Creating Successful Elder-Friendly Spaces: A Conceptual Framework for Urban Public Spaces

Abstract

Background: Although issues of elderly people’s active life in public spaces are increasingly being reevaluated, the amount of research dedicated to enhancing urban public space qualities based on the concept of elders’ preferences is still limited. Methods: This study aims to identify the elders’ preferences specially their use of public open spaces in residential neighborhoods. The research applied in two steps; first, Grounded Theory (GT) is conducted through semi-structured interviews. 52 in-depth interviews are conducted with the elderly. Results: The analyzed data will then be examined to extract the main categories. Second, the survey is conducted through a questionnaire developed by authors, inquiring 350 elder people and analyzed by SmartPLS technique to validate the results of the developed model Conclusion: The model of the elders’ preferences consists of Places Functional (PF), Places Preferences (PP), and Process in Environments (PE). The findings will highlight both their theoretical and practical implications for urban planners and designers.

A comprehensive review of outdoor thermal comfort in urban areas: Effective parameters and approaches

“…Landscape planning as a powerful physical strategy can improve OTC and microclimate planning by focusing on green planning (vegetation cover) and blue planning (surface water bodies or watercourses). 42,43 When both features are used together in design scenarios, they can provide effective synergistic ecosystem advantages such as cooling the high-density urban areas. 44,45 Green and blue planning as two main components of landscape planning are explained next:…”