Problems of accessibility of public space and social isolation of older people with disabilities in Hermosillo, Mexico

Authors

  • María Trinidad García-Valdez Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua
  • Diego Sánchez-González Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
  • Rosario Román-Pérez Centro de Investigación para la Alimentación y el Desarrollo A.C.
  • Elisa Pozo-Menendez Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Keywords:

older adults, disability, social isolation, accessibility, public space

Abstract

The study examines the association between problems of accessibility of public space and the social isolation of older people with disabilities. The methodology is based on a multivariate statistical analysis (binary logistic regression, main components, cluster) of the data from a survey of 381 older adults with disabilities and an environmental audit of street segments in the downtown of Hermosillo, Mexico. A public space accessibility scale is used to evaluate the indicators of functionality, comfort, safety and destination. The results indicated that the risk of social isolation is associated with low functional capacity, cardiovascular diseases, psychological problems, less mobility outside the home, few social networks, and accessibility problems of public space. In neighborhoods with a high risk of social isolation, there were greater problems of perceived accessibility (poor condition of streets and sidewalks, lighting, insecurity) and objective accessibility (degree of accessibility, functionality and destination) in public space, and lower functional capacity. Modifications to the environmental characteristics that determine the accessibility of public space could redefine behavior and prevent social isolation of older adults with disabilities, promoting age-friendly cities and communities to the active and healthy ageing.

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Author Biographies

María Trinidad García-Valdez, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua

María Trinidad García-Valdez, PhD in Regional Development from the Center for Research in Food and Development A.C., and associate professor of regional development at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua (Mexico). She has been a visiting professor at Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain). She has participated as research in research projects of aging, disability, and urbanization. Research lines: aging, disability, environmental adaptation; urban environments; public space; social exclusion; and environmental gerontology. Dialnet: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/autor?codigo=4675952 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8621-3685

Diego Sánchez-González, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia

Diego Sánchez-González, is PhD in Geography and a Master in Social Gerontology from the University of Granada, and Professor of Human Geography in the Department of Geography of the National University of Distance Education (UNED). Previously, he has been a full professor at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL), and visiting professor at various Spanish and Mexican universities. Also, he has been a researcher for the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID). He, in turn, has participated in the direction of 15 PhD theses.

His scientific production focuses on environmental gerontology-geography of aging, in space, environment, health and quality of life of the elderly; age-friendly cities and communities; service planning; active and healthy aging; disability and dependency; and vulnerability and climate change.

He has directed and evaluated research projects in Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Israel, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Uruguay. Also, he has been an advisor to state governments on aging, housing, urban planning and climate change. Currently, he is a member of editorial boards and an evaluator of international scientific journals. In turn, he has obtained a National Research Award and various national and international recognitions.

More information:

UNED: http://portal.uned.es/portal/page?_pageid=93,70864024&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4174-4546

Rosario Román-Pérez, Centro de Investigación para la Alimentación y el Desarrollo A.C.

Rosario Román-Pérez, PhD in Social Sciences from El Colegio de Michoacán, and professor at the Center for Research in Food and Development, A.C. (CIAD) (Mexico). She is a member of the System National Investigators (CONACYT) (Mexico). She has participated as research in research projects of aging, disability, and urbanization. Research lines: health, gender and education. Dialnet: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/autor?codigo=2004974 ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2337-8917

Elisa Pozo-Menendez, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Elisa Pozo-Menendez, architect and urban planner - healthy design for aging; MSc Bioclimatic architecture in a sustainable environment from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain); MSc in Villes Durables of Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallee (France); and PhD student in environment health at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain). She has participated as research in research projects of aging, health, and urbanization. Research lines: healthy design for aging, disability, dependence, mobility, environmental adaptation; urban environments; public space. Dialnet: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/autor?codigo=4848842 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5420-7849. 

Published

2023-03-23

How to Cite

García-Valdez, M. T. ., Sánchez-González, D., Román-Pérez, R., & Pozo-Menendez, E. . (2023). Problems of accessibility of public space and social isolation of older people with disabilities in Hermosillo, Mexico. Revista De Geografía Norte Grande, (85). Retrieved from https://revistanortegrande.uc.cl/index.php/RGNG/article/view/39137

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