Urban Spaces in Residential Areas as an Environment for Continuous Prevention and Rehabilitation – Design and Benefits

Abstract

Facing the demographic changes is our common responsibility as researchers of all scientific disciplines. The forecasts based on statistical data show that in many countries in the nearest future the highest growth in population will be in the segment of 65-year-olds and older people. With age, mobility, intellectual ability and spatial orientation are reduced. Creating a proper living environment and public spaces to conduct prevention and rehabilitation training would have a positive impact on shaping and maintaining the quality of life of residents. The purpose of this multidisciplinary research was to create a model training for people with motor dysfunctions together with an optimal design of environment to conduct it on daily basis. Currently, a great emphasis in the design of urban areas is placed on the physical and social activity of children and youth (playgrounds, skate parks, sports equipment), as well as people with a high degree of physical fitness (sports fields and equipment, outdoor gyms, running paths, nordic walking, cross-country skiing). The aim of the work was to explore the possibilities and prove effectiveness of basic functional training with sensory elements in non-standard activity spaces intended for people with reduced low physical activity and motor disorders, not requiring additional devices, using elements of nature, such as terrain, water, greenery - as well as elements of small architecture.