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Exlibris Social Gerontology Journal • 26 (1) 2024 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 • DOI 10.57655/EXLIBRIS_1_2024_2 • s. 29–
Data zgłoszenia: 16.06.2024 • Data akceptacji: 12.08.2024 • Data publikacji: 30.09.
Kavya Palaniappan^1
Karteek Guturu 2
Age-friendly cities – residents’
assessment of a traditional
neighborhood in Chennai
Miasta przyjazne seniorom – oceny mieszkańców tradycyjnego
sąsiedztwa w przestrzeni miasta Chennai
Abstract:
The population of urban older adults is rising rapidly, and it is challenging for older adults to age actively in place, especially in the Indian context. Most older adults are expected to stay indoors, but their needs differ. They crave social interaction, and public spaces are spatial manifestations. Older adults can be independent when neighborhoods support them to age in place actively. Analysis of the spatial dimension of neighborhoods using mapping and as- sessing the neighborhood’s quality would help determine the factors that influence aging in the place for urban older adults. An analysis of the perceived neighborhood by older adults in the Indian context to actively age in place is different, and it is essential to understand how the community facilities are present and how they can enhance the well-being of older adults.
The article presents the results of a survey with 62 people (55 women and 7 men) over 55 years of age, aimed at assessing their neighborhood environment. The study was conducted with residents of Mylapore, a district in the central part of Chennai, India. It is one of the oldest residential districts in the city. Understanding the parameters that influence aging in place would help create cities that are friendly for older adults rather than forcing them to stay in care institutions that would take away their independence and cause them to lose their identity in their neighborhood. Although neighborhood environments may support active aging, the research presented in the article indicates that neighborhoods do not facilitate this process in Mylapore as they grow older.
Keywords:
active aging, aging in place, neighborhood environment, older adults, well-being
1 School of Planning and Architecture Vijayawada, kavyapalniappan@gmail.com 2 Assistant Professor, School of Planning and Architecture Vijayawada, karteekg@gmail.com
30 Exlibris Social Gerontology Journal • 26 (1) 2024
Streszczenie:
Populacja osób starszych w miastach szybko rośnie, dlatego wyzwaniem staje się aktywne starzenie się w miejscu zamieszkania. Jest to szczególnie ważne w odniesieniu do miast w Indiach. Oczekuje się, że większość osób starszych nadal będzie mieszkać w swoich wła- snych domach, choć potrzeby tej grupy wydają się zróżnicowane. Osoby takie mogą chcieć wchodzić w interakcje społeczne, dlatego ważne jest tworzenie odpowiedniej przestrzeni publicznej. Jednym z czynników niezależności osób starszych może być sąsiedztwo w prze- strzeni miasta wspierające ich w procesie aktywnego starzenia się. Analiza wymiarów przestrzennych wspomnianych sąsiedztw, dokonana za pomocą mapowania, jak i ocena ich jakości pomogłyby w określeniu czynników wpływających na starzenie się w miejscu zamieszkania (aging in place). Analiza tego, jak postrzegane jest sąsiedztwo przez osoby starsze, oraz analiza dostępności obiektów i urządzeń w przestrzeni miasta sprzyjających aktywnemu starzeniu się pozwoliłaby na znalezienie sposobów poprawy dobrostanu osób w późnej dorosłości. W artykule zaprezentowane zostały wyniki badań ankietowych z 62 osobami (55 kobiet i 7 mężczyzn) powyżej 55. roku życia, mających na celu ocenę ich sąsiedztwa w przestrze- ni miasta. Badanie przeprowadzone zostało z mieszkańcami Maylapore, dzielnicy w cen- tralnej części miasta Chennai w Indiach. Jest to jedna z najstarszych dzielnic mieszkanio- wych miasta. Zrozumienie parametrów wpływających na proces starzenia się w miejscu zamieszkania mogłoby przyczynić się do tworzenia miast przyjaznych osobom starszym, w przeciwieństwie do umieszczania ich w placówkach opiekuńczych, często odbierających niezależność i powodujących utratę związku z miejscem zamieszkania. Mimo że sąsiedz- two w przestrzeni miasta może sprzyjać procesom aktywnego starzenia się, to jednak wy- niki przedstawionych w artykule badań wskazują, że sąsiedztwo w przestrzeni miasta nie ułatwia aktywnego starzenia się w Mylapore.
Słowa kluczowe:
aktywne starzenie się, starzenie się w miejscu zamieszkania, sąsiedztwo w przestrzeni mia- sta, osoby starsze, dobrostan
Introduction According to the Older Adults in India 2021 report, older adults in India are nearly 138 million in 2021, with 67 million men and 71 million women. The number of older adults is projected to increase to 13.1% in 2031 and 13.6% in Tamil Nadu at 13.6% (NSO, 2021). The growing population of older adults must be able to actively age at the neighborhood level without losing their sense of belonging. The aging policy currently mentions a popular concept called aging in place, which means “living in the community, with some level of independence, rath- er than in residential care” (Wiles, 2011). Older adults are empowered to main- tain independence and autonomy while connecting to the social environment (Callahan, 1993; Keeling, 1999).
