Usage and perception of urban green space of older adults in the high-density city of Hong Kong

Abstract

Urban green space (UGS) is critical to both physical and mental health of older adults. While older adults tend to live in cities rather in rural areas for better social support, their usage and perception of UGS in high-density areas have not been widely studied. The present study aims to investigate the inter-relationships between older adults’ perception and usage of UGS, as well as how the perception and usage of UGS are related to older adults’ self-rated health in three different types of UGS in Hong Kong, namely green spaces in public housing estates, street parks and district parks. A total of 462 UGS users aged ≥ 60 in Hong Kong were interviewed about their usage pattern, perception on facilities, aesthetics, accessibility and safety aspects of UGS, and their health conditions, using the SF12v2 Health Survey. Binomial logistic regression shows that perceived proximity to UGS is associated with frequency of visit and duration of stay. Longer exposure to UGS is also associated with better perceived physical and mental well-being. Influences on usage of UGS, however, is not limited to physical attributes of the space. Design and management of UGS can take into account the results of this research, to create a better environment for elderly in high density area. Future research on UGS should also focus on factors outside the geographic boundary of the space, characteristics of the community and cultural reasons could be influential to users’ behaviour and experience.