I think the direction of the blog thinking is great. But I disagree with xiaoxue’s view that measures to plan the infrastructure for the elderly and improve health services for the elderly will lead to greater ageing. There is no direct causal relationship between these measures and ageing.
I believe that activating ageing cities should prioritise optimising the design of community infrastructures, providing easy access to transport, increasing cultural activities and social opportunities, and providing the necessary safety and security.
Regarding how urban design can mitigate the negative effects of ageing, I think xiaoxue has a good idea of creating friendly public spaces and recreational facilities for the elderly through the creation of garden spaces and communities for the elderly so that they can socialise and have fun, while at the same time offering the possibility of re-employment and providing them with more employment opportunities and jobs.
I think it is possible to provide easy access to public transport for older people by improving urban transport facilities and accessibility. For example, barrier-free access can be provided, traffic obstructions can be reduced, and wheelchair access can be increased. In terms of mitigating the negative effects of ageing, we, as urban designers, can increase housing options for older people, including affordable flats, cohousing communities, etc. and ensure that these housing facilities are tailored to the physical needs and preferences of older people and are able to provide for their health and well-being.
Activating an ageing city
Older people are a large group and the state of older people affects the economy and development of cities. In a state of parallel development of ageing and urbanisation, on the one hand, cities need to plan infrastructure for the elderly. On the other hand, there is a need to improve elderly care and healthcare services for the elderly. This will lead to a shortage of labour and an increased burden on cities in terms of medical and pension costs. In my opinion, such measures cannot completely solve the problem of ageing and there is a possibility that ageing will become more serious.
Some cities have welfare health measures, but no infrastructure for older people in the space. Or, both are available but do not provide effective assistance to them and, at the same time, waste the city’s resources. Therefore, the root causes of ageing should be addressed with an active ageing response that engages older people in cities where they can still learn and participate socially throughout their lives.
A friendly community for the elderly, promoting the re-employment of the elderly, reducing socio-economic pressure and providing a strong labour pool for sustained and stable economic growth. To meet the social needs of the elderly community, to reduce their sense of isolation in the urbanisation process and to build a friendly social network.
Garden space
Garden spaces can be improved to have a soothing effect on the body, mind and perception of older people. It enables older people to feel safe, both in terms of being protected and not in terms of being tied down. The possibility of all types of accidents should also be fully considered and the necessary design measures taken to reduce the chances of accidents in older people’s activities, while allowing for increased socialisation in the elderly community.
Photo credits:Elderly Community Garden – Bing images
Elderly Community
Older people can use their skills and experience as volunteers to help others in the community. Being active in clubs and groups can increase socialisation and keep active, getting older people out of the house. Older people can act as mentors to younger people in the community, either through formal mentoring programmes or by volunteering their time and sharing their knowledge and experience. Also, participate in community events, often concerts, festivals and fairs, and attending these events can be a fun way to enjoy the community.
Overall, there are many ways for older people to get involved in their city and community. By staying active and involved, seniors can continue to lead fulfilling lives and have a positive impact on their communities.
Reference:
Wang Fuyin; Helping the Elderly Community Services Positioning, problems and countermeasures[J]. Social Sciences. 2004 (06)
Schram-Bijkerk, D., Otte, P., Dirven, L. and Breure, A.M., 2018. Indicators to support healthy urban gardening in urban management. Science of the Total Environment, 621, pp.863-871.
Neale, C., Aspinall, P., Roe, J., Tilley, S., Mavros, P., Cinderby, S., Coyne, R., Thin, N., Bennett, G. and Thompson, C.W., 2017. The aging urban brain: analyzing outdoor physical activity using the emotiv affectiv suite in older people. Journal of urban health, 94, pp.869-880.
I think the direction of the blog thinking is great. But I disagree with xiaoxue’s view that measures to plan the infrastructure for the elderly and improve health services for the elderly will lead to greater ageing. There is no direct causal relationship between these measures and ageing.
