Evaluation and Measurement of the Livability Status in terms of Environmental Quality from the Perspective of the Elderly: the Case Study of Neighborhoods in Region 4 of Rasht City

Nowadays, cities have become the main centers of human life and work. However, this transformation comes with numerous challenges in social, economic, environmental, and managerial domains, and the continuation of this process may lead to a decrease in the quality of life and, consequently, a reduction in urban sustainability. The present study aims to evaluate and assess the status of urban sustainability in terms of environmental quality from the perspective of the elderly in the neighborhoods of Region 4 of Rasht city. This research is practical in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. The statistical population of the research consists of elderly people living in Region 4 of Rasht Municipality. The sample size in the aforementioned statistical population was estimated to be 400 people using Cochran's formula and with a high approximation. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data, and its validity was confirmed through content validity, and its reliability was obtained as 0.79 using Cronbach's alpha method. Descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. The results of the analysis indicate a significant difference in the level of sustainability among different neighborhoods, such that it can be said that sustainability in terms of environmental quality is only more desirable. Livability in terms of environmental quality in neighborhoods 1, 10, and 11 is more favorable than in other neighborhoods. A desirable sustainability level characterizes the study area's western and southwestern parts.The analysis of each dimension under study indicates that the best sustainability status in terms of environmental quality is attributed to the accessibility component.In contrast, the worst sustainability status is attributed to the pedestrian-oriented component.