Residential Location and Trip making Behaviour of the Elderly in a Developing Country, Nigeria: Towards an Inclusive and Equitable Society

As the global population ages, both developed and developing nations face profound challenges in adapting their healthcare, social systems, and policies to accommodate this demographic shift. Based on this, our research delved into the travel behavior of the elderly in Akure. In selecting respondents for sampling, registered buildings in the study area were identified and 5% of 698, 1256 and 1972 registered buildings in the core, transition and periphery were sampled respectively. Systematic random sampling was thus adopted in selecting 1 out of every 20th building for survey. Hence, a total of 197 respondents across the different residential zones were selected. The findings revealed notable variations in demographic factors and travel patterns among respondents in these zones. Interestingly, elderly individuals residing in high and medium-density residential areas exhibited fewer travel activities compared to those in low-density residential areas. Notably, the well-organized and planned design of neighborhoods in low-density areas had a positive impact on the mobility of the elderly population, highlighting the significance of urban planning in fostering mobility and inclusivity for senior citizens.