Journal of the Korean Housing Association ISSN:2234-3571(Print) 2234-2257(Online) 한국주거학회논문집

The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of exterior spaces used by the elderly of housing complex. The exterior spaces are used for going out in everyday life with the view point that the elderly have to go out from the inside home in order to prevent isolating the elderly from local community. For that Toyoshikidai housing complex in Kashiwa city of Chiba prefecture, Japan is selected and carried out questionnaire survey and field survey targeting residents. The results are following as. For spatial characteristics, the location installed benches, location occupied in one part by roof, wall, or plants, place connecting to moving flow of the aged, and an open expanse getting safety from vehicle are taken advantages for the elderly. For using benches, the elderly of 70.1% do not have experience using benches installed in all those places. The the biggest reason is that they are not tired. However, 36.8% of the elderly are using benches in order to take a rest and 20.8% of them are using benches in order to talk with the other people. Bench is ibasho of the elderly.