Evidence-based Research for Architectural Design: Residential Site Plans and Older Adults Walking

The project entitled ‘Residential Site Plans and Older Adults Walking’ was completed and published in Volume 2 of the AIA Report on University Research. Since then, the researchers’ methodologies have been used in three environment-behavior projects to establish baseline information for architectural research, with an emphasis on design for health. The three projects are the ‘Nearby Outdoor Environmental Support of Older Adults’ Yard Activities, Neighborhood Walking and Independent Living in the Community’, the ‘Bittle Lane Project for Seniors’ and the ‘Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of Cancer Infusion Treatment Bays.’ Population groups participating in these projects include community-dwelling older adults and inpatients in healthcare facilities. Environments examined in these projects range from indoor spaces to nearby outdoor settings at the site level and at the neighborhood level. The methodologies applied to collect research data include questionnaire surveys, interviews, on-site observations, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).