Factors Influencing Revitalization of Senior Citizen Centers in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

초록

This study explores the relationship between the number of users in senior citizens’ centers, the neighboring walking environment, spatial differences in the number of users in senior citizens’ centers, and sociodemographic factors in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. This study considers the number of users as the level of revitalization to the leisure welfare facilities for elderly persons. This study assumes that the better the walking environment for the elderly, the greater the number of users per senior citizens’ center. This study also assumes differences in regional demand and demographics for the use of senior citizens’ centers. The walking environment was measured by variables such as the number of CCTV and security lights, slope, area of green fields, urban parks, pedestrian roads, and major roads within 400m of the centers. In addition, this study used Getis–Ord Gi* to recognize the spatial difference in the number of users in senior citizens’ centers. Sociodemographic variables such as the gender ratio, percentage of single-person households, and relative education levels of elderly persons were also considered. This study used ordinary least squared (OLS) regression as the statistical model. The results show that CCTV, the slope, the area of major roads, and spatially clustered areas in the number of users are statistically significant factors at p<0.05. In the neighboring walkable environment, CCTV, steeper slope, and larger major roads are associated with fewer users of senior citizens’ centers. The study also shows that the demand for senior citizens’ centers is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, but no demographic factors are statistically significant. This study provides data to help identify suitable locations to revitalize senior citizens’ centers.

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