As population aging rapidly progresses worldwide, interest in aging-friendly cities is increasing. Friendly cities in order to prepare for the aging population, and is paying attention to the plan to create a neighborhood environment that supports the daily life of the elderly. Especially, the elderly friendly city should promote the external activities of the elderly and create a neighborhood environment that can enhance the quality of life.
The purpose of this study is to quantitatively analyze the level of gait activity of the elderly and to analyze empirically the characteristics of the neighborhood environment that affects the quality of life and the walking activity of the elderly. We want to present the direction.
In particular, we examined the previous theories and previous researches on the walking activities and the quality of life of the elderly, and then we set up the research problem. Based on this, we analyzed the characteristics of the neighborhood environment influencing the elderly ''s walking activities and quality of life. Specifically, the walking behaviors of elderly people were measured by GPS and walking records. We then analyzed quantitative and qualitative evaluations of streets and public spaces with a high frequency of use by the elderly, and analyzed the characteristics of the neighbors ''environment that affected the elderly'' s walking activities. In addition, observation was conducted to analyze the physical characteristics of elderly people ''s external activities, focusing on the elderly people'' s walking and staying activities. Finally, a survey was carried out to analyze the characteristics of the neighborhood environment affecting the quality of life of elderly people. The main results of the study are summarized as follows.
First, as a result of analyzing the elderly people ''s walking activity using GPS, the elderly people walked an average of 7769m per week and walked an average of 1110m per day. In order to analyze the street and public space where the elderly ''s walking activities were concentrated, we measured the cumulative frequency of elderly people'' s passing for one week. As a result, the characteristics of street and public space, where elderly people walk a lot, are concentrated in commercial facilities and public spaces are created to promote the social activities of the elderly. In addition, it was shown that the connectivity, continuity, and convenience of the sidewalk were high, thus promoting the walking activity of the elderly.
Second, as a result of analyzing the horizontal and public spaces in which the elderly people stay, it is shown that elderly people stay in the neighborhood for a long time if the elderly can sit or gather in the room. In addition, parks and open spaces were analyzed as neighbors'' environmental factors influencing the health status of the elderly as they provide the environment for the elderly to exercise, as well as being used as a place where the elderly meet with their neighbors for social activities.
Third, as a result of analyzing the horizontal and public spaces with high frequency of use by the elderly and the low frequency of use, it is found that the facilities and spaces that cause walking in the street and public spaces have high accessibility, safety and convenience of walking, It is shown that the elderly are walking a lot when the space to facilitate is provided. And as a result of analyzing the horizontal and public spaces with high frequency of use by the elderly and the low frequency of use, it is found that the facilities and spaces that cause walking in the street and public spaces have high accessibility, safety and convenience of walking, It is shown that the elderly are walking a lot when the space to facilitate is provided.
Fourth, as a result of analyzing the characteristics of the neighborhood environment affecting the elderly ''s walking activity and the quality of life, the neighborhood environmental factors affecting the elderly'' s walking distance include crime safety, quality of walking environment, convenience of using health and welfare facilities, , Parks and open spaces. The results showed that the quality of walking environment, convenience of using health and welfare facility, quality of park and open space were found to be the factors affecting the elderly ''s health level. Also, the analysis of the social network of the elderly shows that the quality of the walking environment, the quality of the park and the open space are influential.
Through this study, it can be helpful to understand the characteristics of the neighborhood environment influencing the walking activity and the quality of life of the elderly, so that it can help the planning of the neighborhood - friendly neighborhood environment.