Investigating the Association between Outdoor Environment and Outdoor Activities for Seniors Living in Old Residential Communities

Abstract

Many seniors live in old residential communities (ORCs) with low-quality outdoor environment (OE), which hinders the residents’ outdoor daily activities (ODAs). This paper empirically investigates the association of OE on ODAs for seniors living in ORCs. A questionnaire was designed and distributed in six central districts of Nanjing city. A total of 258 questionnaires was finally collected, of which 60.08%, 29.46%, 9.69%, and 0.78% respondents were scattered into four age groups (61–69, 70–79, 80–89, and ≥90), respectively. Based on reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, the results show that: (1) social activities are mainly associated with noise; (2) leisure activities are significantly associated with road accessibility, slip-resistance measures, greenery, and staff; (3) utilitarian-type activities are significantly associated with stairway accessibility, slip-resistance measures, greenery, and seating; (4) there is a significant association between nature-exposure activities and layout, greenery, and poor air quality. The findings could guide Chinese officials when renewing ORCs by addressing the most important outdoor environmental factors associated with ODAs.

Evaluating the Landscape Quality of Residential Communities: A Case Study of the Chinese City Yangling

“…Seats along roads or rest facilities in recreational areas are an important element for people wishing to rest [35]. In our study, the rationality of rest facilities achieved the highest weights.…”

“…Reevaluating the road system may be a solution that would improve the traffic patency of old residential communities. In addition, as reported, many seniors living in old residential communities had issues with road accessibility, which hindered their daily outdoor activities [35]. Thus, proper and timely maintenance should be conducted on the pedestrian areas.…”

“…The urbanization rate in China has increased from 20.6% (1980) to 64% (2020) within the last 40 years [34]. Due to this rapid urbanization, residential communities in many cities have suffered from living environment problems [35]. Many communities were constructed Land 2023, 12, 57 3 of 11 in the years 1970-1990s.…”

“…Many communities were constructed Land 2023, 12, 57 3 of 11 in the years 1970-1990s. The landscape quality in these communities is poor, with limited green space, few rest and recreation facilities [35], and a lack of property management companies or municipal and community service facilities [36,37]. In the past decade, a large number of rural residents have also moved into residential communities, which have been built on their original living places where the old houses were demolished.…”

Behaviour in public open spaces: A systematic review of studies with quantitative research methods

“…For example, residents' behaviour in parks was classified as health-related, social interactive, recreational, and other activities [146]. For seniors living in old residential communities were divided into social activities, leisure activities, utilitarian-type activities, nature-exposure activities [147]. For studies on riverbanks, people's behaviours were distinguished, including recreational, productive, and daily activities [148] in order to facilitate comparisons and analysis related to environmental quality.…”