Age-Friendly City: A Qualitative Research on Kayaşehir

This study aims to evaluate whether the Kayaşehir region, located in Istanbul’s Başakşehir district, aligns with age friendly cities criteria and adequately addresses the needs of older adults. Using a phenomenological approach, this qualitative research employed purposeful sampling to understand th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Muhammet Akkaya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Istanbul University Press 2025-04-01
Series:Senectus
Subjects:
Online Access:https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/A4C88814E4F640B4BA3E8C04452EB111
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Summary:This study aims to evaluate whether the Kayaşehir region, located in Istanbul’s Başakşehir district, aligns with age friendly cities criteria and adequately addresses the needs of older adults. Using a phenomenological approach, this qualitative research employed purposeful sampling to understand the experiences of older adults, conducting semi-structured interviews with 13 individuals aged 65 and above, along with 4 local stakeholders. The findings indicate that the region generally meets the needs of older adults; however, its capacity to do so is beginning to decline. According to the results, Kayaşehir demonstrates the characteristics of an “age-friendly city” in terms of housing, buildings, transportation, green and open spaces, access to communication and information, and social participation opportunities. The region uniquely combines urban amenities with a natural environment, presenting itself both as part of the city and as an area on its periphery. However, the increasing demand for housing in the city threatens to diminish this rural aspect, reducing green spaces. Furthermore, the changing demographic composition of the area raises safety concerns among older residents, causing an altered perception of the region. Therefore, local authorities, policymakers, and practitioners have essential roles in responding to the needs of older adults, considering their demands, and monitoring global best practices to foster age-friendly cities.
ISSN:2980-1680
2980-1745