Walking mobility: older adults and vulnerability to flooding

This article investigates the overlap between older adults’ walking mobility and urban flooding in the municipality of São Paulo. The analysis uses data from the 2023 Origin and Destination Survey, filtered for walking trips made by individuals aged 60 and over, and combined with the Flooding Susceptibility Index (FSI) in a Geographic Information System environment (QGIS). The method allowed the identification of central zones, particularly Higienópolis and República, where 76.6% and 86% of older pedestrians’ walking trips occur in areas of high or very high susceptibility. The results reveal that older adult mobility is concentrated within territories vulnerable to flooding and highlight the need to integrate walkability planning, urban design, and climate adaptation to ensure safety, accessibility, and active aging.

Keywords:
older adult; walkability; floods; central areas; São Paulo