Design guidelines

Title Findings
Urban open spaces Some dimensions of successful Urban open spaces:
(Francis, 1991) - Be used by a variety of users including children, teens, and the elderly
- Allow for a variety of activities
- Feel safe and secure when using space
- Be comfortable
- Afford opportunities for user involvement, control, and manipulation
- Be publicly accessible
- Provides opportunities for environmental learning
- Includes opportunities for discovery, delight and challenge
- Be ecologically healthy
- Contribute economic benefits to surrounding community
- Is evaluated, redesigned, and improved over time
- Is democratic
- Is loved by those who use it and live or work nearby
Needs in public - Comfort: relief or access from/ to the sun, shelter to protect from sun, rain, or inclement weather. Comfortable and sufficient seating. Social
space (Francis, 1992) and psychological comfort: feeling safe. Design features can enhance the openness, providing visual access into the site.
- Relaxation: seek liveliness and some form of engagement with the life of a city, or look for spaces that accommodate repose and relaxation
and offer a brief pause from the routines and demands of city life. The element of respite or contrast to the adjacent urban context appears to
be prominent. Separation from vehicular traffic. Natural element, especially water.
- Passive engagement: people – watching, observe performers and formal activities, various physical features: fountains, water features is the
most desired feature. Viewing public art or a compelling landscape. Natural features, particularly vegetation. Or offer splendid views (e.g.
panorama of the east river and Manhattan).
- Active engagement: direct contact with people, often through the promenade, or in small square or piazza. In street, the traffic of people and
the width of pavement and the attitudes of local shopkeepers are important factors. Large activities as picnics in parks. Public spaces design,
such as bike lane, jogging paths, gardening plots, tennis courts, recreational facilities. Group games/ activities. Sculpture.
- Discovery: e.g. crafts fairs, concerts, flea market.
Cities for people - the small scale — a factor that determines where people will be invited. That the quality of the small scale is decisive for the life and
(Gehl, 2010) attractiveness of an area is underscored by the careful attention paid to the human landscape in amusement parks, exhibition sites,
market places and holiday resorts. What they have in common is offering good conditions to visitors — at eye level. The bird’s eye view
and helicopter perspective don’t play much of a role here, and for good reason
Urbaging: Designing Recommended strategy:
urban space for an - Management:
ageing society Governance: the city for the elderly is a city for all
(Josep, 2009) Participation: the city for the elderly is built with the elderly
Mainstreaming: There are numerous ways to meet these needs and cover transversally different sectors of public body: town planning, housing,
social and health services. Create a city for older people require a comprehensive approach.
- Urban context:
Accessibility: safe and nice walking trail from other areas of the city, particularly with public transport and bus stops nearby. The pedestrian
crossings regulated by traffic lights must also take into account the longer crossing time by the elderly . Direct access to the space must be
characterized by the absence of physical barriers (architectural design elements). Improvements of sidewalks, slopes, presence of ramps, type of
pavement, handrails, pedestrian crossings) and diminished sensory capacity (support through guidance materials, colors, signage for the visually
impaired ...). Adequate information on the problems and obstacles existing on paths for persons with reduced mobility,
Connectivity: A good connectivity between public spaces. The footpaths are attractive, continuous and are intervene in the quality and size of the
area, on the recognition (orientation), and on signs and materials. The ideal is to create little oasis (benches, water, vegetation, adequate lighting,
trash containers, shelters against sun, rain and wind and toilets), pleasant places, welcoming and of quality that invite you to take a rest along
existing, or new, pathways. The busier the place or route is, the greater the possibility of random meeting. The feeling of safety, under certain
conditions, increases in addition a frequent attendance.
Intensity: linked to the presence of people and activities of consumption and trade. The presence of bars, restaurants, shops, public services etc.
favors the attractiveness and frequency of squares. Inserting commercial activities on the ground floor (bar and small shops) and increasing the
mixing function (housing, equipment, services) contribute to generate more intensity in the urban space.
- Quality of space:
Conviviality: the distribution and quality of urban furniture, vegetation and water elements, the perceived sense of security, diversity of uses etc.
The attendance by several generations. The possibility to socialize, partly linked to an intense use of public space, is the sign of a friendly place. Be
intergenerational and to support activities that promote the interaction. The suitability of space for children and adults. Providing resting areas
and seats for groups and not separate units can make easy socialization. The design of streets and public spaces should put emphasis on a
functionality of areas as meeting place (e.g. little oasis).
Flexibility: The possibilities to create temporary events (market, stall, screen, concert, show etc.). The installation of the technical infrastructure
(water, electricity) and the presence of sufficient spaces and accesses that allow the installation and dismantling.
Security: The presence of bicycles on footpaths makes pedestrians insecure. Combination of walking and cycling on the same place must be
reduced, possibly by separating the paths. Should be created substantial areas for encounter for pedestrian. The quality of the pavement is
important to avoid the risk of falls. The cobbled paving can create difficulties for the elderly by increasing the risk of tripping over. An adequate
lighting and along the main routes to ensure uniform illumination. The alternation of light, shadow and high-beams should be avoided. In some
cases, placing windows or decorations in the subways can contribute to a greater attractiveness.
