Preferences of older people for environmental attributes of local parks

Abstract

Purpose -This study aims to examine the environmental attributes relevant to older people's preferences for neighbourhood open spaces. It also aims to explore the association between the relative importance of different environmental attributes and personal and social characteristics in a sample of older people covering a range of geographic locations in the UK. Design/methodology/approach -Choice-based conjoint analysis (CBC) was used to obtain responses from a sample of 237 older people (60 years þ ) living in the UK. A total of 13 environmental attributes were identified from earlier qualitative and quantitative studies. Participants were asked to choose a preferred park from a pair of hypothetical neighbourhood parks differing on four of the attributes presented in a questionnaire. The questionnaire included 14 such tasks. Findings -The results suggest that older people preferred a neighbourhood park which is without nuisance, has cafes and toilets, many trees and plants, light traffic en route, wildlife to watch, and is well maintained. Analyses also reveal that whether or not people live alone, and their functional capabilities in getting around, make a difference in the way they place importance on attributes. Practical implications -The findings can assist those involved in designing and managing outdoor environments to identify salient environmental attributes and prioritise interventions aimed at improving access to, and use of, outdoor spaces for older adults. The approach aids understanding of what is likely to maximise preference and use of open spaces in different segments of the older population. Originality/value -Conjoint analysis procedures are some of the best tools available for determining importance or relative value of attributes of complex environments from the user point of view. The CBC analysis has been employed for the first time in this study to explore the relative importance of such attributes of open spaces for older adults.

Understanding children’s neighbourhood destinations: presenting the Kids-PoND framework

“…Similar to recent systematic review findings by Smith et al (2017), facilities and amenities like toilets and drinking fountains were reported by children in this study as important components of parks, fields, courts and reserves. This finding supports research with adults that shows these amenities are important for adults, particularly older adults (Alves et al 2008). Cohen et al (2015) found that recently renovated parks had higher visitation rates and overall greater levels of physical activity by children than unrenovated parks.…”

Preference and relative importance for environmental attributes of neighbourhood open space in older people

“…The purpose of this study is to address this. The results published here are a development of earlier published work (Alves et al, 2008) and illustrate innovative analytical approaches to understanding the relative importance of environmental attributes for groups and subgroups within the study sample of older people. They also show how modelling and scenario testing can be used to inform practical decisions about planning, design, and management of the environment to serve different user needs.…”

Green space, health and wellbeing: making space for individual agency

“…For example, studies have highlighted that older participants of groupbased nature conservation and/or gardening activities appreciate the opportunities gained for: structure and routine (Gross and Lane, 2007); meaningful social interaction and the development of stronger community ties (Sullivan et al, 2004); a sense of achievement, pride and ownership (Townsend, 2006); and the forging of new social identities (Milligan et al, 2005). Older adults' decisions concerning participation in communal gardening activities, or the use of green spaces more generally, may be influenced by factors such as the presence of amenities, including toilets, seating areas and cafes (Alves et al, 2008;Aspinall et al, 2010). However, advancing age can limit older adults' capacity to cope with the garden, or to continue participating in social or community activities as they used to; these are changes in individual agency which may led to distress, frustration or even depression (Gross and Lane, 2007).…”