@unpublished{theses_frw3860, title = {Older Adults Accessibility to the City: A Case Study about the Grote Markt in Groningen}, year = {2022}, author = {Dynamie S. van Gool}, abstract = {The municipality of Groningen has the goal to make an attractive and accessible city square out of the Grote Markt. They plan on adding extra green and blue spaces, removing the roads in favour of a uniform shared space for pedestrians and cyclists, and adding new places for leisure and play (Gemeente Groningen, 2022). This research project aims to determine whether or not these new plans make the Grote Markt more accessible to the older adults in Groningen. Accessibility is measured with the following elements; Information, public transport, cycling, and shared space and safety. These elements were derived from the theoretical framework built on research into mobility and wellbeing of older adults. The expectation was that older adults were relatively unaware of the exact design plans but might, on reflection, do find the new design to have accessibility obstacles. The results confirm that concerns are mostly centered around bicycle use. Having to use the underground parking spaces for bicycles is generally seen as impractical and having to share the same space between pedestrians an cyclists is considered unsafe. Aside from these concerns the interviewees do find the new design to be very inviting. Comparing the current accessibility with the perceived accessibility shows that the new Grote Markt is viewed as more accessible than the current Grote Markt for older adults living in Groningen.}, url = {https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/3860/} }