Facilities Management of Recreation Open Space for Older People
針對老年人的康樂休憩空間設施管理
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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Detail(s)
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| Award date | 5 Nov 2024 |
Link(s)
| Permanent Link | https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/theses/theses(d3f3c6d2-1181-4f0e-bbe2-25926b0e950a).html |
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| Other link(s) | Links |
Abstract
Hong Kong is experiencing a rapid aging trend, with significant implications for its population structure and social systems. By 2046, the proportion of older individuals in Hong Kong is projected to double from 19.6% in 2021 to 36%, making it one of the fastest-aging economies in the world. To promote a fulfilling and enjoyable aging experience, the concept of "aging in place" has gained popularity, with over 95% of older residents living within their communities as of 2021. However, due to Hong Kong's high population density, many older people lack sufficient space for activities in their homes. Therefore, they tend to go to recreational open spaces (ROSs, including regional open spaces, district open spaces, and local open spaces) for exercise, leisure, and social activities. Viewing natural elements, other people, and colorful artificial elements in ROSs is expected to benefit older people's quality of life (QoL) by encouraging physical activities, releasing stress, initiating social interaction, or stimulating the brain. Nevertheless, aging can lead to declines in both physical and psychological health and often results in a reduced social network. Currently, few ROSs in Hong Kong are specially designed to accommodate the health needs of older people. The inappropriate facility management (FM) of ROSs causes risks for older people, like getting lost, falling, and getting injured, while good FM may improve older people’s health by giving appropriate visual stimuli. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationships between the FM, viewing behavior (VB), and the QoL of older people by establishing a comprehensive FM-VB-QoL model.
Based on the extensive literature review, a conceptual FM-VB-QoL model was proposed. The conceptual model hypothesized a direct effect of FM (i.e., space management, building services, and supporting facilities) on QoL (i.e., physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment) in older people. The model also suggests indirect relationships, where FM affects QoL by affecting VB (i.e., viewing natural elements, viewing people and viewing artificial elements). Multiple research methods, including focus groups, a questionnaire survey, and case studies, were applied in this study.
In the focus group study, 33 older people aged 60 and above living in Hong Kong’s communities for more than one year were invited. The participants were divided into seven groups: two groups for older people with good mobility from high-population-density areas, two groups for older people with good mobility from low-population-density areas, two groups for older people with poor mobility from high-population-density areas, and one group for older people from low-density population areas with poor mobility. The latter group was formed due to the smaller number of older visitors from low-density areas in ROS. There were 3-6 older people in each group. Five questions were discussed with a semi-structured framework in each group: 1) activities they usually do in ROSs; 2) viewing behavior in ROSs; 3) essential facilities in ROSs; 4) special needs for these facilities; and 5) QoL facets that may be influenced in ROSs. Each group lasted between one hour and two and a half hours. The focus groups identified nine space management factors (whole site, plants, pathway, activity space, children’s playground, water feature, shelter structure, surrounding buildings, and small buildings), eight supporting facility factors (seats, fitness facilities, signages, handrails, steps, barrier-free facilities, sculpture and artwork, floor), and four building services factors (lamp, water fountain) that could have relationships with the three VB factors (viewing nature, people and artificial elements) and four QoL domains (physical and psychological health, social relationships and environment). Based on the focus group's study discussion, a refined conceptual model was developed.
A questionnaire survey was conducted based on the literature review and focus group results. Older people aged 60 and above without medium or severe dementia were invited to complete the questionnaire. To minimize bias, both random selection and snowball sampling methods were applied. A total of 216 valid questionnaires were collected from the initially selected 232 older people, accounting for a validity rate of 93.10%. Factor analysis, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and partial least squares structural equation modeling were used to analyze the quantitative data. The results revealed that only nine FM factors are significantly related to the VB. The three VB factors are only related to physical and psychological health. For the direct relationships between FM and QoL, 13 FM factors are associated with the QoL of older people. Among them, the activity space has the most influence on QoL.
Case studies were conducted to confirm the results of focus groups and questionnaire surveys. One regional open space, one district open space, and one local open space were selected in the case study. The case studies took place during the autumn and winter months, specifically in November and February, respectively. Each open space was measured and observed on two weekdays and two weekends in each season. During the case study, the FM conditions were documented through plan drawings and photographs. At the same time, the size, temperature, light, and noise level were also measured by sensors. Behavioral mapping was applied to record the behaviors of older visitors. The results indicated that neighborhood socialization is more likely to occur in local open spaces, while older people hardly communicate with strangers in regional and district open spaces. Doing physical activities is the most important way for older people to use local and district open spaces. However, the fitness facilities of the three observed ROSs were all seriously inadequate. Compared with the area of green space, the diversity of plant species, aesthetics, attraction to butterflies and birds, shade, and maintenance degree are more likely to promote QoL of older people by promoting VB. For older people who use ROS at night, open and unobstructed space is more important than bright lights.
