The mobility of elderly women of Puebla, Mexico : effects of walkability on daily trips in three neighbourhoods
As life expectancy increases in developing countries, many elderly people are faced with challenges concerning their mobility. In Mexico, where women see their mobility affected by gender violence in public spaces, elderly women find themselves vulnerable on two fronts: because of their age and their gender. In the city of Puebla, women make up a larger proportion of the elderly, but very little research has been done on their mobility habits. This Master’s thesis presents a case study on the daily mobility of elderly women living in three different neighbourhoods in Puebla. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with elderly women, as well as an environmental audit evaluating the walkability in these neighbourhoods. The interviews revealed that walking was not a preferred mode of travel, especially not in their own neighbourhoods. Their perception of the environment and their ability to appropriate it affected their capacity and willingness to leave their home. This combined with the walkability evaluation of the audit reveals the importance of having an environment that is perceived as welcoming, attractive and safe.
Genre Daily mobility Aging Elderly Gender Women Walkability Mexico