Elder friendly places in the urban neighbourhoods an exploration of role of temples

Abstract

quotPopulation of older adults (60+ age) is steadily progressing in all over the world in newlineterms of absolute number and in proportion than any other age groups. There is a need newlinethat architects and urban planners to be equipped with an inclusive approach of elderfriendlyand#8223; newlinephysical environment for sustainable futuristic development as todayand#8223;s youth newlinewould be the tomorrowand#8223;s senior members of the society. newlineThe present study aims to find out the need of public and semi-public places at newlineneighbourhood level and their contribution in the wellbeing of the older adults with a newlinefocus on the role of temples. The objectives of this study are to understand the criteria newlinefor elder-friendlyand#8223; places for ageing within the community. newlineThe study was stratified into two layers in a logical progression from larger scale of newlineentire neighbourhood area to focusing on the temples where older adults were found newlinepursuing social life. The study adapted mixed methods of inquiry both qualitative and newlinequantitative strategies for both layers. Visual survey method as transit walk, newlineinteractive survey methods as walk-along interview within the neighbourhoods with newlineelderly residents of study area and focus group discussions in different identified newlinesettings were conducted in qualitative paradigm. Two sets of face-face interview with newlinequestionnaire surveys were conducted in randomly selected neighbourhoods and newlinetemples to validate the findings from qualitative methods with wider sample. newlineThe qualitative methodologies revealed that parks, temples, roadside benches (kattas), newlineand clubs in the neighbourhoods were the major places where older adults gathered newlineregularly in various active and passive engagements. The correlation test found good newlineneighbourhood to age in was associated with availability of places like temples, parks newlineand suitable sitting areas which were free of pollution and where they could reach newlinesafely and independently. This research found temples as the most preferred place to newlinevisit regularly by the elder people and factor analysis identified.