تحلیل نشانه‌های بصری مؤثر بر ادراک سالمندان از منظر خیابانی در اردبیل

With the increasing elderly population, the necessity of designing urban spaces suitable for the characteristics and needs of this age group has become more important. Reduced cognitive abilities, including memory impairment and difficulty understanding the environment, cause elderly people to face challenges when interacting with urban spaces. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying visual signs that affect environmental perception and enhance the readability of the streetscape from the perspective of the elderly, within the main street of Ardabil (between Ali Qapu Square and Varzesh Square). This research is qualitative and was conducted using interpretive analysis. Data was collected in three ways: (1) document review and library studies, (2) field observation of spatial structure and visual cues, and (3) conducting semi-structured interviews with 30 elderly individuals familiar with the area of interest. Sampling was conducted using the snowball method and based on the principle of theoretical saturation. Data analysis was conducted using MaxQDA Pro 2024 software and the initial coding method. In the interviews, two central questions were asked regarding the identification of key visual elements (whether physically present or mentally recalled). The analysis results showed that functional objects such as benches, streetlights, and trash cans, as well as landmark buildings like the Sheikh Safi al-Din Mausoleum, play a central role in creating a sense of familiarity and strengthening the spatial memory of the elderly. The findings emphasise that environmental design based on visual cues can help improve the quality of life for the elderly.