Neighborhood Influence: A Qualitative Study in Cáceres, an Aspiring Age-Friendly City

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand the perspective of elderly residents on their neighborhood and how the composition of the neighborhood influences their daily life. The study took place in the city of Cáceres (Spain) that aspires to become an age-friendly city. This study focused on the intangible elements of the neighborhood related to feelings of safety, well-being, loneliness, belonging to the community and development of trusting relationships. The research was based on the sociology of aging, specifically referencing the theory of the activity of aging, and also urban sociology, which assumes the environment as a conditioning agent of daily life. Using a qualitative approach, 32 in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals over 65. The interviews were analyzed according to grounded theory. The results show how social aspects are key factors for the elderly in their perception of the neighborhood. Therefore, psychological, social and emotional dimensions of the neighborhood influence elderly residents and could have a positive or negative effect on successful aging. These findings also suggest that a crucial aspect of the positive perceptions of the environment lies in the quality of social interactions that take place inside the neighborhood.

Implementation of age-friendly initiatives in smart cities: probing the barriers through a systematic review

“…The immediate environment is pivotal in the lives of older adults, intimately entwined with one's sense of belonging and very influential in promoting active ageing (Park and Lee, 2017). The lifestyle of older adults is conditioned by the building blocks of the surroundings and the relationship with those surroundings (Domínguez-Párraga, 2019). The lack of adaptation of the physical environment and increase in physical problems are the primary causes of the reduction of accessible, inclusive and friendly physical spaces for the older adults with varying needs and capacities (Domínguez-Párraga, 2019).…”

“…The lifestyle of older adults is conditioned by the building blocks of the surroundings and the relationship with those surroundings (Domínguez-Párraga, 2019). The lack of adaptation of the physical environment and increase in physical problems are the primary causes of the reduction of accessible, inclusive and friendly physical spaces for the older adults with varying needs and capacities (Domínguez-Párraga, 2019). For example, in cities, transport planning focuses on transporting the maximum number of commuters in the minimum amount of time (Chui et al , 2019).…”

The Effects of Gentrification on the Elderly: A Case Study in the City of Cáceres

“…Figure 1 shows how the tourist establishments-lodging businesses in blue and restaurants in green-are framed in the tourist area, surrounding the historical heritage of the city. Consequently, this area becomes a stage that is prepared and created for the experience of visitors in all senses (Domínguez-Párraga 2019a;Janoschka 2018;Judd 2002). It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 1, within the tourist zone-red area-there are 76 establishments related to tourism out of a total of 129 that are represented on the map.…”

Age-Friendly Cities: A Systematic Review

“…Além da OMS, muito autores avaliam diversos aspectos que podem contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade de vida das pessoas da terceira idade: a cidade como um todo (ADLAKHA et al, 2020;WOOLRYCH et al, 2020;HE;CHAKRABARTI;CHEUNG, 2020;JELOKHANI-NIARAKI;HAJILOO;SAMANY, 2019;AMOAH et al, 2019;VIDOVIĆOVÁ, 2018;EMIRHAFIZOVIĆ;ŠADIĆ, 2018;PHILLIPS;WONG, 2018;BOZDAĞ et al, 2017;BUFFEL;PHILLIPSON;SKYRME, 2017;STROHMEIER, 2016;MORRIS, 2015); apenas um determinado bairro, aquele de moradia do idoso (BHUYAN et al, 2020;WOOLRYCH et al, 2020;MAKITA et al, 2020;THISSEN;FORTUIJN, 2020;IAMTRAKUL;CHAYPHONG;KLAYLEE, 2019;KURIAN et al, 2019;AKSOY;KORKMAZ-YAYLAGUL, 2019;DOMÍNGUEZ-PÁRRAGA, 2019;LOO et al, 2017;CHO;KIM, 2016); outros fatores, como a habitação do idoso (HUI et al, 2014;AGNELLI, 2012;TOMÉ;MÁSCULO, 2006;MUSTAQUIM, 2015).…”