This research examines the impact of government policy initiatives, community engagement programs, and age-friendly urban design policies on the built environment, with a specific focus on the walkability of older adults. The walkability of older adults in the built environment is essential because it promotes physical activity, social connectedness, and independence, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life and supporting healthy aging. This study employs a quantitative approach and cross-sectional design with convenience sampling in Udupi district, one of the urbanizing districts in India. The sample includes 333 older adults from diverse sociodemographic backgrounds who actively use the built environment. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that community engagement programs are the strongest enabler of safety and security perceptions related to walkability. Safety and security positively correlate with increased physical activity level, increased socialization level, and improved quality of life in older adults. Security also mediates the relationship between community engagement programs and all three outcomes associated with walkability. It highlights priority urban design features such as strategic lighting, sheltered walkways, traffic calming measures, barrier-free access, rest areas, and inclusive design elements as critical components of adaptive urban spaces that promote safety, accessibility, and social inclusion for older adults.

Background This study investigates the mediating role of comfort (CMT), convenience (CNV), and aesthetics (AST) in the relationship between the enablers of an age-friendly built environment for walkability and outcomes such as increased physical activity level (IPL), increased socialization (ISL), and improved quality of life (IQL) in older adults. The research emphasizes the importance of creating age-friendly environments to support the well-being and quality of life of older adults, with implications for urban planners and policymakers to promote sustainable and inclusive design. Methods The research follows a positivist paradigm using a quantitative approach and survey strategy with a cross-sectional design. A sample of 333 older adults was selected using the convenience sampling technique, and data were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. Results Findings from hypothesis testing indicate that, among the enablers, age-friendly urban design policies are the most significant construct, positively impacting all three mediating variables. Aesthetics was found to have a significant positive effect on increased physical activity level and increased socialization, while comfort and convenience significantly influenced increased physical activity level and improved quality of life, respectively. Conclusion These results suggest implications for urban planners and policymakers to enhance the contribution of built environment for walkability toward increased physical activity level, increased socialization, and improved quality of life for older adults. The research offers valuable insights for academics and practitioners, emphasizing the importance of sustainable design while ensuring inclusivity to promote the well-being and quality of life of older adults.

As the global population ages, creating supportive environments for walking is a priority for public health and urban planning. While empirical studies are numerous, there is a lack of synthesized knowledge regarding the underlying theoretical constructs used to understand these environments. This systematic literature review examines the theoretical frameworks and conceptual models that define the relationship between the built environment and walking behaviors of older adults. Specifically, it explores the antecedents within these models that influence walkability. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted focusing on publications that present or utilize theoretical frameworks for older adult walkability. Papers were analyzed based on their research focus categorized into model development, testing, advancement, or integration and their contribution type to the field. The review identifies a range of theoretical approaches, examining dominant theoretical frameworks within the Built Environment for Walkability (BEW) and its social and policy extensions. Findings suggest that while many models are described as “holistic,” they vary significantly in how they weigh individual, social, and environmental factors. The analysis highlights a shift toward model integration as a means to address the multi-dimensional nature of aged-friendly environments. By focusing on theoretical antecedents rather than purely empirical outcomes, this review provides a roadmap for future research to refine existing models. It emphasizes the need for a more consistent definition of the socio-built environment to better support the mobility of older populations.

Background: This study explores how healthcare staff perceptions of their physical work environment influence their satisfaction. Methods: A qualitative research design involving semi-structured interviews was adopted. The study sample comprised ten healthcare staff, including both clinical and nonclinical employees, working in a healthcare facility. The participants represented a range of professional roles and work areas, allowing for diverse perspectives on the physical environment. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The interview transcripts were systematically coded, and recurring patterns and themes were identified through an iterative analytical process reflecting participants’ perceptions and experiences of the physical work environment. Results: The analysis revealed seven main themes: impact of spatial layout on workflow; need for relaxation and break spaces; connection to nature, furniture and comfort; influence of color on mood; ambient features and environmental control; and natural light and well-being. Conclusions: This study highlights the critical role of the healthcare physical environment in shaping employee satisfaction and offers practical recommendations for healthcare facility design, emphasizing the need for ergonomic workspaces, greenspaces, and safe workplaces. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how the physical environment can be optimized to support employees in healthcare settings.

Introduction: While there is a growing recognition of walkable neighbourhoods in promoting the health and well-being of older adults, there is limited evidence of a validated, multidimensional measurement scale tailored for Indian context that integrates policy antecedents, built environment attributes, and behavioural outcomes. This study aims to develop and pilot-validate such a scale for assessing neighbourhood walkability among older adults. Methods: A three-phase scale development process was adopted. First, an extensive review of 217 studies across multiple disciplines generated an initial pool of 95 items representing eleven constructs. Second, the instrument was refined through expert content validation involving multidisciplinary domain specialists. Third, a pilot study was conducted with 43 older adults (aged 60 years and above) in Udupi, India. The measurement model was assessed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), enabling systematic item reduction and construct validation. Results: The final 33-item scale comprises three policy-related antecedents, five walkability dimensions, and three outcome constructs related to physical activity, socialization, and quality of life. The scale demonstrates acceptable reliability and preliminary evidence of convergent and discriminant validity, consistent with pilot-stage validation. Discussion: The proposed scale offers a contextually relevant and structured tool for assessing walkability among older adults in Indian cities, with potential applications in research, planning, and policy evaluation. This study develops and pilot-validates an integrative measurement framework that links policy enablers, built environment attributes, and well-being outcomes within the Indian urban context.

Background This systematic literature review (SLR) explores how urban design influences walking access in the built environment for walking of older adults, summarizing existing studies. Examining various theories, it analyses themes like safety, security, comfort, convenience, aesthetics, governance, and policy frameworks. By critically reviewing the literature, it seeks to understand current research trends and suggest future directions. Methods The study employs an evidence-based systematic approach, following the standard procedure of SLR to identify relevant studies and extract information. Results It was found that five prominent theories dominated research literature: Active Aging Framework (AAF) (35.4%), Social-Ecological Model of Health Promotion (SEMHP) (25%), Community-Engaged Urban Design Theory (CEUDT) (18%), Neighbourhood Social Environment Theory (NSET) (11%), and the fifth Ecological Model of Aging (EMA) (8%). Empirical research dominated (37.5%), followed by grounded theory (20.8%), case study (18.8%), comparative study (12.5%), document analysis (8.3%), and analytical research (2.1%) in terms of the research type. The SLR revealed that most research uses empirical methods and focuses on applying existing theories. Conclusions It identifies opportunities for future research, suggesting areas for model integration, advancement, and application. Notably, it highlights the potential of combining the two most relevant theories for interventions promoting older adults’ health through walkable environments. This review can aid practitioners and researchers in identifying the theoretical underpinning of key factors for designing walkable cities that cater to older adults’ needs. A potential limitation is its focus on dominant theories, excluding others that might offer valuable insights.