Built Environment and Elderly Safety Risks in Old Residential Communities Under Urban Renewal

Source abstract

With China’s rapidly aging population, enhancing the safety and age-friendliness of existing residential communities has become a pressing need in the context of urban renewal. Based on empirical analysis of 146 questionnaires collected from aging communities in Jiangsu Province, this study examines how built environment factors influence safety risks and perceived security among older adults. The results show that public seating (F3), pedestrian pathways (F11), staircases (F1), lighting (F5), landscaping (F10), and outdoor animals (F12) significantly affect both actual safety risks and perceived safety. Insufficient lighting, uneven pathways, unstable seating, and unsafe staircases are the primary causes of falls, collisions, and abrasions, while issues such as standing water, overgrown vegetation, and stray animals further reduce residents’ sense of security. The findings indicate that improving elderly safety relies more on environmental visibility, accessibility, and spatial maintenance than on compensating for individual physical limitations. Therefore, interventions such as enhancing lighting, maintaining pedestrian routes, providing stable seating, and strengthening community management can effectively reduce risks and enhance perceived security. This study offers empirical evidence to guide age-friendly community renewal and provides policy insights for promoting safe, inclusive, and sustainable development in aging cities.