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Quality of Life of Elders in Urban Environments of Tropics: An Appraisal on Responsiveness of Built Environmental Attributes on Ageing

Part 2 Dissertation 2021
Nethmi Jayaratne
University of Moratuwa | Sri Lanka
Urbanization on the one hand, and ageing populations on the other are two key factors affecting cities of the current age. These two phenomena occur more commonly in low-middle income countries such as Sri Lanka where the majority of the aged live in rapidly urbanizing areas. Urban environments of tropics are challenged with unbearable levels of air pollution within poorly synthesised built fabrics. Ageing populations identify with low physical activity levels, poor nutrition and vulnerability to outbreaks of non- communicable diseases (NCDs), indicating low level of Quality of Life (QoL).

Existing studies confirm that quality of urban environments contribute to QoL of elders. Hence, understanding the responsiveness of the built environment to support a positive QoL for active ageing, (or lack thereof), is crucial to propose improvements. Currently the generic Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) assessments for elders are mostly geared towards developed countries, and focus on developing countries in tropics is low. Even the few available studies prioritize only medical factors. This study appraises responsiveness of built environment attributes for Quality of Life (QoL) of elders in urbanized tropical Sri Lanka, and proposes future recommendations.

Nethmi Jayaratne

Tutor(s)
Indrika Rajapaksha
2021
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