Effects of open space accessibility and quality on older adults' visit: Planning towards equal right to the city

Abstract

The notion of social equity and equal rights to the city has not been addressed comprehensively in the use of public open space, particularly the issue of the rapidly ageing population. Hence, this study extends the idea to examine older adults' right to use public open space in urban cities by asking whether the planning and design of open space have adequately catered for the special needs of the older age group. In this study, spatial analysis and environmental audits were applied to investigate the accessibility and quality of 58 open spaces in an old urban renewal district in Hong Kong. Results show the key variables that influence older adults' visits to open space in the high-density urban environment context. Particularly, the quality of open space is more important than accessibility factors for older adults' visits because of the compact urban form. Interestingly, street connectivity which is usually regarded as contributing positively to accessibility has adverse effects on older adults. Findings provide useful insights for urban planners to ensure accessible and inclusive planning of open spaces, which can enhance social equity for older adults in a high-density city.