Motaleate Shahri

Urban Planning

Social Well-being of Elderly people in Public Urban Open Spaces (Case Study: Mosalla Park and Sheikh Safi Sidewalk in Ardabil City)

Sahar Fahimi Hamidabad; Tohid Hatami Khanghahi; Vahid Vaziri

Volume 13, Issue 49 , February 2024, , Pages 79-90

https://doi.org/10.22034/urbs.2023.62803

Abstract

Highlights: - Physical and safety considerations alone are insufficient to enhance the quality of life for the elderly. - Urban spaces adapted to the needs of the elderly positively impact social well-being. - Improved social well-being fosters increased social interactions and participation. - Elderly-friendly ... Read More Highlights: - Physical and safety considerations alone are insufficient to enhance the quality of life for the elderly. - Urban spaces adapted to the needs of the elderly positively impact social well-being. - Improved social well-being fosters increased social interactions and participation. - Elderly-friendly cities align most effectively with the preferences and requirements of the elderly. - Enhancing social well-being reduces medical costs associated with chronic diseases in the elderly. Introduction: Scientific projections predict a significant increase in the elderly population in the coming years, emphasizing the need to address their diverse needs and social interactions. This demographic shift necessitates urban spaces that evolve to support the well-being and productivity of the elderly. The economic and social implications of an aging population underscore the importance of attending to the social needs of the elderly, as neglect limits their social participation and diminishes their overall quality of life. Research indicates that maintaining an active lifestyle and regular social interactions can significantly contribute to preventing dementia. While existing studies often focus on the physical needs of the elderly in public spaces, insufficient attention has been given to their social needs, particularly in urban settings. This study aims to assess the impact of environmental and physical factors on the social well-being of the elderly in urban public spaces, using Mosalla Park and Sheikh Safi Sidewalk in Ardabil City as a case study. Theoretical Framework: The concept of active aging, initially centered on maintaining health and productivity through physical activity, has evolved to emphasize personal decisions, independence, and increased quality of life for the elderly. "Active aging" involves participation in social, economic, and civic life to maintain well-being, emphasizing opportunities for meaningful activities that facilitate independence. The World Health Organization highlights the crucial role of urban public spaces and social factors, in addition to genetics and personal characteristics, in determining the health and well-being of individuals. Elderly-friendly cities are those where the distribution of public facilities aligns most closely with the preferences and limitations of the elderly. Methodology: This descriptive-analytical study employed both library research and surveys to collect necessary information. The research was conducted in two stages at Mosalla Park and Sheikh Safi Sidewalk in Ardabil, Iran. Physical factors were classified, and a researcher-made questionnaire was utilized to gather expert opinions on the impact of these factors on social well-being. Subsequently, elderly participants answered the Keyes standard social well-being questionnaire. Data from both stages were analyzed using SPSS 26 software. Results and Discussion: Comparison of physical factors between the two case samples, assessed through the Wilcoxon non-parametric test, revealed that Sheikh Safi Sidewalk exhibited more favorable conditions than Mosalla Park. The Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test demonstrated a positive correlation between physical factors and social well-being in the elderly, with Sheikh Safi Sidewalk participants reporting better social well-being. Notably, "Footpaths with a slope of less than 5%" emerged as the most influential factor affecting the social well-being of the elderly. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for planners and designers to reconsider physical criteria, particularly those related to the architecture and design of urban spaces, to enhance the social well-being of the elderly. Collaboration between social health advocates, urban designers, and architects is crucial to formulate policies and strategies that address the needs of the elderly, promoting their active involvement in social life and reducing the medical costs associated with chronic diseases.

Urban Transport

Studying the factors affecting the citizen's unwillingness to use bicycle in urban travels (the case of Ardabil)

Volume 4, Issue 15 , August 2015, , Pages 83-92

Abstract

Increasing populations in third-world cities of and consequently increasing use of fossil fuels and intense traffic have caused these cities to encounter various problems. Nowadays, transport is one of the most important factors determining the existence and development of cities. Almost all cities are ... Read More Increasing populations in third-world cities of and consequently increasing use of fossil fuels and intense traffic have caused these cities to encounter various problems. Nowadays, transport is one of the most important factors determining the existence and development of cities. Almost all cities are under the pressure of traffic congestion. Traffic congestion results in numerous social conflicts, is not in harmony with the natural environment, and is the main source of most transportation problems. Car-based transport has a wide range of negative impacts upon society and the environment, such as air pollution, congestion, noise pollution, road accidents, and extensive land use for roads and parking facilities. Pursuing sustainable mobility, particularly in urban areas, has become a priority objective of national and global policies in the transport and environmental fields. In addition to communication and the development of reliable, comfortable and secure public modes of transport, the optimization of pedestrian and urban paths is one of the main useful tools for achieving sustainable urban mobility. Bicycles with such unique advantages as low cost, absence of fossil fuel consumption, less traffic, and lack of negative impacts on environment, is more and more considered as a complement to other vehicles than the past. One of the most typical alternatives which is provided by experts for permanent development of cities, is the increased usage of bicycles. The purpose of this study is the consideration of the elements which affect citizen's unwillingness for using bicycles for travelling throughout Ardabil. The present study has used library and field methods for data collection. In order to analyze the obtained data, colmogrove – smirnove, Variance, Scheffe, Independent T, and Kruskal–Wallis test were used with SPSS software. Survey findings showed that, insufficient advertisement in the media, lack of a cycling culture, female cycling disproportionate with cultural conditions of the community are the most significant factors, in the order mentioned, which affect citizens lack of interest in using bicyles within the city of Ardabil. Cool climatic conditions and lack of proper infrastructure for cycling in Ardabil are also considered as other barriers to using bicycles. In addition, the survey illustrated that the less educated, low-income and men cycled more compared to the highly educated, high income and women in urban areas. There was not a significant difference in the use of bicycles in urban travels between regions in Ardabil; however, there was a higher usage of bicyles in regions one and two than in regions three and four. Obtained results indicate that according to respondents’ viewpoints, cultural factors had a more prominent role in the unwillingness of citizens to use bicycles in urban trips compared with other factors. This issue indicates that if the relevant authorities encourage citizens to use bicycle in urban travels through advertisements, despite the lack of infrastructure and cold weather, bicycle usage will increase. Therefore, the survey showed importance of the promotion of the cycling culture in all society. Finally, some recommendations are presented for encouraging citizens’ use of bicycles for travelling throughout the city.

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Keywords = Ardabil City

Social Well-being of Elderly people in Public Urban Open Spaces (Case Study: Mosalla Park and Sheikh Safi Sidewalk in Ardabil City)

Abstract

Studying the factors affecting the citizen's unwillingness to use bicycle in urban travels (the case of Ardabil)

Abstract