Evaluating Age-friendly City`s Indexes in Shiraz City (A Case Study: Public Spaces of Region 1 of Shiraz Municipality)

Abstract

Older people have received little attention in policy and planning in relation to health and related in urban space in world and specially in Iran. While the demographic index of Iran shows ageing of the population, policies and plans not supporting health space in urban area for older people. Elderly individuals and their presence in urban public spaces have a mutual effect on each other and are two components that are mainly considered by urban public space planners and designers. Predictions indicate that Iran would face population aging problem in the society and cities during approximately next 40 years. However, urban public spaces are important places for life continuation and social interaction formations. Due to their special physical, psychological and social conditions, elderly individuals need appropriate facilities in line with their needs so that they can be present in urban public spaces and be capable of taking the responsibility of active roles. The main purpose of the current research was recognizing age-friendly city`s indices and investigating these indices` status in region 1 of Shiraz municipality. Due to having the highest age mean among 11 regions of Shiraz municipality, region 1 of Shiraz municipality was selected as the scope of the study. The methodology of this research was quantitative and survey regarding which, the data have been collected using questionnaire. The reliability of the research`s questionnaire was obtained 87.0 through Cronbach Alpha, which was an acceptable amount. The statistical population of this research included elderly individuals of region 1 of Shiraz municipality, among which, 375 individuals were selected as random convenient samples. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. The summary of the findings of the current research indicated that overall, urban public spaces of region 1 of Shiraz municipality couldn`t respond to elderlies` needs and the status of 8 indices of the age-friendly city in public spaces of this region was less than medium and was at the least standard status.