An observational study of older adults' activities in urban public spaces

Posted by on 22 May 2026

Younes SR, Marques B, McIntosh J. 2026. An observational study of older adults' activities in urban public spaces. Local Environment doi: 10.1080/13549839.2026.2669763

Abstract

The proportion of individuals aged 65 and over is rising globally. including in Aotearoa New Zealand, where this age group is projected to exceed 20% of the population by 2030. A growing body of research highlights the importance of outdoor environments in supporting older adults’ well-being and social participation. However, few studies in New Zealand have examined how older people actually use public spaces. This paper presents a systematic observational study of older adults’ activities across three public spaces in Wellington’s city centre and an inner suburb. Drawing on behavioural mapping methods informed by ethnographic traditions of urban observation, the research documents how older adults engage with public environments and how contextual factors shape their use. The findings reveal that older adults spend more time in areas with abundant seating and peripheral safety, with activity patterns varying across spatial and cultural contexts. While over 90% of older adults observed in central city sites moved independently, those in suburban contexts showed higher mobility aid usage, indicating differing accessibility needs. The study contributes to understanding the relationship between ageing, mobility, and spatial design, offering insights for age-friendly and inclusive urban environments