Perceived meaning of urban local parks and social well-being of elderly men: A qualitative study of Delhi and Kolkata

Parks and open green spaces within urban landscapes provide opportunities to elderly to promote social cohesion and community ties, engage in light physical activity, relax and sometimes escape. Such public spaces bring elderly men together in neighbourhood and provide meeting opportunities and raise the potential for developing social cohesion which are significant for their social well-being. Based on 47 in- depth interviews this study explores the different meanings that the parks as social spaces hold for these elderly men. This paper argues that being isolated and sometimes neglected by the society in general and by the family members in particular the elderly men involve in their daily activities in the parks with their fellow elderly and thus parks becomes an integral part in their everyday lives bringing about a feeling of well-being and thus having a positive affect on their overall well-being.