance, Society and Culture, and Perception and Aesthetics—that significantly influence SIE. These characteristics facilitate social interaction through four main pathways: providing platforms for social engagement, optimizing spatial layouts, provide psychological benefits and enhancing life satisfaction, and ensuring equitable access. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, health status, and living environment moderate this relationship. We proposes a cyclical "UGS–SIE" model, illustrating the dynamic process from motivation and attendance to interaction and feedback. As the first systematic review on this topic, our findings highlight the critical role of UGS in fostering elderly social health and offer a theoretical foundation for future research and age-friendly urban planning.
Sulaiman et al. (Wed,) studied this question.