Adapting Cities for Older Adults Through Universal Design

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Abstract

In the coming decades, population ageing will shape our cities and communities. In Finland, and in the other Nordic countries, the cohort of population 75 years old and older is increasing fastest in the urban areas. This demographic development will have impact on design of urban environment and housing, as well as on local services and transport. The WHO has recognized this challenge and launched the global network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities. The WHO proposes eight factors supporting older population that are interlinked. This paper focus on the three of the eight factors of age-friendliness directly related to the built environment: housing, access to outdoor environments and transport. The objective is to assess through case studies how has the Age-friendly cities framework promoted inclusive design of the cities. The research question is: How have the qualitative factors for age-friendliness been implemented in the urban environment? and How does the Age-friendly Cities framework shape the urban environment in the case study cities? The project uses qualitative case study methods involving users. The assessment of the quality of the environment is carried out with mixed methods: through city age-friendly policies, observations on site, and user participation. The analyses are based on Universal Design principals and the WHO framework. The objective is to provide further information on the practical measures to enhance age-friendliness through urban design and universally designed living environments. The overall aim is to promote sustainable and age-friendly urban environments through user knowledge and best practice examples.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUniversal Design 2024: Shaping a Sustainable, Equitable and Resilient Future for All
EditorsKristin S. Fuglerud, Wolfgang V. Leister, Juan Carlos Torrado Vidal
Place of PublicationAmsterdam
PublisherIOS Press
Pages255-262
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-64368-552-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Nov 2024
MoE publication typeA4 Conference publication
EventInternational Conference on Universal Design: Shaping a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for all - Oslo, Norway
Duration: 20 Nov 202422 Nov 2024
https://www.bufdir.no/arrangementer/universal-design-shaping-a-better-future/

Publication series

NameStudies in Health Technology and Informatics
PublisherIOS Press
Volume320
ISSN (Print)0926-9630

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Universal Design
Abbreviated titleUD
Country/TerritoryNorway
CityOslo
Period20/11/202422/11/2024
Internet address

Keywords

  • Age-friendly
  • Housing
  • Universal Design
  • Urban design

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