Urban renewal and neighborhood mobility impacts on the elderly

Abstract

Population aging is happening in many countries and cities worldwide, and Hong Kong is also facing the same problem. The population in Hong Kong grows rapidly, and it is predicted that the aging population will double in the future. However, even though 16% of the population are seniors in Hong Kong, the elderly lack social attention and care as their minds seldom can be expressed due to the lack of logical channels. The physical and mental problems caused by the lack of social attention also will induce many social problems such as increasing financial burden on the public health of the elderly and low employment rate. There is no doubt that urban renewal has both positive and negative impacts on people. However, if the negative impacts of urban renewal on the elderly and the needs for the walking environment are not emphasized timely, this will cause more social problems associated with the population aging. Providing more channels for the elderly to express their views and paying attention to the concerns from the elderly ensure the life quality of the elderly and also improve both the physical and mental health of the elderly. The research applies a qualitative method — Go-along interview, to provide a chance for the elderly to express their minds on urban renewal as well as their suggestions on the walking environment and aging-friendly society. Eighteen interviews are conducted to identify their concerns on urban renewal, the views on the existing walking environment, and their suggestions on building an aging-friendly society. Based on the findings, this study also offers recommendations to the Hong Kong government and URA to build an aging-friendly society.