COLORS AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING

URBAN-CHROMATIC IMPACT ON OLDER ADULTS’ EMOTIONS

Abstract

spaces. Since they make fewer daily trips and prefer shorter routes, older adults tend to be especially sensitive to their residential surroundings. Although the influence of urban space on their subjective well-being is acknowledged, there is limited research on the impact of color in outdoor public spaces for this age group —especially regarding color saturation. This study explores the immediate emotional experience of older adults in response to the chromatic atmosphere of Rodolfo Beckdorf Park in Valdivia (Chile), through Color-Emotion Walks, allowing real-time capture of color perception and associated emotions in a specific urban context. Based on the findings, levels of color saturation that tend to foster positive emotions are identified, and recommendations are proposed for the design of chromatically inclusive public spaces, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the color experience in urban environments, promoting greater subjective well-being in old age.