I believe that activating ageing cities should prioritise optimising the design of community infrastructures, providing easy access to transport, increasing cultural activities and social opportunities, and providing the necessary safety and security.
Regarding how urban design can mitigate the negative effects of ageing, I think xiaoxue has a good idea of creating friendly public spaces and recreational facilities for the elderly through the creation of garden spaces and communities for the elderly so that they can socialise and have fun, while at the same time offering the possibility of re-employment and providing them with more employment opportunities and jobs.
I think it is possible to provide easy access to public transport for older people by improving urban transport facilities and accessibility. For example, barrier-free access can be provided, traffic obstructions can be reduced, and wheelchair access can be increased. In terms of mitigating the negative effects of ageing, we, as urban designers, can increase housing options for older people, including affordable flats, cohousing communities, etc. and ensure that these housing facilities are tailored to the physical needs and preferences of older people and are able to provide for their health and well-being.
Population aging is a problem in every country in the world[1]. Especially in many Asian countries, this problem is more obvious. Japan has had the problem of population aging for a long time[2].
I am delighted that you can pay attention to the problems of older people. Aging significantly affects a country’s labor production[3]. As mentioned in the article, society needs more labor to support older people, so the community will need more young labor, and the economic situation will be very severe.
We went to Cambridge Marmalade Lane this semester, and the form of shared community there and the content in your article gave me a new perspective. In the design, we can set up a shared community for the elderly. In the community of Marmalade Lane, the occupants perform their duties, both occupants and managers. This form is very suitable for older people in the 21st century. First, due to medical conditions and social progress, older people’s physical fitness and thinking have significantly progressed[4]. A shared community can allow some older adults in good health to manage and build the community. In contrast, other older people can participate in relaxing activities. The Cambridge community has become a model for engaging young people in the passing of social experiences (farming, crafts).
Although I think data should drive design, we should have more humanistic care as human beings. Now that the aging society has arrived, we need to consider the feelings of older people (also applicable to people with disabilities) in the design of urban spaces. Put more elderly scales in the design thinking.
I hope you will continue to pay attention to the needs of older people. In my opinion, older people are not a burden but one of society’s most precious assets.
Reference:
[1] Jones, K. (2020, January 15). DEMOGRAPHICSThe Problem of an Aging Global Population, Shown by Country. Visualcapitalist. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/aging-global-population-problem/
[2]Countries With the Oldest Populations in the World.(n.d.).PRB. https://www.prb.org/resources/countries-with-the-oldest-populations-in-the-world/
[3]Cylus J, Al Tayara L. Health, an ageing labour force, and the economy: Does health moderate the relationship between population age-structure and economic growth? Soc Sci Med. 2021 Oct;287:114353. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114353. Epub 2021 Sep 8. PMID: 34536748; PMCID: PMC8505790.
[4]Kirk-Sanchez NJ, McGough EL. Physical exercise and cognitive performance in the elderly: current perspectives. Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:51-62. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S39506.
The ageing city, mentioned within the article, is a very interesting topic. A range of strategies are proposed for cities to combat ageing. And it calls for cities to provide infrastructure regarding the elderly. To build cities that are compatible with the lives of older people. I have a few proposals. Firstly provide a public transport system that meets the needs of older people to get around and ensure the safety of pedestrian crossings. Promote mobility and socialisation for older people. Secondly provide suitable public spaces such as parks and squares with comfortable seating. Stimulate interactive relationships between older people. Then build a good network of health services. Build hospitals, clinics and pharmacies within the living area. Meet the health needs of older people. After this, provide housing suitable for the elderly, such as accessible housing, senior flats and other senior communities. Provide community support services. Services such as housekeeping, nursing and emergency services. Meeting the special needs of older people. Finally, provide cultural, educational and recreational enrichment activities for older people. Use these measures to promote learning and self-expression among older people. Enrich their lives.
[1] Dou Xiaolu, et al. “Cities and Active Aging: International Experience in Age-Friendly City Construction.” International Urban Planning 3 (2015): 117-123.