Designing better urban green spaces for active ageing in high-density cities (14603617) (1 Nov 17 - 31 Oct 20)
• Researchers: Kevin LAU, CHAN Yuen King Paul, REN Chao, Jean WOO
• Funding Amount: HK$621,992
• Funding source: Research Grants Council - General Research Fund

In high-density cities, urban green spaces should be considered as one’s extended living space for elderly people due to the compact indoor living environment. Well-designed urban green spaces promote active ageing and improve the well-being of elderly people. The proposed study intends to understand elderly’s perception, preference and usage of urban green spaces, and the effect on their health and well-being in order to provide insights to the planning and design of age-friendly urban green spaces in high-density cities.

Studies have shown substantial variations in elderly’s perception, preference and usage of urban green spaces in different urban settings. Designers must therefore take into account these variations when designing urban green spaces. Most of the existing studies were conducted in low- to medium-density cities. However, studies in high-density living environment are rare. In addition, elderly’s perception and preference of urban green spaces were proved to be highly associated with its usage pattern but its relationship with their health and well-being is seldom considered.

In high-density cities like Hong Kong, elderly’s perception, preference and usage of urban green spaces are constrained by limited availability of urban green spaces. Such spaces are characterized by close proximity, fragmented in size, confined space, and mixed design elements. Therefore, it is important to optimize these characteristics in order to address elderly’s need for urban green spaces for active ageing.

The proposed study aims to contribute by: (i) selecting study sites by a site audit of urban green spaces in typical neighbourhood in Hong Kong’s high-density living environment; (ii) conducting questionnaire surveys with elderly people to obtain necessary information about their perception, preference and usage of urban green spaces in their neighbourhood, as well as their health conditions using the established SF12v2 health survey; (iii) statistically analyzing the perceived quality, preference and usage pattern and determine their relationship with elderly’s health conditions; (iv) based on the above findings, developing good design practices and establishing evidence-based design guidelines of urban green spaces for urban planning and design practitioners.

The Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) is an important document for urban planners and designers in Hong Kong. However, it only provides quantitative information about the design of urban green spaces. Findings of the proposed study can improve the HKPSG by providing further guidance on elderly’s perception, preference and usage of urban green spaces for active ageing. Beyond Hong Kong, it will provide supplementary understandings to the WHO’s Guide for Global Age-friendly Cities in terms of providing better urban green spaces for active ageing.