Ageing in Suburban Neighbourhoods: Planning, Densities and Place Assessment

Ioannou, Byron · 2019 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.17645/up.v4i2.1863

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study investigates how older adults in Nicosia, Cyprus, perceive and evaluate their residential neighborhoods, specifically examining the relationship between these assessments and the spatial characteristics of suburban versus central areas. The research is motivated by Cyprus’s extensive urban sprawl, low-density development, and high car dependency, which contrast with international narratives of sustainable, dense urban living. The primary objective is to determine if the physical profile of a neighborhood—such as density, layout, and distance from the city center—correlates with the satisfaction and place assessment of residents over the age of 65. The methodology employs a comparative case study of five residential districts in Nicosia: two central areas (Agios Antonios and Agios Spyridonas) and three suburban areas (Pallouriotissa, Aglantzia, and Kallithea). These districts were selected to represent varying densities, development phases, and spatial typologies. Data collection involved twenty-five in-depth qualitative interviews with older adults (aged 65–80), five from each district. The study utilized the Place Standard (PS), a framework assessing fourteen aspects of place quality, including mobility, public transport, facilities, social contact, safety, and natural space. Participants rated each aspect on a scale of 1 to 7. The sample focused on Cypriot-origin homeowners and car drivers to reflect the predominant demographic in these areas. The results reveal that older adults’ assessments of their neighborhoods vary significantly based on the district’s spatial nature. Contrary to expectations that denser areas would offer better walkability, central districts received lower scores for "moving around" due to narrow pedestrian spaces, illegal parking, and high traffic volumes. Suburban areas scored higher for walking and cycling due to lower traffic and wider streets, despite their low density. Public transport was rated poorly across all districts, reflecting its minimal usage (<3%) and the participants' reliance on private cars. Notably, despite the infrastructural weaknesses of low-density suburbs—such as limited amenities and poor connectivity—participants expressed a clear preference for suburban low-density areas. This preference is attributed to factors like lower traffic, perceived safety, and the cultural value of single-family homes, which support strong family bonds and "ageing in place." The study concludes that density, layout, and distance from the city center are critical determinants of how older adults evaluate their living environments. The findings challenge the assumption that high-density urban centers are inherently more suitable for ageing populations, highlighting instead the importance of local spatial conditions and cultural contexts. The research underscores the need for urban planning in Cyprus to address the specific needs of ageing populations in low-density, car-dependent suburbs, particularly regarding accessibility and social infrastructure, while acknowledging the strong attachment residents have to their suburban lifestyles.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• urban rural setting