Walking in the Neighborhood: An Experience with Older Adults

Celina Britto Correa (Federal University of Pelotas)

Today more than ever we talk about walking. Walkability has become a common term and has been incorporated into mobility plans. Contemporary urban planning turns its eyes to the cities of the past and identifies as pleasant and adequate a city that offers services and facilities within a radius of 400 yards that allows walking dislocations and independence in relation to other means of transportation. People walk to feel good, walk as leisure, walk going to their daily activities, walk by need when faced with social vulnerability, and do not have money to use public transportation. On the other hand, the older adults are vulnerable to the effects of the environment, and it is important that cities and neighborhoods are studied not only as a place of varied activities, but also as a space of reference and identity that allow a sense of place. Therefore, this study aims to know i) how the elderly incorporates the walks in their daily life; ii) which factors determine the choice for one or another route; and iii) what the meaning of the walks to the sense of place they experience. For this, the walking interview method was used. In this qualitative method, the researchers followed the interviewees by a walk through their neighborhood, by rotes chosen by them. Seven elderly people were interviewed in each of the three neighborhoods of different social classes studied in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. Audio records were made of the comments made by the elderly during their walks, as well as photographic records of important aspects pointed out during the tour. As a conclusion, facts and meanings related to accessibility, green areas, security, facilities, relations and memories that impacted the experience of walking with the elderly are presented.