Explaining the Cognitive Aspects of Elderly's Space Perception in Architecture based on Age, Gender and Length of Residence

Space perception is the first step towards recognizing and communicating with the environment. Despite similar perception systems in human beings, the perception of surroundings is different from person to person. Therefore, different perceptions of similar objective spaces can result from several factors, and only one influential factor cannot determine the perceived subject. This study seeks to identify cognitive aspects of different areas of the elderly perception in architecture and determine the cognitive characteristics of independent elderly residents in Shahrak-e-Gharb of Tehran to obtain primary data and their perceptual, cognitive characteristics using cognitive maps. This is a theoretical-applied study with a qualitative-quantitative method. The library method was used for data collection, field observation to measure the status quo, and interview and cognitive maps technique to collect research data. The sample size of 38 persons was calculated using the Cochran formula. According to the findings, the average perceived cognitive paths of the men group were higher than that of women, and the average perceived cognitive places of the women group were higher than that of men. Aging and length of residence do not affect the number of perceived elements. As aging occurs, the number of perceived places decreases, and the number of perceived paths increases. Most recognized spaces in cognitive maps represent a place for people's memories. So, cognitive spaces should be improved before the cognitive abilities of the elderly decline.