“Factors Influencing the Realization of an Age-Friendly City in Zabol in the Post-COVID Era”

Environmental, social, and health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly affected various age groups, especially the elderly. Older adults face heightened challenges, including social isolation, reduced interactions, and increased demand for specialized care. Despite their vulnerability, urban studies have often overlooked the needs and conditions of this population. The concept of an age-friendly city emphasizes creating physical and social environments that support independence, active participation, and a safe, healthy, and high-quality life for seniors. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of elderly residents of Zabol regarding the features of an age-friendly city in the post-COVID-19 context, considering the city’s high migration rate. A random sample of 120 elderly residents participated in a descriptive–analytical survey. Data were analyzed using variance analysis, linear regression, OLS estimation, and the LPM model. Findings indicate that the components of an age-friendly city can be grouped into four main dimensions: developing an age-friendly environment, promoting knowledge and skills for active living, integrating services, and supporting elderly entrepreneurship. Among these, developing an age-friendly environment was the most influential, with neighborhood quality, public transport safety, green and cultural spaces, and social trust playing key roles. Other critical factors included local government responsiveness, financial resource provision, and air quality. The results suggest that advancing Zabol toward an age-friendly city requires supportive policies and empowering environments to enhance the quality of life for elderly residents in the post-pandemic era.