Measuring and evaluating the components of making elderly-friendly urban spaces suitable in Isfahan (case study of Isfahan City Region 3)

Abstract:

With the increase in the elderly population, the need to review the design of urban spaces in order to improve the quality of life is increasingly felt. This is very important in cities that are facing the phenomenon of population aging. The present study aimed to assess the components of making age-friendly urban spaces suitable for the elderly in District 3 of Isfahan. The research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. The data collection tool was library and field studies (questionnaire). The statistical population consisted of elderly people over 65 years of age in Region 3, and based on the Cochran formula, 400 people were selected as the sample size by simple random sampling. Data analysis was performed with SPSS and Amos software using statistical tests such as one-sample T-test, Pearson correlation, and structural equation modeling. The results of the analyses showed that the open space and buildings component with an average of 2.56, the transportation component with an average of 2.47, the social participation component with an average of 2.07, and the recreational and cultural component with an average of 1.73 are not in a favorable condition. Also, based on the findings from the structural model analysis, the open space and buildings component with a factor load of 0.97 and the social participation component with a factor weight of 0.83 are ranked second in importance. As a result, improving the condition of public spaces in an age-friendly city in Region 3 requires understanding the interactions between the elderly population and changes in the urban environment in the design and implementation of efficient public policies in the field of work of urban managers and planners.