SECURITY MEANS AGE-FRIENDLINESS. ANALYSIS OF OLDER PEOPLE’S NEEDS REGARDING THE SAFE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OPEN RESIDENTIAL SPACES. A CASE STUDY OF POLAND, THE EU MEMBER COUNTRY
SECURITY MEANS AGE-FRIENDLINESS. ANALYSIS OF OLDER PEOPLE’S NEEDS REGARDING THE SAFE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OPEN RESIDENTIAL SPACES. A CASE STUDY OF POLAND, THE EU MEMBER COUNTRY

Summary/Abstract: Motives: In the era of ageing population and threats arising from economic and geopoliticalcircumstances there is a need to adapt housing estates to different social groups, especially olderpersons as a particularly vulnerable group.Aim: The research objective of the article was to study the relevance of selected elementsof infrastructure in open residential spaces regarding the safety in the eyes of older people in the faceof various threats, such as pandemics and military conflicts.Methods: A questionnaire was developed to investigate the level of significance of selected elementsof infrastructure based on in-depth literature research. The questionnaire survey was conducted twiceon two random population samples (October 2021 and March/April 2022) in five chosen Polish cities(capitals of voivodeships).Results: Changes in the perceived importance of factors associated with residential safety wereidentified in the face of two types of threats. Urban planning solutions that contribute to a senseof security were identified in different gender and age groups. Public open spaces in cities should beaccessible, user-friendly, and safe; they should promote social interactions with other residents, beaesthetically appealing, and encourage social activation.

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