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Barrier-free outdoor environments: Older peoples' perceptions before and after implementation of legislative directives

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  • Wennberg, Hanna
  • Hydén, Christer
  • Ståhl, Agneta

Abstract

An increased focus on international and national levels of society to meet the transportation needs of older people and people with disabilities is realized through legislation, directives and guidelines on accessibility. This paper examines effects of removing physical barriers according to current Swedish governmental accessibility directives on older peoples' perceptions of outdoor environments (usability) and on their mobility and perceived safety as pedestrians. This paper also focuses on municipal planners' views on the implementation of improved accessibility. A before-after study, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, is conducted. The results from the questionnaires show that older peoples' overall satisfaction with the outdoor environment has increased after implementation; however no differences are found if physical barriers specifically are considered. Older peoples' mobility is also unchanged; nevertheless, fewer respondents are stating difficulties in walking due to barriers in the outdoor environments as reason to avoid outdoor mobility. Problems do remain after implementation, for example concerning safety/security-related issues and inaccessible entrances and indoor environments.

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  • Wennberg, Hanna & Hydén, Christer & Ståhl, Agneta, 2010. "Barrier-free outdoor environments: Older peoples' perceptions before and after implementation of legislative directives," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 464-474, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:17:y:2010:i:6:p:464-474
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    2. Iqbal Hamiduddin & Daniel Fitzpatrick & Rebekah Plueckhahn & Uurtsaikh Sangi & Enkhjin Batjargal & Erdenetsogt Sumiyasuren, 2021. "Social Sustainability and Ulaanbaatar’s ‘Ger Districts’: Access and Mobility Issues and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Taylor, Zbigniew & Józefowicz, Iwona, 2012. "Intra-urban daily mobility of disabled people for recreational and leisure purposes," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 155-172.
    4. Hallgrimsdottir, Berglind & Wennberg, Hanna & Svensson, Helena & Ståhl, Agneta, 2016. "Implementation of accessibility policy in municipal transport planning – Progression and regression in Sweden between 2004 and 2014," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 196-205.
    5. Hallgrimsdottir, Berglind & Svensson, Helena & Ståhl, Agneta, 2015. "Long term effects of an intervention in the outdoor environment—a comparison of older people’s perception in two residential areas, in one of which accessibility improvements were introduced," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 90-97.
    6. Aarhaug, Jørgen & Elvebakk, Beate, 2015. "The impact of Universally accessible public transport–a before and after study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 143-150.
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    8. Vanessa Stjernborg, 2019. "Accessibility for All in Public Transport and the Overlooked (Social) Dimension—A Case Study of Stockholm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-16, September.
    9. Yuxin Cao & Chye Kiang Heng & John Chye Fung, 2019. "Using Walk-Along Interviews to Identify Environmental Factors Influencing Older Adults’ Out-of-Home Behaviors in a High-Rise, High-Density Neighborhood," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-22, November.
    10. Jiemeng Yang & Chen He & Zhongjun Mo & Junchao Guo & Run Ji & Yu Wang & Chunjing Tao & Yubo Fan, 2022. "The Effects of Pedestrian Environment on Ambulation with a Walking Frame in Elderly Individuals: A Survey and Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, July.
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