A five-year follow-up among older people after an outdoor environment intervention

This study investigates older inhabitants’ appreciation of environmental measures taken in their residential area and the effect on perceived difficulty as pedestrians and in outdoor activity. The study is based on data collected with a mailed questionnaire at baseline and at a 5-year follow-up (after intervention) posted to 195 people aged 65+ in a residential area in a medium-sized Swedish town, rather typical for Northern Europe. Appreciation of the environment was analysed overall and in sub-groups. Overall appreciation was higher for women, in particular as regards longer green time at signalised crossings, and for those reporting better perceived health, in particular concerning separation between bicyclists and pedestrians. As concerns changes in perceived difficulty as pedestrians and in outdoor activity, no differences were found, either overall or in sub-groups. However, the study identifies which environmental measures older people appreciate, indicating that certain sub-groups may benefit more from interventions in the outdoor environment.

► It is the most vulnerable users that benefit the most from the measures in the pedestrian environments.
► Even pavements and lower curbs are appreciated the most by users of mobility devices.
► Individual characteristics such as sex and health are significantly related to the appreciation.
► The knowledge is valuable for cities in order to make cost-effective prioritization of measures.