Elderly People's Social Support and Walking Space by Space-time Path: A Case Study of Taipei Xinyi District

Due to the trend of global aging, issues of the elderly should be paid attention to. In January 2014, the elderly accounted for 11.57% of the population in Taiwan. By around 2017 Taiwan will become an Aged society. In order to provide seniors with a healthy and better life, the living environment and space arrangements will be important factors in the urban city. This study statistically assesses the walking space and the living path of elders by out-door activity type, walking range time and walking environment to understand the activity conditions and types of elders in Xin-Yu district, referencing the World Health Organisation's recommendations on "Global Age-friendly Cities: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings". This study investigates 22 seniors in the Xin-Yi district using the Global Positioning System, observations and deep interviews to explore the influencing factors, such as activity type, activity item, space equipment and walking environment of elders, to propose the requirements of walking spaces and suggestions for improvement in Xin-Yi district. The result found that the condition of elders' activity and societal support demanded the utilisation of activity environments and walking spaces for social-type elders, including public social spaces, safe road crossings, bus stops and bus information support; for selection-type elders, demand was identified for communication chairs at shopping arcades and diverse sports facilities; and for essential-type elders, demands were on participatory open space and cooperative group facilities. Through the setting and improving of the urban resources above, social support for elders can be improved through the provision of friendly and healthy urban city activity spaces.