Comfort:
• the presence of shade especially with tall trees and the possibility to shelter in case of rain (roofing, canopies, pergolas, "sails");
• niches with different environmental conditions, through the use of vegetation designed to meet the needs of most users;
• visual and acoustic screens that separate the public space by roads with high traffic, while retaining the accessibility and visibility and avoiding
the creation of secluded places;
• benches with backs and armrests and a seat not too inclined
• preferably wooden painted benches that allows a rapid drying, avoiding metal benches that are too cold or too hot;
• drinking water and jets of water at a height appropriate to the needs of children (and/or dogs);
• use of water for games and to create atmosphere;
• the presence in public spaces of public toilets, favoring models self-cleaning or made with materials easily washable;
 • information on the location of public toilets;
• avoid the toilets underground (difficult to access and sense of insecurity).
Activating Public Strategies of planning the sports and recreation infrastructure should also make sure of their multifunctionality and variability in time to adjust it
Space: How to to the changing needs of the residents.
Promote Physical aesthetic and interesting use of colours (e.g. not aimed at children, not too vivid); meeting the needs of different users, without differentiating
Activity in Urban between children and adult stylistics; natural building materials; physical activity facilities that either accommodate all users, irrespective of age
Environment and height, or include elements targeted at different age groups; benches for rest and observation; greenery. Moreover, an individual approach
(Kostrzewska, 2017) to the design process should be taken and due respect given to the existing urban and architectural context; also, it has to be taken into account
that certain elements of public spaces will be used in many, also informal, ways.
(1) their proximity to the place of residence (of key importance to the elderly, children, and families with young children, but also for busy adults
who do not want to spend extra time commuting); (2) linking them into a cohesive system that enables to actively commute between different
city areas (housing estates, schools, public transport nodes, sports and recreation areas); (3) bicycle stands and parking spaces for a variety of
wheeled devices, especially near schools, in activity areas, and at public transport stops, to facilitate active and safe travels; (4) multifunctionality
and diversity of architecture and facilities to encourage the widest range of users of all ages and fitness levels to undertake physical activity, also
in a manner not necessarily foreseen by the designers (various signs of street sports – parkour, skateboarding, BMX riding); (5) adapting them to
the context and the surrounding landscape by preparing an individual design, introducing a lot of greenery, and providing both easily accessible
and more enclosed areas; (6) the possibility of using them all year round, day and night, in all weather conditions thanks to roofing, lighting, and
other architectural elements protecting from wind, sun, rain, or snow. Significantly, most public spaces are designed as to be used only in spring
and summer – and yet some of the park alleys can be turned into winter skating rinks, and some of the pedestrian routes, unsprinkled with salt
and sand, can be used by cross-country skiers or sled pullers.
The architecture of Public spaces should occupy not more than 35 percent or less than 25 percent of the total area of a quarter. Too little public space is a false
Community (Krier, economy, too much public space, a false luxury. Public spaces are organized into regular or irregular patterns and grids of avenues, boulevards,
2009, p. 163) streets, squares, alleyways, courtyards and mews, parks, and gardens.
Regular geometric and parallel public spaces require a high degree of architectural order and design quality. Streets and squares with non-parallel
confi gurations can accept more modest architecture with freer, less imposing compositions. In general, modest architecture is not appropriate
for highly formal public spaces.
Parks for an Aging They emphasize six desirable park characteristics: 1) security from human threats and environmental hazards, 2) good accessibility, 3) presence of
Population: Needs natural elements (greenery, wildlife), 4) age-friendly park design and programming, 5) opportunities for walking and physical activity, and 6)
and Preferences of settings and programs that encourage social interaction.
Low-Income Seniors Design elements for senior-friendly parks
in Los Angeles - Safety/security:
(Loukaitou-Sideris et Crime: Paths with clear lines of sight; avoidance of foliage that obstructs views; Good lighting; no dark or concealed areas Emergency phone
al., 2016) boxes Security technology (CCTV, emergency report systems) Community volunteers overseeing safety.
