Assessing the livability of urban spaces from the perspective of the elderly using structural equation modeling (PLS), (Case Study: Babol)

Aging is a stage of life that how to spend it is of special importance. Aging in Iran, which is caused by the decrease in the birth rate and medical advances, is considered a new phenomenon. The current research seeks to evaluate the current situation of the livability of Babol city with the aim of prioritizing the main components of livability from the perspective of the elderly. The method of the current research is descriptive-analytical and based on first-hand data collected through documentary and survey methods using a questionnaire. The collected data were processed using SPSS and Smart Pls software. The current situation has been analyzed using the one-sample t-test and the relationships between dimensions and livability indices have been analyzed using structural equation modeling with the partial least squares (PLS) method. The general results indicate that in the current situation, all aspects of Babil city's livability were lower than the average. The results of the model also showed that all the components have a positive and significant effect on the current situation, but the biggest effect is the urban health component, which can be called as the driver of the livability of the city of Babol. The environmental component has had the least effect on the current situation of Babil city's livability.