Speaker
Description
Previously localised in Global North countries, population ageing is rapidly involving also the Global South. For older people, the possibility of getting out of the house and walking in one's neighbourhood to access basic opportunities is crucial for maintaining autonomy and quality of life, as well as for ageing healthily. However, in Latin American cities, the incidence of crime and the perceived insecurity may be a threat to walking. Despite "fear gaps" between crime perception and occurrence, subjective and objective dimensions related to crime can negatively influence the willingness to leave the house and to walk. However, this issue has received less attention than safety (related, for example, to accidents). This study examines the extent to which the occurrence of crime and perceived insecurity influence the walking behavior of older people, challenging the potential advantages of accessibility-by-proximity. By comparing the cities of Santiago, Chile, and Guadalajara, Mexico, we aim to understand how these factors affect the mobility and decision-making processes of older adults.
In each city, our analysis draws on a survey (n = 40) led with older people living in areas with a similar presence of ageing inhabitants and accessibility-by-proximity, but different crime incidence. Our results show that walking within the neighborhood is positively associated with shopping and recreational activities, perceived ease of reaching necessary places, and satisfaction with mobility experiences. A sense of safety while walking in the neighborhood also shows a positive correlation, while negative correlations are observed with property damage and public infrastructure damage. Interestingly, the experience of being a crime victim does not show significant correlations with other variables. However, perceptions of insecurity also play a crucial role. Greater perceived safety while walking alone in the neighborhood is linked to reduced insecurity from property damage and public infrastructure damage. Similarly, feeling safer while waiting for public transport is associated with less insecurity from public infrastructure damage. Comparative analysis reveals some differences between the two cities. In Chile, there is higher satisfaction with mobility and a more pleasant perception of the environment. In Mexico, there is greater dependence on others when going out and more elements associated with insecurity are observed. Preventive practices among older adults further highlight the impact of perceived insecurity. Avoiding walking alone correlates with reduced visits to local parks and plazas, which in turn correlates with avoiding leaving the house alone and avoiding trips to the commercial and civic center of the community. As a result, perceived insecurity, rather than the actual occurrence of crime, appears to be a factor that may prevent older people from walking and taking advantage of proximity. This highlights the importance of both spatial and social interventions to enhance the mobility, security, and autonomy of aging populations.
| Keywords | Walking; security; proximity; older people |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