Falls: Nonslippery, even paving surfaces; Flat or gently sloped paths; Paths clean of trash and obstructions; Handrails on stairs, ramps, paths; No
skateboarding or cycling in park, or only in designated areas;
Traffic: Park location on low-traffic street; Traffic calming on streets bordering park; Safe crossings and signalized intersections with adequate
times to cross the street; Clearly visible and audible crosswalk signaling
Psychological security: Legible park layout, comprehended from main entry; Wayfinding signage with visual graphics; Map with park layout near
 entrance; Some highly distinctive and visible park features (e.g. clock tower, fountain, etc.); Flyers with “how to use” information for equipment
and facilities Boxes and newsstands with information near entrance
- Contact with nature:
Predominance of “softscapes” (plants, greenery) over “hardscapes” (concrete); Mature trees for adequate shade; Variety of plants and flowers
(different colors, fragrances, etc.); Water elements Wildlife (birds, butterflies, squirrels, ducks); Soothing and natural sounds; Natural sounds and
buffer planting screening/minimizing outside noises and/or unpleasant views; Opportunities for gardening flowers and vegetables
- Age-friendly, ergonomic design:
Seating with ergonomic design, backs, and arms made from natural materials (resistant to high temperatures) ; Light, easily movable seats and
tables; Seating areas under shade (trees, kiosks, trellises, umbrellas, etc.) and overhead protection ; Seating and pavement with contrasting colors
(for compromised depth of fi eld perception); Avoidance of materials producing glare; intermediate and low lighting levels; Universally accessible
water stations; Multiple, clean, spacious restrooms and trash receptacles; Paving that does not inhibit movement; Low-gradient ramps, avoidance
of stairs
- Accessibility:
Park placement near facilities used by seniors (senior centers, churches, etc.); Proximate transit stops; Barrier-free, ADA-accessible sidewalks and
paths; Limited grade changes and flat or gently sloped ramps and pathways; Ample handicapped parking; Sitting opportunities (benches) along
routes to the park; Wayfinding signage with large fonts; visible from wheelchairs
- Physical activity:
Walking loops and paths with destination points; Paths of different lengths and levels of walking difficulty; Exercise equipment for different
capacity levels; Low-impact exercise equipment away from heavy-traffic park areas; Grassy, flat area for group exercise classes and tai chi;
Organized physical activity classes for seniors; Gardening opportunities for seniors
- Social Support:
Seating that facilitates interaction BBQ pits, chess tables, board games; Neighborhood events at the park; Outdoor reading room; Bulletin boards
or newsstands for neighborhood information exchange
Placemaking for an - Control
aging population. Users in parks have a good sense of orientation and understanding of the park’s layout and its different offerings. Orientation is particularly
Guidelines for important for elders who may suffer from cognitive impairments. Control is also related to three other items from the previous list: 1) sense of
Senior-Friendly safety/security at the park; 2) choice; and 3) accessibility. Thus, people feel that they have a good sense of control if they can access the park
Parks (Loukaitou- easily on their own, easily comprehend how to use its facilities, wander around without hurdles, and feel safe
Sideris et al., 2014) Orientation, Legibility, and Way-finding. For a park to provide a sense of orientation people must know that it exists and be able to see it from
some distance, can visit its different parts without getting lost, and understand and be able to take advantage of its offerings . Provide a visible
sign that marks the entrance of the park and indicates its name. • Provide appropriate way-finding signage in the parts of the neighborhood from
where the park is not visible. • Design a legible park layout that can be comprehended easily from the main entry. • Provide a map with the park’s
layout posted at the entrance and at other areas inside the park. • Provide a clear layout of paths in the park. • For large parks that have a variety
of different settings (e.g. barbeque and picnic areas, bowling lawn, etc.) provide some distinctive and highly visible features (e.g. a kiosk, a clock
tower, a fountain, some boulders, etc.) that can serve for orientation. • Avoid the creation of dead-end paths. • Provide educational and
informational signs at the park such as directions for how to use equipment and facilities, plant labels, etc. o Offer signs in Braille o Use visual
graphics on signs • In addition to signs, utilize other sensory cues (sound patterns, pennants, flower fragrances, etc.) for way-finding of significant
destinations. • Have attractive boxes or newsstands near the park entrance that carry flyers with information in different languages about park
programs and activities.
- Choice
Park users, both young and old, value choice. Visitors to a park should have a variety of places to wander, a variety of things to look at, and a
variety of activities and programs for passive and active recreation and enjoyment. Encouraging flexibility in park design and offering different
choices in the ways that a park can be enjoyed makes good sense. • Provide subareas in the park that offer different qualities and opportunities
(e.g. walking paths, exercise stations, areas with lush greenery and vegetation, meditation garden, barbeque areas etc.). • Offer different options
for people to sit – spaces in the sun and in the shade; spaces that are more open and public; and spaces that are more enclosed and private. •
Offer different views and vistas and different things (e.g. flowers, art, birds, etc.) to view and enjoy. • Offer opportunities for both passive
recreation (places to sit, read, people-watch, play cards or other board games, and socialize with friends) and active recreation (walking paths,
exercise activities, gardening). • Provide walking paths that offer different visual and sensory experiences, have different lengths, and various
levels of difficulty. • Provide equipment for active recreation that can accommodate different levels of physical activity (from low-impact exercise
to more strenuous activities). • Provide some flat, grassy, multi-purpose areas that can accommodate a variety of different activities (e.g. tai-chi,
yoga, picnicking, etc.). • Provide a variety of seating options for a person alone, for small and larger groups. Provide movable chairs, right-angled
seating that allows conversation between a few people, circular inward-facing seating that accommodates larger groups, and more secluded
individual seating for those who seek privacy. • To the extent possible, provide features and materials that can be moved, manipulated, and
changed.
- Safety and security
opportunities for natural surveillance of a site by bystanders, who may intervene if there is trouble, discourage potential criminals. Good
maintenance of the site shows that there are natural guardians and caretakers and makes park visitors feel safer. Thus, park design elements that
increase visibility of the park are particularly important. Additionally, the risk of falls may be reduced within the park by the employment of
specific design elements and materials. Lastly, elders may have particular fears about having to cross busy streets with high levels of traffic. In
response, we recommend placing the park on a low-traffic street, providing traffic lights at street crossings, and ensure these crossing have safe
crosswalks included
- Accessibility
The ability to access a park quickly, safely, with ease, and without impediment influences individuals’ decisions to visit it. Indeed, the proximity of
parkland to the place of residence is an important determinant of park visitation. This is particularly true for the elders, who typically have less
physical stamina than younger adults. For them, the ease of the journey to and from the park as well as the ease of movement and orientation
while at the park become particularly important. Accessibility has both physical and psychological dimensions. Certain locational and park design
characteristics will make the space more welcoming to elders and also enhance its physical accessibility. Additionally, the provision of supportive
programs and activities at the park promotes its psychological accessibility. • Consider placing the park in relation to other facilities used by
seniors such as senior citizen centers, churches, community centers, and other community institutions. • Connect the park to the larger
community both physically and programmatically through community events and activities that appeal to seniors (e.g. outdoor health clinic; yoga
for seniors, farmers markets, etc.).
