Effects of Arcaded Streets on Facilitating Elderly People's Rainy Day Shopping Behavior

Abstract

This study examines the effects of roofs over shopping streets, or arcaded streets, on elderly people's shopping behavior on rainy days, through a questionnaire conducted at supermarkets on arcaded and non-arcaded shopping streets. Results showed that elderly people were more inclined to go out shopping in the rain to a supermarket on an arcaded, rather than non-arcaded, street. Other factors affecting the tendency to visit a supermarket on a rainy day were the respondent's shopping frequency, mode of transportation (on foot), and reason for choosing a store (proximity to home). The effect of an arcade was larger for people in their 50s and 60s than for people in their 70s or above. Although, recently, many arcades have become old and have been removed because of high maintenance costs, these results may provide support for retaining the arcades, particularly in consideration of increasing the attractiveness of city centers for elderly people.