Embodied perception of alleyways in mountain city historic districts: perspectives of young and older adults in Chongqing Ciqikou

Evaluating embodied perception, the interaction between body movement, sensory input, and the environment, is crucial for addressing diverse needs in mountainous historic districts. Unlike flat districts, where research has explored how spatial elements affect different population groups, perception differences across age groups in mountainous areas remain understudied. This pilot study investigated these differences between younger and older participants in various alley types within Chongqing's Ciqikou historic district, identifying the spatial factors influencing their perceptions. Data were collected from 46 participants using wearable equipment to monitor real-time psychological and physiological responses. Compound box plots, two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, and Spearman's correlation were applied to analyze perception differences and the relationships between spatial elements and both physiological and psychological perceptions. Significant physiological differences were found between age groups. The stair alley had a stronger impact on perception than flat alleys. Younger participants exhibited higher stress but more positive emotional feedback compared to older participants. Key factors of mountainous environments, such as slope, spatial openness, and specific sounds, primarily influenced physiological changes. A high degree of coherence between auditory and visual landscape elements was observed across the district, with consistent correlations between spatial characteristics and physiological perception and the correlation between physiological and psychological perceptions. The study recommends improving dynamic and static zoning, lookout spaces, and multi-sensory experiences to enhance spatial quality and preserve the historical identity of mountainous cities.