- Social support
Social support refers to the human need of wanting to be connected with other human beings and be cared for and supported by them . Empirical
research has found a strong connection between high levels of social support and health. Parks and park activities can encourage interaction and
socializing among elders and between elders and other groups, while, as discussed in the focus groups, particular activities taking place at the
park can connect the elders to their larger community and promote intergenerational exchanges. Appropriate design can create spaces that
enable people to see and interact with one another, described as sociopetal, while appropriate programming can involve the elders and younger
adults in common recreational or educational activities. • Provide seating arrangements that facilitate social interaction and allow people to
watch human activity, such as seats at right angles or on a circle facing each other, as well as movable seats. • Place some seating along paths. •
Provide “props” for social interaction and small-group activities such as barbeque pits and tables for chess, board games, and cards. • Provide a
flat area for informal gatherings and large-group activities and outdoor classes (e.g. tai chi and yoga classes, ESL classes). • Provide “foils for
conversation”—architectural, natural or landscape elements (kiosks, water fountains, flowers, pigeons, etc.) that bring people together around a
common focus.18 • Organize neighborhood events at the park that can bring people together such as community picnics and parties, annual
cultural events such as 4th of July and Chinese New Year celebrations, and more regular events such as farmers markets, food banks, music
concerts, and movie nights at the lawn. • Facilitate community exchanges such as food banks, community supported agriculture, and exhibits of
neighborhood photos taken by the elders. • Consider organized events that bring youth and seniors together such youth orchestra performances.
• Create a node for local information exchange with a bulletin board and a newsstand. • Create an outdoor reading room, such as a ‘little free
library,’ where community members can donate and read books.
- Physical Activity
Parks and open spaces can encourage physical activity by providing appropriate settings for active recreation and walking. Elders are more likely
than other groups to live sedentary life styles and become intimidated by the prospect of exercise. This despite walking and physical activity
having positive health effects on both younger and older adults. The reluctance of many older adults to get involved in physical activity may be a
result of fear because of declining capacities and limited stamina but also because of lack of appropriate spaces and social support for exercise.
Some elders in the focus group discussions expressed embarrassment of exercising alone at the park. Yet, our research showed that older adults
are flocking to the outdoor recreation areas for seniors that exist in different parts of the world and offer low intensity exercise equipment.
Walking is the easiest and most common type of physical activity for seniors. Planners and designers can encourage walking by creating ability-
appropriate and attractive walking paths that reach interesting destinations (e.g. a fountain, a gazebo, a vista, an outdoor coffee shop). Incentives
and opportunities for walking and exercise should be provided at different lengths and levels of difficulty to address the varying levels of ability of
elders. Additionally, exercise can be achieved through activities and games that may also be fun for some elders such as yoga, tai chi, bocce ball,
lawn bowling etc. Gardening is yet another activity that involves movement and exercise. • Provide walking loops and paths out of non-slippery
and rubbery materials that are easy on the feet. • Place destination points at the end of paths to encourage/attract people to reach them. • For
long trails and paths, install ¼-mile markers to measure walking progress. • Provide low-impact exercise equipment such as outdoor stationary
bikes and elliptical machines. • Provide spaces for exercise away from heavy-traffic areas, under shade and with interesting views. • Provide a
spacious area with grass and trees for group classes or games. • Provide organized senior-friendly physical activity classes. • Encourage and
support gardening. • Build a “wandering garden” for elders with dementia
- Privacy
Even in public spaces, individuals often yearn for some level of privacy, tranquility, and quiet. Parks can offer a break from the high-pace urban
setting that surrounds us and serve as small urban oases within the hustle and bustle of busy city life. Many elders in the focus groups, who lived
in small urban apartments, repeatedly emphasized their need for a tranquil environment at the park. Thus, design and landscaping should offer
sufficient levels of privacy in some subareas of the park, allowing people to avoid social interaction, if they so wish. • Locate the park in a quiet
neighborhood location. • Seek to screen outside noises with natural sounds (water, breeze moving through tree leaves, etc.). • Place seating
areas away from the noise of the street. • Use buffer planting to minimize street noises. • Offer park subareas that enable visitors a level of
physical and visual privacy. • Use buffer planting to create a sense of enclosure around the quieter and more private subareas of the park. • Offer
some seating where visitors can sit alone. • Allocate some areas in the park for a more private use such as personal garden plots or personal bird
feeders
- Contact with nature
Parks bring nature into the city and can offer their visitors positive “natural distractions,” defined as “environmental features that promote an
improved emotional state in the perceiver, may block worrisome thoughts, and foster beneficial changes in physiological systems.” • Prioritize
flowers, verdant plans, and vegetation (‘softscapes’) over concrete pavements (‘hardscapes’) in the park. A ratio of 30% hardscape and 70%
vegetation is recommended. • Plant mature trees that can offer adequate shade to park visitors. • In small parks, arrange flowers in multi-level
plant beds to save space. • Include calm or slowly moving water elements (such as small ponds, creeks, waterfalls). • Consider the park as a
setting for unthreatening wildlife (birds, butterflies, squirrels, ducks etc.). • In still nature sounds (water, birds, breezes, wind chimes). •
Encourage opportunities for gardening flowers and vegetables.
