The usage pattern and spatial preference of community facilities by elder people in rural environments

摘要

Currently, rural areas in China are experiencing a rapid aging phenomenon and community facilities play an important role in the aging process for rural elderly people. This study combined quantitative and qualitative research by using behavioral observation and mapping methods to analyze the usage patterns of community facilities by the local elderly population in rural environment. The study selected two villages as samples of different kinds of "rurality" in the Zhejiang Province. Behavior maps of facility level were drawn based on specific times. The findings and interpretation discuss on: (1) the usage pattern taking place in the community facilities that demonstrate the time and spatial preferences for certain behaviors of rural elderly people, of which the facilities were divided into three kinds according to the results; (2) activities and the corresponding spatial details inside the public facilities, with the main finding of the elder people's reactions to the physical environments; (3) correspondence analysis was applied to the usage of certain community facilities by the elderly population and the characteristics of the space, and the result shows that places with higher degree of retention, accessibility and identifiability, and with fewer constraints are more favorable for encouraging the use, the variety of activities, and positive interactions among the senior group.