Everyday mobility practices of older women in Santiago, Chile: the importance of walking in the neighbourhood

Walking offers multiple benefits for older persons, and evidence suggests that certain characteristics of the urban environment can play a role in enabling or constraining this practice. This article explores the everyday mobility practices of older women in their neighbourhoods. More specifically, the study analyses findings from semi-structured interviews and participatory mapping conducted with 25 older women residing in three central neighbourhoods of Santiago, Chile. The results reveal that, despite differences in transport options and neighbourhood characteristics, walking is the primary mode of transport for older women, supporting a wide range of everyday activities, from accessing food, services, and public spaces to engaging in cultural outings and fulfilling caregiving responsibilities. The findings also show that walking is a social practice through which older women maintain friendships, particularly with other older women, nurture intergenerational care, and participate in public life within their neighbourhoods. The built environment both enabled and constrained women’s mobility, with participants describing significant obstacles such as uneven and narrow sidewalks, limited curb ramps, and a scarcity of benches to rest, addressing a gap in limited international evidence on the built environment barriers shaping older women’s everyday mobility. The article concludes by reflecting on how walkable and inclusive neighbourhood design, informed by age- and gender-sensitive approaches, can play a crucial role in supporting aging in place and enhancing the everyday mobility of older women.