Based on the results of the focus group, questionnaire survey, and case study, the final integrated FM-VB-QoL model in ROSs was built. The final model showed that the whole site positively predicts the personal relationship. Plants increase physical pain and discomfort and, at the same time, improve thinking by encouraging the viewing of nature. Pathways lead to negative feelings by increasing the viewing of people. Activity spaces directly benefit positive feelings and thinking, as well as increasing the opportunity to view artificial elements. Water features directly and indirectly enhance thinking. They also enhance the physical environment. Surrounding buildings increase the opportunities for recreation and viewing artificial elements. Seats increase thinking abilities directly and indirectly. Good trash bins are good for physical environments, while sound facilities decrease negative feelings. Viewing nature has good effects on thinking, and viewing people causes negative feelings. Practical recommendations, such as diverse native plants, simple space shapes, multi-function activity spaces, static water features with animals and aquatic plants, and larger artificial shelters, were suggested. This study explored the effects of FM on VB and QoL of older people with a variety of methods, including focus groups, questionnaires, and on-site measurement and observation observations. However, the collection of objective data on VB was lacking in this study. Future studies should objectively measure VB in older adults using an eye tracker.
Based on the extensive literature review, a conceptual FM-VB-QoL model was proposed. The conceptual model hypothesized a direct effect of FM (i.e., space management, building services, and supporting facilities) on QoL (i.e., physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment) in older people. The model also suggests indirect relationships, where FM affects QoL by affecting VB (i.e., viewing natural elements, viewing people and viewing artificial elements). Multiple research methods, including focus groups, a questionnaire survey, and case studies, were applied in this study.
In the focus group study, 33 older people aged 60 and above living in Hong Kong’s communities for more than one year were invited. The participants were divided into seven groups: two groups for older people with good mobility from high-population-density areas, two groups for older people with good mobility from low-population-density areas, two groups for older people with poor mobility from high-population-density areas, and one group for older people from low-density population areas with poor mobility. The latter group was formed due to the smaller number of older visitors from low-density areas in ROS. There were 3-6 older people in each group. Five questions were discussed with a semi-structured framework in each group: 1) activities they usually do in ROSs; 2) viewing behavior in ROSs; 3) essential facilities in ROSs; 4) special needs for these facilities; and 5) QoL facets that may be influenced in ROSs. Each group lasted between one hour and two and a half hours. The focus groups identified nine space management factors (whole site, plants, pathway, activity space, children’s playground, water feature, shelter structure, surrounding buildings, and small buildings), eight supporting facility factors (seats, fitness facilities, signages, handrails, steps, barrier-free facilities, sculpture and artwork, floor), and four building services factors (lamp, water fountain) that could have relationships with the three VB factors (viewing nature, people and artificial elements) and four QoL domains (physical and psychological health, social relationships and environment). Based on the focus group's study discussion, a refined conceptual model was developed.
A questionnaire survey was conducted based on the literature review and focus group results. Older people aged 60 and above without medium or severe dementia were invited to complete the questionnaire. To minimize bias, both random selection and snowball sampling methods were applied. A total of 216 valid questionnaires were collected from the initially selected 232 older people, accounting for a validity rate of 93.10%. Factor analysis, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and partial least squares structural equation modeling were used to analyze the quantitative data. The results revealed that only nine FM factors are significantly related to the VB. The three VB factors are only related to physical and psychological health. For the direct relationships between FM and QoL, 13 FM factors are associated with the QoL of older people. Among them, the activity space has the most influence on QoL.
Case studies were conducted to confirm the results of focus groups and questionnaire surveys. One regional open space, one district open space, and one local open space were selected in the case study. The case studies took place during the autumn and winter months, specifically in November and February, respectively. Each open space was measured and observed on two weekdays and two weekends in each season. During the case study, the FM conditions were documented through plan drawings and photographs. At the same time, the size, temperature, light, and noise level were also measured by sensors. Behavioral mapping was applied to record the behaviors of older visitors. The results indicated that neighborhood socialization is more likely to occur in local open spaces, while older people hardly communicate with strangers in regional and district open spaces. Doing physical activities is the most important way for older people to use local and district open spaces. However, the fitness facilities of the three observed ROSs were all seriously inadequate. Compared with the area of green space, the diversity of plant species, aesthetics, attraction to butterflies and birds, shade, and maintenance degree are more likely to promote QoL of older people by promoting VB. For older people who use ROS at night, open and unobstructed space is more important than bright lights.
Based on the results of the focus group, questionnaire survey, and case study, the final integrated FM-VB-QoL model in ROSs was built. The final model showed that the whole site positively predicts the personal relationship. Plants increase physical pain and discomfort and, at the same time, improve thinking by encouraging the viewing of nature. Pathways lead to negative feelings by increasing the viewing of people. Activity spaces directly benefit positive feelings and thinking, as well as increasing the opportunity to view artificial elements. Water features directly and indirectly enhance thinking. They also enhance the physical environment. Surrounding buildings increase the opportunities for recreation and viewing artificial elements. Seats increase thinking abilities directly and indirectly. Good trash bins are good for physical environments, while sound facilities decrease negative feelings. Viewing nature has good effects on thinking, and viewing people causes negative feelings. Practical recommendations, such as diverse native plants, simple space shapes, multi-function activity spaces, static water features with animals and aquatic plants, and larger artificial shelters, were suggested. This study explored the effects of FM on VB and QoL of older people with a variety of methods, including focus groups, questionnaires, and on-site measurement and observation observations. However, the collection of objective data on VB was lacking in this study. Future studies should objectively measure VB in older adults using an eye tracker.
