Older Adults’ Preferences for Spatial Characteristics of Neighborhood Open Spaces Promoting Restorative Experiences
A Choice Experiment
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22248993 |
|---|---|
| Authors | A J J Grave (Eindhoven University of Technology, corresponding author), R P van Dongen (Urban Planning and Transportation, Eindhoven University of Technology), R P id_orcid van Dongen (Eindhoven University of Technology), M Mohammadi (0000-0003-0966-501X, HAN University of Applied Sciences) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-26 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-21 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Aging and Environment (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2689-2618 • E-ISSN: 2689-2626 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/26892618.2026.2684468 |
| OpenAlex | W7165487940 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 37 |
As society ages, neighborhood open spaces that offer restoration, reduce stress and attention fatigue, and thereby support older adults’ mental health become increasingly important. However, current research mainly focuses on young adults. Using a choice-based experiment (N = 301, Mage=75.5), we examined older adults’ preferences for eight design attributes. Distance from home proved significant, emphasizing the need for nearby restorative spaces. Preferences differed from patterns reported for younger adults: while greenery is valued across ages, openness, terraces and presence of others appear especially important for older adults’ restorative experiences. These findings inform age-inclusive restorative urban design
Preference · Place Attachment and Urban Studies · Urban and spatial planning · Urban Green Space and Health
Applied Choice Analysis
Statistical Methods for the Analysis of Discrete Choice Experiments
Restorative Qualities of Favorite Places
Choosing restorative environments across the lifespan
Aesthetic and Affective Response to Natural Environment
Environmental preference and restoration
Aging Well and the Environment
Pocket parks for people – A study of park design and use
Choice Modelling Approaches
Ecology and the aging process.
Nature and Health
The Influence of Urban Park Attributes on User Preferences
Effects of Environmental Features in Small Public Urban Green Spaces on Older Adults’ Mental Restoration
The Effects of Urban Natural Environments on Preference and Self-Reported Psychological Restoration of the Elderly
The Built Environment and Mental Health
Social needs of older people
Still not that bad for the grey city
Restorative urban environments for healthy cities
Three Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |