Behaviours of older adults in urban outdoor environments during warm days
Abstract
As a result of climate change, heat waves are expected to increase in frequency, duration, and
severity, which is particularly threatening to the urban population. Vulnerable groups, including
the older population, are more likely to be affected by adverse health effects due to heat
exposure. Mitigation measures to improve thermal comfort and reduce human heat stress in
outdoor spaces require including various urban design strategies while also considering the needs
of the population. This study aimed to investigate heat's effects on older adults' behaviour in
urban outdoor environments during warm days and to identify factors that may affect their
experiences. Several spatial characteristics, including urban areas, tree canopy fraction,
normalized building volume, proximity to water, and individual factors of age and health status
of older adults, were analyzed to discover relationships between their preferences regarding
outdoor activities and the use of outdoor space. Questionnaire survey data was used to perform
statistical analysis through one-way ANOVA to investigate statistical significance between the
means of different groups. The findings showed that older age groups and adults with worsened
health had, on average, a stronger preference for staying indoors and avoiding outdoor activities
during warm days than younger age groups and older adults with very good health. In terms of
spatial characteristics, older adults living in areas with high tree canopy fraction had, on average,
a stronger preference to perform outdoor activities during warm days than older adults living in
areas with low tree canopy fraction. Additional findings were that older adults found sunlit
places in the city undesirable environments during warm days. In contrast, places with
wind/good ventilation and shade from greenery were considered desirable environments. These
findings highlight the importance of including the needs of older adults to understand how urban
design can improve thermal comfort and encourage their use of outdoor space during warm days.
Degree
Student essay
Collections
View/ Open
Date
2023-08-18Author
Lujic, Sandra
Keywords
Older adults
urban outdoor environments
behaviour
preferences
thermal comfort
Series/Report no.
B1270
Language
eng