Place (in)securities: older adults’ perceptions across urban environments in the United Kingdom ((In)seguridades de lugar. Percepciones de las personas mayores en distintos entornos urbanos del Reino Unido)

Makita, Meiko, Woolrych, Ryan, Sixsmith, Judith, Murray, Michael, Menezes, Deborah, Fisher, Jenny ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9179-3485 and Lawthom, Rebecca (2020) Place (in)securities: older adults’ perceptions across urban environments in the United Kingdom ((In)seguridades de lugar. Percepciones de las personas mayores en distintos entornos urbanos del Reino Unido). PsyEcology, 11 (2). pp. 214-231. ISSN 2171-1976

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Abstract

This paper explores empirical accounts of perceived insecurities and accompanying issues that make urban place problematic and can impact older adults’ well-being and overall quality of life. Findings reported derive from the project ‘Place-Making with Older People: Towards Age-Friendly Communities’ which investigates both barriers and facilitators to developing age-friendly cities. Drawing on interviews with older adults in three cities in the United Kingdom (UK), the analysis demonstrates that physical and social vulnerabilities, along with the characteristics of the built and social environment, play a role in influencing older adults’ behaviours, routines and habits in the community. The results are discussed with a view of influencing practice and policy priorities relating to age-friendly cities.