The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of which physical features of the urban environment people of different age groups find appealing. Such information could help city planners in providing environments which encourage urban residents to go outdoors and thus lead a healthier life-style.
This study was conducted in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (HMA) of Finland with both children and adults participating. Two surveys were used to collect information about places perceived as being positive. An adult survey was sent to a random sample of adults from 11 residential areas of HMA. A children's survey was administered to students in 16 schools in HMA representing different urban structures.
Respondents used an Internet interface to mark on a map locations they liked and didn't like. They were also asked to indicate what they liked to do in those places. A total of 896 children (age 11 and 14) and 2027 adults participated. The focus of this paper is on the places marked positive, which for children were 1799 places and for adults, 6381.
Data was analyzed in relation to five age groups: two children and three adult groups. Differences in the physical features of preferred places were studied using a set of Geographic Information System (GIS) variables. Results indicated that the physical features of the environment differ in places preferred by different age groups.
The adult age groups preferred places that were green, blue (having water), and commercial. Children and adolescents preferred sports and commercial places. Places adolescents enjoyed tended to be further from home, while older adults preferred places close to home. The preferred places of adults and children also differed in terms of land use. Adolescents tended to enjoy schools and schoolyards, while young and working-age adults preferred traffic areas (mainly places for moving around).
These findings support the idea that the configuration of a physical environment might not appeal equally to people of different ages. Thus, it becomes important to include a life-course and place-based perspective in research relating to urban environmental quality. These findings also have implications for urban planners in their efforts to provide health-promoting environments for people across different age groups. The authors recognize the challenge of creating motivating environments for all age groups in one setting, yet they recommend working towards this goal. This recommendation is based, in part, on the fact that space for recreation is limited, especially in urban settings.
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