Health and Wellness Towns are emerging as specialized communities centered on health services,recuperation,and cultural tourism.While the number of such developments in China has grown in recent years,many face persistent challenges,including a lack of lo-calized identity,homogeneous competition,overdependence on real estate and commercial development,ecological degradation,and weak management and operational capacity.This paper uses Xingtian Health and Wellness Town in Wuyishan City,Fujian Province,as a case study to address these issues.By leveraging the town's unique natural and industrial resources,we propose a development model based on three core components."resource-based positioning,strategic differentiation,and spatial distinctiveness."This approach is informed by the town's industrial context,natural constraints,and existing infrastructure.Four key strategies are identified:turning weaknesses into strengths,expanding from single-industry focus to diversification,shifting from elderly-centric services to catering for all age groups,and moving from isolated projects to integrated,networked development.Centering the health and wellness industry as the core of these strategies offers a sustainable and scalable model for future development.This study provides actionable insights for the planning and implementation of Health and Wellness Towns,offering a practical framework for creating sustainable,distinctive wellness communities.
health and wellness towncharacteristic townurban design