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Understanding Older Adults’ Usage of Community Green Spaces in Taipei, Taiwan

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  • Eryn Pleson

    (Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Avenue 11405-87, Edmonton, AL T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Laura M. Nieuwendyk

    (Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Avenue 11405-87, Edmonton, AL T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Karen K. Lee

    (Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Avenue 11405-87, Edmonton, AL T6G 1C9, Canada
    Pratt Institute, New York, NY 10011, USA)

  • Anuradha Chaddah

    (Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Avenue 11405-87, Edmonton, AL T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Candace I. J. Nykiforuk

    (Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Avenue 11405-87, Edmonton, AL T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Donald Schopflocher

    (Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Avenue 11405-87, Edmonton, AL T6G 1C9, Canada)

Abstract

As the world’s population ages, there is an increasing need for community environments to support physical activity and social connections for older adults. This exploratory study sought to better understand older adults’ usage and perceptions of community green spaces in Taipei, Taiwan, through direct observations of seven green spaces and nineteen structured interviews. Descriptive statistics from observations using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) confirm that older adults use Taipei’s parks extensively. Our analyses of interviews support the following recommendations for age-friendly active living initiatives for older adults: make green spaces accessible to older adults; organize a variety of structured activities that appeal to older adults particularly in the morning; equip green spaces for age-appropriate physical activity; and, promote the health advantages of green spaces to older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Eryn Pleson & Laura M. Nieuwendyk & Karen K. Lee & Anuradha Chaddah & Candace I. J. Nykiforuk & Donald Schopflocher, 2014. "Understanding Older Adults’ Usage of Community Green Spaces in Taipei, Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:2:p:1444-1464:d:32533
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lavizzo-Mourey, R. & McGinnis, J.M., 2003. "Making the Case for Active Living Communities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(9), pages 1386-1388.
    2. Parra, D.C. & McKenzie, T.L. & Ribeiro, I.C. & Hino, A.A.F. & Dreisinger, M. & Coniglio, K. & Munk, M. & Brownson, R.C. & Pratt, M. & Hoehner, C.M. & Simoes, E.J., 2010. "Assessing physical activity in public parks in Brazil using systematic observation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(8), pages 1420-1426.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bik C. Chow & Thomas L. McKenzie & Cindy H. P. Sit, 2016. "Public Parks in Hong Kong: Characteristics of Physical Activity Areas and Their Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Ru Zhang & Yanping Duan & Walter Brehm & Petra Wagner, 2019. "Socioecological Correlates of Park-based Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Comparison of Hong Kong and Leipzig Parks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Hyun Jin Lee & Dong Kun Lee, 2019. "Do Sociodemographic Factors and Urban Green Space Affect Mental Health Outcomes Among the Urban Elderly Population?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-13, March.
    4. Clare A. Bartels & Estelle V. Lambert & Marié E. M. Young & Tracy Kolbe-Alexander, 2023. "If You Build It Will They Come? Park Upgrades, Park Use and Park-Based Physical Activity in Urban Cape Town, South Africa—The SUN Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-24, January.
    5. Zelin Zhang & Xiaomin Tang & Yun Wang, 2023. "Evaluation of the Intergenerational Equity of Public Open Space in Old Communities: A Case Study of Caoyang New Village in Shanghai," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-26, July.
    6. Maeghan E. James & Emma Jianopoulos & Timothy Ross & Ron Buliung & Kelly P. Arbour-Nicitopoulos, 2022. "Children’s Usage of Inclusive Playgrounds: A Naturalistic Observation Study of Play," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    7. Xinxin Wang & Susan Rodiek, 2019. "Older Adults’ Preference for Landscape Features Along Urban Park Walkways in Nanjing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-22, October.
    8. Linde Van Hecke & Jelle Van Cauwenberg & Peter Clarys & Delfien Van Dyck & Jenny Veitch & Benedicte Deforche, 2016. "Active Use of Parks in Flanders (Belgium): An Exploratory Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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