Äldre fotgängare i stadens gångmiljö - en fallstudie om äldres upplevelser av gångmiljön i Malmö och hur kommunen planerar för äldre fotgängare

The aging population is increasing globally and this demographic challenge poses increased pressures on urban planning. Walking as a mode of transportation is used both independently and in combination with other transportation modes and has a great impact on people, particular elderly. The aim of this thesis is to investigate how Malmö city’s walking environment is experienced by the older pedestrians. The purpose is also to investigate how Malmö’s urban planning of the walking environment can limit, create opportunities or affect the older pedestrians. With the time geography approach and concept of accessibility, restrictions of the walking environment can be identified. Together with the theoretical framework, the empirical basis of interviews that investigate experiences and municipal planning documents can be applied. The results show that the walking environment and its function is essential for elderly. There are several barriers that limit the older pedestrians, but they adapt to the restrictions of the walking environment. The planning documents analysis shows that there is a desire to prioritize pedestrians in general, but it is unclear which guidelines show be followed. The elder pedestrians tend to be forgotten and Malmö’s municipal is lacking in preventive planning by not including the older population