Designing age-friendly communities

Exploring qualitative perspectives on urban green spaces and ageing in two indian megacities

Journal article (2021)

Authors

Adlakha Queen's University Belfast
Chandra Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
Krishna Viveka Foundation, Foundation for Research and Advocacy in Mental Health
Smith Anglia Ruskin University
Tully Ulster University
Affiliation
External organisation
India Built environment Older adults Healthy ageing Urban green spaces
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

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External organisation

Abstract

The World Health Organization and the United Nations have increasingly acknowledged the importance of urban green space (UGS) for healthy ageing. However, low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India with exponential ageing populations have inadequate UGS. This qualitative study examined the relationships between UGS and healthy ageing in two megacities in In-dia. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling in New Delhi and Chennai and semi-structured interviews were conducted with consenting participants (N = 60, female = 51%; age > 60 years; fluent in English, Hindi, or Tamil). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analysed using inductive and thematic analysis. Benefits of UGS included community building and social capital, improved health and social resilience, physical activity promotion, reduced exposure to noise, air pollution, and heat. Poorly maintained UGS and lack of safe, age-friendly pedestrian infrastructure were identified as barriers to health promotion in later life. Neighbourhood disorder and crime constrained older adults’ use of UGS in low-income neighbourhoods. This study under-scores the role of UGS in the design of age-friendly communities in India. The findings highlight the benefits of UGS for older adults, particularly those living in socially disadvantaged or under-served communities, which often have least access to high-quality parks and green areas.