How to make public spaces accessible, safe and attractive for an aging population |
To be truly inclusive, public outdoor spaces must meet the needs of the entire population, regardless of age, physical ability or mobility.
Although many cities have adopted universal accessibility policies in recent years, it’s important to consider whether these policies have actually improved accessibility and the experiences of citizens who live there.
Public spaces can become a source of fatigue and stress for older people if their features are not properly designed.
Several fields of research in urban design, urban planning, and architecture offer valuable tools for understanding the level of accessibility in public spaces. Three dimensions are particularly relevant, since they directly concern the way a built environment meets the needs of people with motor, visual or cognitive impairments. These three dimensions — comfort, legibility, and geometric clarity — enable us to assess whether a space is truly designed for everyone.
As an architect, urban planner, and full professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, I study the universal accessibility of public environments by identifying the physical and spatial dimensions that promote their equitable use.
This article is part of our ongoing series The Grey Revolution. The Conversation Canada and La Conversation are exploring the impact of the aging boomer generation on Canadian society, including housing, working, culture, nutrition, travelling and health care. The series explores the upheavals already underway and those looming ahead.
The importance of comfort
Environmental studies focus on how people live and use public spaces. According to Jan Gehl, a Danish architect and urban planner, a space suitable for pedestrians must provide protection, comfort and appeal.
Protection ensures safety, for example through pavements separated from vehicle traffic or clearly marked pedestrian crossings.
Protection ensures safety, for example through pavements separated from vehicle traffic or clearly marked pedestrian........