- Comfort
Provision of physical and psychological comfort should be an explicit goal of park design. Visitors are not likely to visit a space and spend some
time there if it makes them uncomfortable. Psychological comfort relates to feelings of safety, which was discussed previously. In this section, we
will propose guidelines that aim to provide the elders but also other park visitors with physical comfort.
Location: • Place the park away from traffic noise and other environmental nuisances.
Seating: • Provide rest stops and opportunities for seating every 25 ft along main paths. • Provide comfortable seating with ergonomic designs
and with backs and arms. • Prefer natural seating materials such as wood or stone that are more resistant to high temperatures. For the same
reason, avoid materials that retain excessive heat such as metal. • The elders are particularly sensitive to glare. Avoid seating materials that have
bright and reflective surfaces that produce glare (e.g. aluminum, white surfaces, etc.). • Movable seats should be of sturdy but also light materials
so that they can be moved easily. • Allow sufficient space around benches and tables for people on wheelchairs and walkers. • Immediate areas
around benches should be devoid of uneven surfaces. • Place seating and tables under large trees or other elements (kiosks, gazebos, trellises,
canopies) that can provide shade.
Protection from Sun, Wind, Rain, and Glare: • Parks in cold climates should have settings with adequate exposure to sunlight. • Place trees and
vegetation strategically to protect from direct sunlight and minimize glare from the sun. • Provide elements that can protect from sun such as
umbrellas, kiosks, arbors, etc. • Provide settings that offer overhead protection. • In windy areas, orient parks or elements in the park to protect
from prevailing winds. • In hot climates, orient park in a way that allows cool breezes.
Amenities: • Provide universally accessible water fountains. • Provide multiple clean and spacious restrooms with hooks for canes, including
restrooms for handicapped access. • Provide multiple trash receptacles. • Provide aesthetic lighting at low or intermediate lighting levels to avoid
glare. • Provide both fixed and movable tables where people can have a picnic or eat lunch. • Provide water fountains and electric outlets near
the seating areas. • Encourage food stands in the park.
Comfortable Movement (see also guidelines for Accessibility): • Provide paving that does not inhibit movement. • Opt for curvilinear and flat
paths as they are more easily navigable for people on wheelchairs.26 • Provide contrasting colors on pavement materials and seating to respond
to some seniors’ compromised depth of field. • Ramps should have a maximum pitch of 1:20 (instead of the standard 1:12). • If steps are
necessary, they should not be more than 4 inches high. • Provide handrails along paths.
- Aesthetic and sensory delight
Parks should offer an aesthetic respite in the city and an opportunity for sensory enjoyment. This is particularly important for residents in dense
inner city areas that lack the settings and amenities that can offer such aesthetic delights. As has been argued, “providing opportunities to see
and manipulate natural objects and observe seasonal changes can encourage park users to use the park as a source of positive sensory
stimulation. ”Such stimulation should not only be visual but also auditory, tactile, and olfactory. Designers can achieve this aesthetic delight
 through aesthetically pleasing design features and landscaping, art pieces, enchanting sounds, and fragrant flowers in a park. Parks designed with
seniors in mind should take into account that older adults walk at slower paces and cover shorter distances than younger adults. For this reason,
sensory interesting features should be placed at shorter intervals than it would be necessary for spaces designed for the general public. However,
there should be a careful consideration of the amount of visual variety so that it does not result in visual clutter. • Place fixed seating and paths in
ways that take advantage of interesting views. • Place fixed seating and paths to take advantage of pleasing views beyond the park (e.g. a view of
a mountain). • Screen or transform unpleasant views (e.g. a blank wall, an asphalt parking lot) through vegetation, mural painting, or art
placement. • Opt for gently curving (instead of straight) paths. • Choose plants and flowers carefully to ensure varying sizes, contrasting colors,
pleasing fragrances and textures, and seasonal variety. • Identify and use plants that have special meanings for particular cultural or ethnic
groups that live in the park’s vicinity. • Consider the installation of outdoor art pieces and fun and whimsical features in the park. • Plant mature
trees. • Plan for soothing and natural sounds by incorporating water elements and mature trees in the park.
- Park Operation: Towards an Intergenerational Playground?
