Outdoor Spaces and Buildings

Well-designed open spaces and buildings increase the mobility, independence and quality of life for older people; they create an age-friendly, pleasant, clean, secure and accessible built environment to support walkability and physical activity. 

The outside environment and public buildings and infrastructure have a major impact on Healthy Active Ageing, influencing people's mobility, quality of life and independence. Employing Universal Design and dementia-friendly principles, where appropriate, in shaping outdoor spaces and buildings can increase their usability and safety, and improve the health and social participation of the whole community, not just older people [119]. This is achieved by ensuring that the design and operation of environments, products and systems are useable across the community, without the need for adaptation or specialised design [100].

Universally accessible public buildings

Public buildings designed by integrating Universal Design principles can support older people to be more active, enhance their sense of security and provide opportunities to socialise. Features such as ramps, elevators, railings on stairs and stairs that are not too high or steep can make buildings more accessible to older people. The building frontage is important to ensure clear wayfinding and easy access. Good lighting, signage and sufficient seating and accessible toilets all help to make public and civic buildings more inviting and encourage greater physical activity and social engagement [116].

Buildings should provide cycling stands (and storage where appropriate) since the growth of e-bikes opens up cycling to people of older ages. Adopting universal design principles at the beginning of a project reduces the cost of having to modify existing structures at a later time to make them accessible for older adults and people with disabilities [119].

Safe environments

Public safety is an important element relating to older people’s decisions about mobility. Aspects of the built environment can make older people feel that they can reach their destinations or use the resources in the environment around them safely, and this positively influences mobility decisions [121]. Perceptions of public safety in outdoor spaces and public buildings are critical for older people. Safety directly affects their decisions to engage in physical activity; providing good street lighting, a police presence and crime prevention through environmental design features can minimise crime [116].

Pleasant and welcoming built environments

Research indicates that the aesthetics of the built environment and the surroundings can influence physical activity: an aesthetically pleasing environment is positively associated with increased mobility [73]. Settings that are aesthetically pleasing, clean, free from rubbish, noise pollution and harmful odours are positively associated with greater mobility by older adults [74]. Environments with signs of decay, such as litter and graffiti, appear to influence older adults' perception of security and are associated with decreased mobility [23].

The importance of landscape

The presence of trees, gardens and plants are considered aesthetically pleasing and positively impact physical activity [101]. Tree canopy provides shade and encourages physical activity and socialisation. Additionally, there is evidence that it can provide a positive impact on the mental health of older people [24]. Locally endemic, mature trees and plants should be integrated into the design of public plazas and open spaces to enhance Healthy Active Ageing outcomes. Additionally, local policy and design guidelines can support increased levels of landscape within private lots that complement streetscapes with trees.

Facilities within public places

Well-maintained and safe public open spaces with adequate shelter, toilet facilities and accessible seating are associated with greater physical activity in older adults [61]. Outdoor seating needs to be available across the community, especially in parks, transport stops and public spaces, including shopping precincts [116].

Safe and accessible pedestrian pathways

Pedestrian-friendly walkways, underpasses and overpasses that are accessible and free from obstructions facilitate physical activity in older adults [116]. Pavements should be well-maintained, smooth, level, non-slip and wide enough to accommodate mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers and mobility scooters [82]. Environments that are pedestrian-friendly with frequent high-visibility pedestrian crossings, raised medians or pedestrian refuge islands encourage activity. High traffic speeds and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure can make pedestrians feel unsafe and therefore limits their walking and physical activity [74]. Pedestrian crossing lights allow sufficient time for older people to cross and include both audio and visual signals [116]. Walkways and cycle paths are seen as key components for Healthy Active Ageing. Providing well-designed, smooth and wide paths that are separated for cyclists and pedestrians is especially important for older peoples' sense of safety [116].

For more information about how planning can support the best possible outdoor spaces and buildings outcomes for active ageing, see the HAbD Public Open Space and Buildings design features.