Abstract:

Abstract The population has been ageing dramatically since 1950s. Therefore addressing age-friendliness has become an important approach in every country. Since a significant proportion of the global population lives in urban areas, it is necessary to highlight the importance of designing neighbourhoods to meet the needs of older adults. This study reveals the relationship between the urban environment and the daily routines of elderly people, differentiated in terms of income level. The study addresses not only the fundamental aspects of neighbourhood design in relation to ageing in place but also how income level affects the ability to be an active citizen in the community. This research used in-depth interviews to compare the experiences of older adults (aged over 70) living in Fatih and Nisantası, two neighbourhoods of Istanbul, Turkey, which are divergent in terms of both income level and urban design features. The findings reveal that living in an neighbourhood that does not support basic needs, such as green open space, housing, social activities, may lead older adults to isolate themselves from community. On the other hand, being able to access urban facilities easily and having a higher income level or financially independency increases older people’s engagement in paid leisure activities, engagement to the city and level of sociability. This paper delivers that the ability to be active in later life is considerably influenced by both living environment and income. Also, enhancing the physical infrastructure of poorer neighbourhoods may have a proportionally greater impact on older people’s wellbeing.

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