We complete this report with some notes about the programming and operation of a park for seniors. As has been stressed in our interviews, “it
is not an average person that is a senior citizen. People have different needs because of age, gender, culture, income, ability.” Thus, a park’s
“software” — the programming of activities that take place in its setting — should be tailored to the expressed needs of its likely visitors. One
dilemma that emerges for park providers is if and how the created setting will be shared by different age groups. The majority of elders in our
focus groups showed a strong preference for parks that are created for their exclusive use. However, interest exists among gerontologists and
psychologists to promote intergenerational settings because they have the potential to address the alienation and segregation often encountered
by elders. We believe that intergenerational parks can work satisfactorily for older adults if they: 1) privilege them in the use of particular
equipment and facilities; 2) provide facilities for their use in parallel with facilities for use by non-seniors; 3) exclude certain activities that are
deemed dangerous by older adults; and 4) provide a “safe haven” within the park – an area in the park that elders can call their own. Privileging
the use of older adults: As presented previously, “seniors’ playgrounds” in Germany, the UK and Spain are privileging older adults in the use of
particular equipment. For larger parks that can accommodate multiple exercise stations, at least one exercise station should be designated for the
exclusive use of adults over 65. For smaller parks, specific equipment (e.g. low-impact machines) in an exercise station should be reserved for
senior users.
Park Operation: Towards an Intergenerational Playground? We complete this report with some notes about the programming and operation of a
park for seniors. As has been stressed in our interviews, “it is not an average person that is a senior citizen. People have different needs because
of age, gender, culture, income, ability. ”Thus, a park’s “software” — the programming of activities that take place in its setting — should be
tailored to the expressed needs of its likely visitors. One dilemma that emerges for park providers is if and how the created setting will be shared
by different age groups. The majority of elders in our focus groups showed a strong preference for parks that are created for their exclusive use.
However, interest exists among gerontologists and psychologists to promote intergenerational settings because they have the potential to
address the alienation and segregation often encountered by elders. We believe that intergenerational parks can work satisfactorily for older
adults if they: 1) privilege them in the use of particular equipment and facilities; 2) provide facilities for their use in parallel with facilities for use
by non-seniors; 3) exclude certain activities that are deemed dangerous by older adults; and 4) provide a “safe haven” within the park – an area in
the park that elders can call their own. Privileging the use of older adults: As presented previously, “seniors’ playgrounds” in Germany, the UK and
Spain are privileging older adults in the use of particular equipment. For larger parks that can accommodate multiple exercise stations, at least
one exercise station should be designated for the exclusive use of adults over 65. For smaller parks, specific equipment (e.g. low-impact
machines) in an exercise station should be reserved for senior users.
Evaluating Public 5 dimensions for POS:
Space (Mehta, 2014) - Inclusiveness: Presence of people of diverse ages; Presence of people of different gender; Presence of people of diverse classes; Presence of
people of diverse races; Presence of people with diverse physical abilities; Control of entrance to public space: presence of lockable gates,
fences, etc.; Range of activities and behaviours; Opening hours of public space; Presence of surveillance cameras, security guards, guides,
ushers, etc. intimidating and privacy is infringed upon; Presence of posted signs to exclude certain people or behaviours; Perceived openness
and accessibility; Perceived ability to participate in activities and events in space
- Meaningful Activities: Presence of community-gathering third places; Range of activities and behaviours; Space flexibility to suit user needs;
Availability of food within or at the edges of the space; Variety of businesses and other uses at the edges of the space; Perceived suitability of
space layout and design to activities and behaviours; Perceived usefulness of businesses and other uses
- Comfort: Places to sit without paying for goods and services; Seating provided by businesses. Other furniture and artifacts in the space.
Climatic comfort of the space—shade and shelter. Design elements discouraging use of space. Perceived physical condition and maintenance
appropriate for the space. Perceived nuisance noise from traffic or otherwise
- Safety: Visual and physical connection and openness to adjacent street/s or spaces; Physical condition and maintenance appropriate for the
space; Lighting quality in space after dark; Perceived safety from presence of surveillance cameras, security guards, guides, ushers, etc.
