Urban and Rural Environments and Their Implications for Older Adults’ Adaptation to Heat Waves: A Systematic Review

Pablo De Gea Grela, Diego Sánchez-González () and Lorena Patricia Gallardo Peralta
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Pablo De Gea Grela: Faculty of Social Work, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain
Diego Sánchez-González: Department of Geography, National Distance Education University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Lorena Patricia Gallardo Peralta: Department of Social Work and Social Services, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-29

Abstract: The aim of this study is to synthesise the scientific evidence on the implications of urban and rural environments on older adults’ adaptation strategies to heatwaves. Methods: The methodology follows PRISMA guidelines, which involves a systematic search of the scientific literature in selected electronic databases, including Web of Science and Scopus, to assist in the selection, identification and retention of studies. Results: The search identified 4991 potentially eligible articles, of which 17 met the criteria, mainly from developed countries, emphasising a multidisciplinary approach and moderate to low quality. Urban and rural environments influence older adults’ adaptation strategies to heatwaves through the adequacy of the physical environment of the dwelling (design, materials, equipment) and the neighbourhood (green spaces, residential density, land use), the social environment (support network and type of assistance) and risk management (protective measures and heat warning systems). At the individual level, adaptation to heatwaves is determined by age, gender, health status, socio-economic status and social isolation. Discussion and conclusions: Differences in perceptions of heat adaptation were found according to location, typology and environmental characteristics, especially in developing countries. The findings contribute to promoting the adoption of protective measures, the design of heat warning systems, and the planning of friendly and resilient cities and rural communities to support the adaptation of an ageing society to the climate warming.

Keywords: urban and rural environments; older people; heatwaves; physical and social environment; vulnerability; adaptation; climate change; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:9:p:1378-:d:1465800

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