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naturally as possible and must not be burdensome to them. Community fa- cilities include public transportation facilities like suburban railway stations, bus stops, health care facilities, and clinics, places of worship like churches, temples, and mosques, as well as entertainment facilities like shopping malls that have a relatively close or convenient link to the location the older adults so that travel becomes convenient and less burdensome when moving to and from such said locations.
Figure 1. Accessibility to facilitate movement
Source: author
1.1.2 Walkability and street connectivity
Walkability and street connectivity are extremely important for older adults to engage in social activities in neighborhoods and physical activities, especial- ly in parks and recreational facilities. Universally designed buildings and spac- es enable access for everyone, including children, older people, and people with functional limitations (Carr, 2013). The buildings and public spaces are designed and accessed without having to experience the same space multiple times to have a sense of familiarity and orient themselves. However, that should occur natural- ly and without confusion. The spaces can be used efficiently, and less physical ef- fort is required by creating a barrier-free environment. The physical accessibility to public transportation facilities is also vital as people with disability and older people access such facilities is bothersome, and it improves the physical well-be- ing of older adults when the infrastructures are present so that the older adults can access such spaces independently.
Age-friendly cities – residents’ assessment of… 33
1.1.3 Transparency and wayfinding
Kevin Lynch (1960, p. 125) described that older adults feel a sense of anxiety and fear when they lose the sense of orientation, location, or relationship with their respective surroundings. Christopher Alexander discusses the issues of circula- tion and orientation, which sometimes lead to confusion, unwanted stress, and anxiety, wasting one’s precious time.
Figure 2. Transparency and wayfinding
Source: author
Wayfinding should require minimal effort. Older adults must be able to map out a route to orient themselves. He suggests that buildings should have a se- quence and hierarchy of realms or spaces by creating a sense of order and hav- ing a ‘gateway’ leading one to another. Each realm should be named or present- ed with some element that simplifies orientating oneself from one to the next (Alexander, 2018).
Age-friendly cities – residents’ assessment of… 35
Figure 4. Contact with nature
Source: author When present in an impactful way, the natural environment can be used to achieve various effects in older adults. Parks and recreational facilities help in physical well-being by providing physical exercise and walking opportunities. The natural features of residents and tourists create new opportunities for inter- action and better health practices (Bedimo-Rung, 2005). The presence of parks and recreational facilities in close vicinity helps the older adults’ well-being due to contact with nature.
1.1.5 Engagement in socio-cultural activity
Older adults’ social inclusion and participation in socio-cultural activities are vi- tal for their well-being. There should be an emphasis on community-based activ- ities and interpersonal interaction (Aroogh, 2020). This generally includes casual participation in cultural or other social and religious activities, which may be for- mal or informal, with family members, friends, and relatives. The focus should be on face-to-face encounters. There are opportunities for online interaction, and they grow in a world that is presently technologically oriented. Depending upon the context, the participation, the time they access these socio-cultural spaces, and the frequency with which they visit these spaces for these socio-cultural ac- tivities are distinct.
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2. Methods
2.1 Study area
Figure 5. Location of study area
Source: author The study area selected for the neighborhood environment that facilitates ag- ing in place for older adults in Chennai City is Mylapore, a historic traditional neighborhood. As per the National Statistical Office (NSO) study, Tamil Nadu has the second-highest adult population at 13.6%. According to GeolQ, the tem- ple precinct in the neighborhood of Mylapore, with an area of a 3.9 square ki- lometer radius for study purposes, was found to have a population of 111 409. Adults above 55 who have settled in the neighborhood account for 19.4 % of the total population. Mylapore is an organically formed settlement in Chennai, and its history dates back to the 1st century, as per archaeological evidence. Mylapore is known for its residential colonies with distinct and different architectural styles, the Kapaleeshwarar temple and other religious facilities, community spaces like kutcheri halls and sabhas, and commercial facilities like markets and shopping malls.
38 Exlibris Social Gerontology Journal • 26 (1) 2024
Figure 6. Built use Of Mylapore
Source: Adapted from Houses of Mylapore. thinkMATTER. https://thinkmatter.in/2017/06/02/ housesofmylapore/
Age-friendly cities – residents’ assessment of… 39
3.1.2 Street connectivity
Mylapore North Mada Street is the major commercial street comprising eater- ies, vendor shops, health care facilities, residences, and the temple tank. The East Mada and the South Mada Streets are also composed of commercial activity on the lower levels and residences on the upper levels. R.K. Mutt Road has several houses, commercial establishments, and a few premises with heritage value that connect Raja Annamalai Puram and Mylapore.
Figure 7. Hierarchy of road
Source: author Streets are well connected and are present in such a way that access to public transportation becomes easier. Since most streets are narrower, there is constant conflict between two-wheelers and pedestrians. However, in highly commercial and religious streets, they become predominantly pedestrians with appropriate parking facilities provided for vehicles.
