The impact of street characteristics on older pedestrians’ perceived safety in Shanghai, China

Abstract: This study explores how street characteristics affect perceived safety among older pedestrians in Shanghai, China, considering the influence of land-use patterns and urban sprawl. Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, 68 elderly urban residents participated in a survey using simulated streetscape images. Findings from ordinal logit regression and in-depth interviews reveal that factors such as street interface type, elevation differences, footpath width, paver directions, isolation facility type, and vehicle traffic significantly influence perceived safety. These insights can inform the creation of more inclusive and walkable cities.