Factors Enhancing Age-Friendly Walkability Through Cultural Heritage Tourism: A Case Study of Nakhon Ratchasima Old Town, Thailand

Abstract

The demographic transition to an aging society in the 21st century has necessitated the development of age-friendly walkable cities, particularly in Thailand, which became a fully aged society in 2022 with 20% of its population aged 60 and above, with projections indicating continuous growth. However, previous research has lacked in-depth studies on factors promoting walking in historic urban areas from the perspective of elderly tourists, especially within the context of heritage cities where infrastructure improvement constraints exist. Through a case study of the old town district of Nakhon Ratchasima, an area rich in cultural heritage with a dense elderly population comprising 32% of the local demographic, this study aims to examine factors and relationships between amenities and elderly satisfaction regarding walkable city development, and to propose appropriate walking route development guidelines for elderly residents in the old town area of Nakhon Ratchasima. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, comprising data collection through questionnaires administered to elderly general tourists and elderly community members in the old town area of Nakhon Ratchasima, aged 60-75 years and above with good health status, totaling 100 respondents. The questionnaires assessed factors promoting walking and satisfaction levels with various amenities, complemented by field observations to document the physical characteristics of the area and usage behaviors. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The research findings revealed that the optimal walking exercise distance for most elderly individuals ranges from 500-1,000 meters. Critical factors promoting walkable cities for the elderly comprised appropriate infrastructure, safety, and essential amenities. Factor analysis demonstrated that amenities influence elderly satisfaction by 80%, particularly clean restrooms, with seating areas recommended every 200-500 meters, emphasizing shaded and secure locations. Based on these findings, this study proposes three concrete development approaches: improving signage systems for clarity and comprehensibility, increasing rest points and restrooms along frequently used routes, and developing mobile applications to supplement walking route information. The findings and recommendations from this study are not only beneficial for developing the old town area of Nakhon Ratchasima, but can also be applied as guidelines for developing other historic urban areas with similar contexts and challenges, to promote sustainable age-friendly urban development.