Perceptual assessment of the quality of urban space - validation of criteria and metrics by older citizens

Despite the urban challenges related to population aging and urbanization, cities remain insufficiently adapted to the needs of seniors. Numerous instruments and studies for the assessment of urban quality of life (QoL) have already been developed, but tools evaluating the age-friendliness of urban areas and involving participatory multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) are scarce. The study aimed to conduct workshops with the participation of seniors to validate the criteria, sub-criteria, and metrics used to assess the quality of senior-friendly architectural and urban space, formulated in previous studies on QoL and MCDA. The group task involved proposing metrics for assessing the quality of architectural and urban spaces by describing them on sticky notes, which were subsequently attached to specific sub-criteria on B1 boards. Participants were asked to select the three most important criteria and three most important sub-criteria on an A3 board. The answers were developed during group work, and were individually analyzed and compiled in a larger group. Both existing and newly proposed metrics were validated. The questionnaire survey, constituting a part of the assessment framework, was improved based on added/reformulated metrics. The most significant criterion, according to seniors, is ex aequo K1. <i>Accessibility of urban area for</i> aging <i>population</i> and K.6. <i>Adaptability for seniors</i> aging <i>in place</i>. Metrics repeatedly suggested were <i>lifts</i>, <i>handrails</i>, <i>benches</i>, as well as <i>proximity to shops and parks</i>. Urban planners and older citizens can use the questionnaire to evaluate the quality of urban spaces. The weights assigned by seniors suggest what aspects should be paid attention to when planning cities. Further research will include validation of the evaluation framework with experts and subsequently improving the questionnaire. The following stage will concern conducting a large-scale questionnaire survey among older residents.