Planning Walkable Neighborhoods for “Aging in Place”: Lessons from Five Aging-Friendly Districts in Singapore

Abstract

Today, “walkability” is considered a critical component of an aging-friendly neighborhood. This study examined the relationships between the neighborhood physical environment, walkability, and physical activity levels of older residents in Singapore. Five neighborhoods notable for their “aging in place” strategies were selected for a site survey. A questionnaire focusing on the evaluation of neighborhood walkability was administered to older adults in these neighborhoods. The questionnaire included three sections: neighborhood satisfaction, walkability, and the daily physical activity of older adults. The results indicated that adequate physical facilities and connectivity to the city were critical to older adults’ satisfaction with their neighborhoods. The mean walking time significantly dropped as the number of nearby facilities increased, and the number of facilities was negatively correlated with the daily activity levels of older adults. Thus, planners should attempt to calibrate the provision of neighborhood facilities to maintain the physical activity levels of older adults.

A Study of Older Adults’ Perception of High-Density Housing Neighbourhoods in Singapore: Multi-Sensory Perspective

“…The findings suggest that some of these factors are associated with both age and self-reported health condition. Such results correspond to some recent local studies which observed the connection between environmental conditions, going out and outdoor behaviour, and physical, psychological and social well-being of elderly residents (e.g., [ 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 ]). For instance, in their qualitative study, Bhuyan and Yuen [ 120 ] concluded that older adults tend to associate safety and pedestrian-friendly features with physical health, public amenities with social well-being, and aesthetic appeal and wayfinding with mental health.…”

“…Research by Hou and colleagues [ 116 ], for instance, indicated a significant positive association between the proximity to wet markets and an increased tendency in residents to walk more frequently. On the other hand, a study by Tao and colleagues [ 118 ] suggested that a greater number of nearby amenities significantly decreases the average walking time and daily activity levels of older adults, which calls for more careful planning of neighbourhood facilities to promote physical activity among the elderly residents.…”

Factors Affecting the Intention of Multi-Family House Residents to Age in Place in a Potential Naturally Occurring Retirement Community of Seoul in South Korea

“…Gender, marital status, education level, income, social activity level [25,48] Religion, number of family members [26] House/Housing Convenience of housing structure: interior space inside a house [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] Home ownership status [26,28] Period of residence in the current home [26] Housing type [25] Housing satisfaction [25] Ecologically friendly features: ventilation and air quality [8] Community Convenient living conditions and accessibility of the neighborhood facilities [6,17,32,36] Pedestrian environment, convenience and safety of transportation and utilization facilities [6,12,28,29,[38][39][40][41] Regional senior citizens' facilities [38] Location of a house [28,[34][35][36]38] Safe neighbors [6] Well-organized and environmentally friendly buildings [12,14,[41][42][43][44][45] Se...…”

“…Community factors affecting AIP include convenient living conditions, neighborhood conditions [6,17,24], pedestrian environments, convenience and safety of transportation and amenities [6,12,28,29,[38][39][40], and safe neighbors [6]. As the elderly become older, they want to keep major amenities such as shops, maintenance facilities, and public transportation within walking distance or close distance of their homes [36].…”

“…The trend in the research on elderly housing has shifted towards looking at changes or lack of changes in housing location [5]; housing preference [6]; and housing satisfaction [7] related to housing adaptation, housing improvements [8], AIP intention [9,10], AIP and wellbeing [11], walkable neighborhoods for AIP [12], perceived neighborhood environments, and the overall quality of life [13]. Additionally, research has also focused on the AIP of residents in an NORC, walkability and falls prevention [14], and NORC service programs and AIP intention [15].…”