Leung, M Y; Famakin, I O and Wang, C (2019) Developing an integrated indoor built environment: Quality of life model for the elderly in public and subsidized housing. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 26(7), pp. 1498-1517. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The growth rate of the aging population raises the demand for and challenges of public and subsidized (P&S) housing for the elderly. The decline in elderly ability increases their dependence on the quality of facilities provided by their residential apartment. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated indoor built environment–quality of life model for the elderly in P&S housing estates. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey, including scales for 4 quality of life (QoL) domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and overall QoL), and 13 indoor built environment (BE) components were identified. In total, 365 survey data were collected from the elderly in 18 political districts of Hong Kong, while reliability analysis, multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were adopted in the data analysis. Findings: Based on the congruence of results of these statistical analyses, it was revealed that: furniture and fixtures predict all the four QoL domains of the elderly; lighting and color induce social relationships; and overall QoL is predicted by distance and handrails. Originality/value: Several recommendations were made in accordance with the research results, such as review minimum spacing requirements to provide walking distance for elderly physical activity, investigate the micro-climate for appropriate building orientation, consider the changing body size of the elderly for supply of furniture, use warm colors with high levels of illumination, and so on.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | architecture; built environment; design management; elderly; facilities; international practice; public and subsidized housing; quality of life; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | data analysis, housing estate, quality of life, structural equation modelling, survey, methodology, design management, physical activity, questionnaire, multiple regression analysis, international practice, psychological health, housing, Hong Kong, elderly, reliability analysis, statistical analysis, built environment, ageing population |
| Subjects: | statistical analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, health conditions and diseases, demography, design process, Geography, research methods, public and environmental health, economic development, data analysis and analytics, data science, health behaviours and lifestyles, reliability engineering, strategic management, construction type, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Urban Studies, Design Practice, International Construction, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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