Age-friendly cities – residents’ assessment of… 41
3.2 Assessing the neighborhood environment
National Policy on Older Persons defines older adults or seniors as above 60. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2015) defines elderly individuals as those aged 60 years and over, marking the beginning of the aging process. WHO cat- egorizes older adults based on chronological age as older adults aged 65-74, old adults 75-84, and very old adults above 85 (United Nations, 2015). Aging in place studies have typically included older adults above the age of 50, focusing on peo- ple above the age of 80 (Ratnayake, 2022). The attributes considered to assess the neighborhood for which the older adults are asked to rate are classified as follows:
- neighborhood walkability
- accessibility of public spaces
- wayfinding to public spaces
- access to public transportation
- engagement in socio-cultural activity
- availability of social and health services
- safety and security The table below indicates the older adults categorized into the age group of 55-
- The older adults in Mylapore are categorized by their gender, occupation, and preferred time period to step out of their homes and into public spaces.
Table 2. Neighborhood environment rating for the age group of 55-64 (n=33)
№ (^) PARAMETERS CONSIDERED
AVERAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD ENVIRONMENT RATING (on Likert scale)
- Neighbourhood walkability 4.
- Physical access to public spaces (barrier free environment) 4.
- Wayfinding to public spaces 3.
- Access to public transportation 4.
- Engagement in socio-cultural activity 4.
- Availability of social and health services 3.
- Safety and security 3. Source: Author
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Figure 9. Neighbourhood environment rating based on age group 55-
Source: author
The table below indicates that older adults in Mylapore are categorized into the age group of 65-74 by gender, occupation, and preferred time period to step out of their homes and into public spaces.
Table 3. Neighbourhood environment rating for the age group of 65-74 (n=16)
№ (^) PARAMETERS CONSIDERED
AVERAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD ENVIRONMENT RATING (on Likert scale)
- Neighbourhood walkability 3.
- Physical access to public spaces (barrier-free environment) 3.
- Wayfinding to public spaces 2.
- Access to public transportation 3.
- Engagement in socio-cultural activity 3.
- Availability of social and health services 3.
- Safety and security 3. Source: Author
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Figure 11. Neighbourhood environment rating based on age group 75-
Source: author
The table indicates that older adults are categorized into the age group of 85+. Older adults in Mylapore are categorized by their gender, occupation, and pre- ferred time period to step out of their homes to public spaces.
Table 5. Neighbourhood environment rating for the age group of 85+ (n=4)
№ (^) PARAMETERS CONSIDERED
AVERAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD ENVIRONMENT RATING (on Likert scale)
- Neighbourhood walkability 1.
- Physical access to public spaces (barrier free environment) 2.
- Wayfinding to public spaces 1.
- Access to public transportation 1.
- Engagement in socio-cultural activity 3.
- Availability of social and health services 3.
- Safety and security 2. Source: Author
Age-friendly cities – residents’ assessment of… 45
4. Result
The comprehensive graph Figure 13 shows the neighborhood environment rating based on the age group. The above graph represents how parameters like neigh- borhood walkability, access to public transportation, and wayfinding in public spaces have ratings that are definitely decreasing across age groups. Other pa- rameters like engagement in socio-cultural activity and health and social ser- vices availability remain relatively constant. According to the graph, the rating decreases as the age of each parameter decreases.
Figure 12. Neighbourhood environment rating as perceived by the older adults in Mylapore based on each parameter categorized by age group.
Source: author The average of each parameter is taken and compared based on the age group. Neighborhood environment assessment shows that as the age group increases, the satisfaction of the older adults to age in place in Mylapore actively decreases according to the relative parameter, as shown in Fig-14. Since the deterioration of health follows aging, the physical environment must try to cater to the needs of older adults as well so they can actively age in place. While there is satisfaction with the social environment, the physical environment must also be necessary.
Age-friendly cities – residents’ assessment of… 47
was also preferred based on their capabilities. There are aspirations to learn new things. There is a preference for work-from-home opportunities despite the care- givers feeling that the older adults have worked enough. There are specific limitations and gaps wherein the location of their residences and the proximity to the public space influence the neighborhood environment rating. The family structure of people would also influence certain aspects of their decision to age in place.
5.2 Conclusion
The traditional neighborhoods are historically present with a solid cultural sense, so the older adults have a viable social environment. However, as aging progress- es, access to the built environment becomes difficult. The physical infrastructure must facilitate the needs of its older users as well. From the findings, it is to be noted that the social facilities in the traditional neighborhood are adequately equipped to facilitate aging in place, but the physical infrastructure needs im- provement. Understanding the parameters for active aging in place at the neigh- borhood level will help design age-friendly cities. With strong cultural bonds and traditional values in Indian cities, appropriate policies and planning can be implemented to facilitate aging and ensure the well-being of older adults. Since other countries have taken measures and context-specific initiatives to facilitate aging in place, it is crucial for cities in India, with its growing population specific to older adults, to take relevant measures. In the case of Mylapore, the physical infrastructure can be improved, which would further support the social infra- structure present in the neighborhood wherein aging in place can occur. The street furniture is to be aligned, and the footpaths need to be continuous so that they can move with ease. Legible signs can be incorporated in appropriate places so that people can orient themselves. A barrier-free environment should be creat- ed to make access to public spaces easy so people can move independently.
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