providing safety Perceived safety from crime during daytime; Perceived safety from crime after dark; Perceived safety from traffic
- Pleasurability: Presence of memorable architectural; or landscape features (imageability) Sense of enclosure; Variety of sub-spaces; Density
of elements in space providing sensory complexity Variety of elements in space providing sensory complexity Design elements providing focal
points; Visual and physical connection and openness to adjacent street/s or spaces Permeability of building facade on the street front;
Personalization of buildings on the street front; Articulation and variety in architectural features of building facades on the street front;
Density of elements on sidewalk/street providing sensory complexity; Variety of elements on sidewalk/street providing sensory complexity;
Perceived attractiveness of space; Perceived interestingness of space
Community Designing streets for older people based on CABE 2011 principles:
connections and 1. Safe and accessible space – feel you are safe there. Sharing space – feel you have room to move, space to dwell for safe interactions with
Independence in other users:
Later life (Charles Ease of movement: Movement should be enhanced for all users, along with permission to stop and dwell through benches and places to
Musselwhite, 2018) lean and creating focal points to commune at including fountains, works of art, sculptures, memorials or trees, gardens, and other greenery
2. Legible place: Psychological attachment and legitimacy – feel you should be there:
Legibility: area should be designed in a way that is easy to understand and interpret, not just with signage but with other visual and tactile
cues as well to help determine legitimacy in activity and determine user
Adaptability: The place should be built to adapt to changes in the needs of users, policy, and legislation over time
Diversity and choice: Allowing area to be used by a large variety of individuals and uses, with minimum exclusion
3. Distinctive and aesthetically pleasing—somewhere you want to go and spend time—feel you want to be there:
Character: Streets should have character and reflect local identify, history, and culture. Utilising local art and architecture can help enhance
distinct and unique character and identity
Continuity and enclosure: Where public and private spaces are easily distinguished
Quality public realm: Good quality materials easily maintained and replaced
Multi-Criteria Valuation of factors describing public space:
Assessment of Public - Economic nature: E1 Space as a place of work; E2 Creates economic and functional custom; E3 Uniqueness/offer of space; E4 Property market
Space from the prices; E5 Dynamics of property price fluctuation; E6 Living area/1 inhabitant; E7 Perception of business attraction; E8 Business stability
Social Perspective - Social nature: S1 Interactivity; S2 Sense of habit; S3 Relaxation; S4 Sense of belonging; S5 Intensity; S6 Continuity
(Palicki, 2015) - Cultural nature: C1 Bringing back memories; C2 Place identity; C3 Attractiveness (beauty of place)
- Urban nature: U1 Interesting architecture; U2 Lack of barriers; U3 Subjective assessment of place accessibility (perception of the physical and
communicative accessibility of a place); U4 Management aesthetics; U5 Management functionality
Designing Urban A ‘comprehensive pedestrian mobility’ concept with a five-point strategy is proposed encompassing an integrated approach to design for
Public Spaces for inclusive mobility of the elderly:
Pedestrian Mobility 1. Creation of an amicable community in the neighbourhood- compact, walkable, self-sustained zones;
of Elderly Citizens 2. Interpreting every stimulus and interface in the journeycritical approach to analysing the possible barriers to elderly pedestrian mobility and
(Patil & Raj, 2015) crossings;
3. Creation of a continuous ‘walking loop’- an unbroken network of pedestrian accessible public spaces and paths;
4. Enhance micro-level pedestrian environment in urban public spaces- giving attention to details of overall public realm; and
5. Enhance a user-friendly public transit system- design of transit stops, access paths and last mile connectivity
Criteria for Public The criteria of green open spaces to enhance social interaction:
Open Space i. Design, scenery and image of the open space.
Enhancement to ii. Elements and quality of open space.
Achieve Social iii. Activity, and play object of the open space.
Interaction: a Review iv. Good access, connect and linkage of the open space.
Paper (Salih & Ismail, v. Users’ characteristics and interest.
2017) vi. Place attachment of the open space.
vii. Administration and maintenance of the open place.
viii. Safety and security of the open space
Guidelines for To facilitate a positive relationship between older people and their outdoor residential environments:
Planning for Older - Make clear to which specific group of dwellings each outdoor space 'belongs' to provide focal points or landmarks in the common (or shared)
People in Public open space. These can include fountains, bird feeders, trees, clock tower, flag pole, fish pond - to aid orientation and interaction;
Open Space - Provide a variety of outdoor spaces designed for specified activities like: sitting in the sun or shade, alone or in a group; outdoor games;
(Sarkissian & barbecues; gardening; walking without barriers or steep slopes;
Stenberg, 2013) - Provide outdoor facilities for adult sport and leisure;
- Make sure the types of activities are appropriate to the adult population (their age, ethnicity and so on);
- Set aside some areas (possibly raised planter beds in sunny locations) on the site where residents can garden;
- Provide tool storage, seating and running water. Make sure that these gardens are visible from community open spaces and units;
- Locate a carefully designed children's play area (for visiting children) where residents can watch without having their privacy invaded;
- Locate shared areas so that they are accessible and visible from a maximum number of points, while ensuring that individual units maintain
their visual and acoustic privacy;
- Locate outdoor games areas along major pedestrian routes or near the community centre so residents can casually stop and join in;
- Provide shaded seating and storage near outdoor games areas;
- Provide a landscaped seating area near the entry to the development, where residents can watch the main 'action'. Take care, however, that
people entering do not have to 'run the gauntlet' of onlookers;
- Locate shared patios (or other common or shared open space) for parties and barbecue areas next to interior community areas;
 - Ensure that common open space shared by residents of a group of dwellings has been designed so an outsider would not mistake it for public
open space; and
- Explicitly state what each outdoor community space is to be predomninanttly used for
Global Age-friendly Guidelines for outdoor spaces and buildings
Cities: A Guide - Pleasant and clean environment: quiet and peaceful, clean and not being disturbed by noise and odour.
(World Health - Importance of green spaces: poorly maintained, unsafe, inadequate toilet facilities and
Organization, 2007) lack of seating, no protection from the weather, difficulties in getting to the parks, hazards resulting from shared
use of the park (shared activity area with bikes whizzing by, or skateboards or roller-bladers, or large bounding four-legged beasts). a need for
small, quieter, contained green spaces in the fringe areas of the city rather than the large busy parks used by children and skateboarder, special
gardens for their age group, demarcated areas in parks for older people, Better park maintenance.
- Somewhere to rest: The availability of seating areas is generally viewed as a necessary urban feature for older people: it is difficult for many
older people to walk around their local area without somewhere to rest.
