DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2019.130
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/2531
Date of Award
6-2019
Degree Name
Master of City and Regional Planning
Department/Program
City and Regional Planning
College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Qijun Zeng
Advisor Department
<--Please Select Department-->
Advisor College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
The dimension of humanization has been neglected for decades. Planning themes such as automobile and transportation have erroneously occupied a dominant position. While public space, pedestrian activities and urban space as a gathering place for urban residents have been placed in a very minor position. As motorization in contemporary cities develops, the overall pedestrian environment of cities is deteriorating, and the street spaces are seriously lacking in the care and consideration of pedestrians, especially the vulnerable groups. Urban design generally, and pedestrian environment in particular, has a significant influence on pedestrian activity. Also, with the aging of the Baby Boomer generation (and Generation X, to a lesser degree), the older adult population will increase significantly over the next few decades in California and the United States as a whole. For most people, walking is a social equal mode of transportation, involving all levels, including children and the elderly. For the elderly, walking is the most common way to travel, and also the most convenient and economical way to exercise and participate in public activities, so streets are often the most commonly used outdoor space for walking. Streets should be designed to encourage walking, cycling, and interaction. The core content of this study is how to construct urban street space suitable for the elderly. Specifically speaking, what are the needs of the elderly regarding street designs that allows them to walk and participate in public activities. The study will also looks at whether the existing urban street environments meet these needs, for comfort level and interest level and how to create street space to meet these needs, so that urban streets can better serve the elderly.