Cara Davis and Eunju Hwang Housing, Virginia Tech

 This study was a literature review on walkability and the effect on the older population  Databases used: Virginia Tech Library, AgeLine, Factiva  Keywords used: aging in place, complete streets, walkability, livable communities, age friendly environments

Source: WHO (2007) AFC are communities with “policies, services and structures related to the physical and social environment [that] are design to support and enable older people…to live in security, enjoy good health and continue to participate fully in society” (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008).

Source: Lui et al. (2009) Top Down Physical Environment Social Environment Bottom Up

Source: Lui et al. (2009)

 The measurement of whether community design encourages or inhibits walking  Includes four elements: ◦ Land-use mix ◦ Street connectivity and maintenance ◦ Neighborhood aesthetics and safety ◦ Pedestrian safety  Current communities account only for automobile dominated transportation which can cause issues as non-drivers use the road

 Benefits of walking ◦ Encourages independence and aging in place ◦ Increase in exercise and social interactions ◦ Allows for transportation regardless of ability or inability to drive a car ◦ Ensures food security and doctor visits  Problems in current communities ◦ Lack of sidewalks, discouraging walking ◦ Residential and retail locations are built too far apart for walking ◦ The inability to drive isolates seniors from society

 The mixing of residential, commercial, service, and retail zoning  Small town main street style zoning  This mix allows manageable destinations to older walkers and bikers  Makes shopping for necessities and luxuries convenient and available without use of a car  Other benefits ◦ Less cars = less emissions ◦ Encourages involvement in economy ◦ Encourages exercise in entire community

 Connecting streets efficiently and keeping them maintained to allow shorter and easier walking distances  Blocks, neighborhoods  Makes travel time comfortable for older adults  Makes public transit more accessible  Other benefits ◦ Encourages social visits throughout neighborhoods ◦ Increase in property values with well kept streets

 The perception of beauty, comfort, and security in a neighborhood  Clean streets, gardens, well kept housing and businesses, police presence and other aspects make walking neighborhoods pleasant and safe  Landmarks assist wayfinding  Rest spots and benches encourage longer trips that otherwise would be difficult  Other benefits: ◦ All additions mentioned increase property value ◦ Encourages walking for all neighborhood members

 Accounting for the welfare of pedestrians and ensuring their rights to the road are respected  Complete streets concept: roads which account for all forms of transportation  A change in policy to ensure pedestrian safety can lower the high number of non-driver accidents along major roadways  Well marked crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, and visual and auditory directions aid non- drivers with wayfinding and keep them from dangerous interactions with drivers

 Benefits of Walking ◦ Builds muscle tone ◦ Helps maintain healthy weight ◦ Does not require the ability to drive a car ◦ Allows access to nearby shops, people, and locations  Indirect impact ◦ Lower depression rates due to less isolation ◦ Better quality of life because of independence and food security ◦ Strengthens mental status with societal interaction

 Complete Streets Policy  Adopted in 2009  This policy directs NCDOT to consider and incorporate all modes of transportation when building new projects or making improvements to existing infrastructure

 Secondary Streets Policy  Adopted in 2009, began in 2012  States an additional set of rules that new streets must follow in order to be maintained by the state  Covered are sidewalks, sustainability, storm water management, bicycle facilities, curb cuts, and other aspects to incorporate walkability and sustainability to new streets

 Launched 2010  Aims to help cities prepare for two global demographic trends; rapid aging and increasing urbanization  Total of 30 cities involved  5 year, 4 state process of planning, implementing, and evaluating

 Design 2-3 apartments for multi-generational co- housing project in Korea to suit the needs of two households ◦ Household 1: an elderly woman who is downsizing her housing ◦ Household 2: the middle-aged daughter of the elderly woman and her husband  Requirements: balcony, coat closet at entry, specified entry, accessibility features, modern style, sustainable and durable floors with area rugs, bookshelves, window coverings must be shades or venetian blinds, ceramic or stone tile at entry, minimal framed artwork with lighting, natural lighting  Budget: $100,000

 Universal Design ◦ Covered corridor to connect apartments and allow easy access to other apartments ◦ No or low thresholds between doorways and shower entrances ◦ Followed NKBA access standards ◦ No slip flooring ◦ Contrasting colors to distinguish different items  Cultural Aspects ◦ Use of horizontal lines ◦ Traditional patterns and materials ◦ Additional space for entry ◦ Timeless modern style ◦ Excessive counter space for food prep and storage

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