- Age-friendly pavements: Th e condition of pavements has an obvious impact on the ability to walk in the local area. Pavements that are narrow,
uneven, cracked, have high curbs, are congested or have obstructions present potential hazards and affect the ability of older people to walk
around. Inadequate pavements are reported as an almost universal problem: pedestrians are forced to share the pavements with street vendors.
cars parked on the pavement force pedestrians to walk on the road. The weather may compound the difficulties experienced by older people
using pavements the
risk of falls is considered greater after it has snowed.
Approval is expressed for improvements that some cities are making to the design and maintenance of pavements. The following features to
make pavements age-friendly are often suggested:
• a smooth, level, non-slip surface;
• sufficient width to accommodate wheelchairs;
• dropped curbs that taper off to be level with the road;
• clearance from obstructions such as street vendors, parked cars and trees; and
• priority of access for pedestrians.
- Safe pedestrian crossings: The ability to cross the road safely is an often mentioned concern, and it is reported that several cities have taken
steps to improve the conditions for people crossing the road: traffic lights at pedestrian crossings, traffic islands, non-slip
strips on pedestrian crossings, bridges and tunnels to assist pedestrians to cross roads, auditory as well as visual cues at crossings, the volume
and speed of road traffic is said to present barriers for older people, both as pedestrians and as drivers. because of heavy traffic; some will not go
out unless they are accompanied.
- Accessibility: In both developed and developing countries, people think that their city was not designed for older people. reference is made to
barriers to physical access, which can discourage older people from leaving their homes. In Rio de Janeiro, it is pointed out that the concrete
ladders to access the favela (shanty town) are difficult for older people to use.
The lack of ramps in some areas is an issue in Sherbrooke. The common recommendation for addressing these concerns is education, particularly
for urban planners and architects, about the needs of older people.
- A secure environment: matters such as street lighting, violence, crime, drugs and homelessness in public
places. Going out at night is especially fearful for many older people. Installing surveillance cameras. promoting self-organized groups among
older people for greater outdoor safety as well as providing more police. The government provide a grant to enable older people to improve their
 personal security.
- Walkways and cycle paths: Walkways and cycle paths are seen as part of a health promoting, age-friendly environment, yet there are hazards
noted as well. In Geneva, cyclists are thought by some to be a danger to older people. In Udine, it is suggested there should be
two pathways – one for cyclists and one for pedestrians. Older people in Cancún, Portland and Saanich value the walking
trails provided in their cities. The need to ensure walkways have a smooth surface is highlighted by caregivers in Halifax, and the need to ensure
they are easy to access with sufficient wheelchair access points is mentioned by older people and caregivers in Portage la Prairie. Older people in
Udine advise developing a system of walkways to move through the area, and in Halifax, walkways in car parks are called for to ensure the safety
of pedestrians. Adding public toilets near walkways is another idea put forward in Saanich.
- Adequate public toilets: The availability of clean, conveniently located, well-signed, handicap-accessible toilets
is generally regarded as an important age-friendly feature of the built environment. In Islamabad, appreciation is expressed for the recently
introduced public toilets, which are increasing in number. A number of barriers are identified in relation to public toilets. In Halifax, it is noted
that the toilet doors are heavy. In Himeji, public toilets are small and not all are the type with seats. In La Plata, caregivers point out that there are
no toilets accessible to people with disabilities.
A Conceptual Age-friendly outdoor development should consider individual and group activities, active and passive use of space and ensure the harmonious
Guideline to Age- coexistence of quietness and liveliness to appeal to seniors interested in different activities. Interpreted from the activity analysis:
Friendly Outdoor (i) sufficient fitness equipment that is suitable for the physical condition of seniors should be planned to encourage physical exercises; (ii)
Space Development sufficient sets of tables and seating should be planned in open squares to promote mind recreational table games; (iii) comparatively more chairs
in China: How Do should be planned, and a well-designed chair is made of wood and has back support according to the feedback collected from the interview. (iv)
Chinese sufficient open squares with various sizes should be planned to limit the field dispute and guarantee the quality of individual resting activity and
Seniors Use the various entertaining group activities.
Urban The provision of sufficient and high-quality seating and open squares can not only support physical exercise, relaxation and entertainment, but
Comprehensive also cultivate potential communication opportunities to gain stable social relationships for seniors through getting involved in various activities
Park? A Focus with others.
on Time, Place, and Also, pleasing visiting experiences must be accompanied by the provision of sufficient basic facilities with frequent maintenance, such as drinking
Activities (Zhai et al., fountains, toilets and cafes.
2018) Places and activities are interrelated. Particular places support certain activities. It is suggested that in the beginning stages of an age-friendly
outdoor development, the desired activity types of senior users must be studied as people are the core of a space. Activities recorded can serve
as a reference guide to help forming surveys for collecting data on potential senior users’ preferred activities. Then, necessary functional zones
with distinct special features can be designed according to the data collected through surveys to support preferred activities. Detailed landscape
preferences and preferred activity facilities should be designed within the functional zones to enhance the outdoor experience of seniors. In
order to improve the engagement between senior users and the outdoor environment, additional functional zones associated with seniors’
preferred landscape features that offer innovative activities can be introduced to promote active aging as well. Various combinations of
functional zone and detailed landscape preferences can be generated by design practitioners according to particular locations, sizes and uses of
outdoor spaces. Further studies on the appropriate proportions of desired landscape features are required to reach the best outcomes.