| Title |
Developing Architectural Planning Elements for Revitalizing Senior Welfare Centers |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.10.71 |
| Keywords |
Senior Welfare Center; Architectural Planning Elements; AHP; Priority Analysis; Weight Analysis |
| Abstract |
This study systematically prioritizes architectural planning elements for senior welfare centers in response to evolving user needs shaped by
rapid population aging and the entry of the baby boomer generation into old age. Based on a preceding Delphi study that identified 18 key
elements, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to evaluate their relative importance through structured pairwise comparisons. The
analysis revealed that health support, accessibility, mobility convenience, and safety emerged as the most critical priorities, underscoring the
importance of secure and health-promoting environments for elderly users. By contrast, elements such as comfort, sociability, and operational
systems received lower rankings, yet they were still recognized as meaningful complementary factors that contribute to overall functionality and
user satisfaction. These findings highlight the necessity of distinguishing between essential and supportive elements when planning senior
welfare centers. Moreover, the study offers an evidence-based framework that can inform both policymakers and architects in the formulation of
effective design guidelines. Ultimately, the results emphasize that a balanced planning approach?one that ensures safety and accessibility while
also promoting comfort and social participation?will be fundamental to enhancing the quality of life in senior welfare facilities. |