Planning, Aging, and Loneliness: Reviewing Evidence About Built Environment Effects

Large numbers of people in many countries report being lonely with rates highest among the very old. Does the built environment affect loneliness among older people and if so, how? Using a scoping review, we examined associations between loneliness and built environments at the block, neighborhood,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of planning literature Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 28 - 48
Main Authors Lyu, Yingying, Forsyth, Ann
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2022
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects
Aging
Built environment
Environmental aspects
Environmental effects
Housing
Loneliness
Neighborhoods
Older people
Transportation
Urban environments
Urban research
Very old
Walking
built environment
housing
urbanicity
older people
loneliness
aging
neighborhood
urban planning
transportation
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Summary:Large numbers of people in many countries report being lonely with rates highest among the very old. Does the built environment affect loneliness among older people and if so, how? Using a scoping review, we examined associations between loneliness and built environments at the block, neighborhood, and city scales. The (1) neighborhood environment has received most attention. Research has also examined (2) urban contexts, (3) housing, and (4) transportation access. Findings are mixed with the stronger evidence that local resources, walkability, overall environment quality, housing options, and nearby transportation alternatives can help combat loneliness.
ISSN:0885-4122
1552-6593
DOI:10.1177/08854122211035131