Research Theme
Senior-Friendly Physical Environments
Program Coordinator: Dr. John Lewis
The aging of Canada's population, attributable to increased longevity, falls in fertility and the maturing of the baby boomer generation, will present significant challenges in relation to the built environment - i.e. the buildings, structures and open spaces in which we live, work and play. In the Region of Waterloo, low-density urban development, a characteristic of many other growing communities, is not particularly age-friendly. Features such as rapid suburbanisation, dispersed development patterns, the lack of adequate pedestrian infrastructure, separation of land uses and automobile dependence all present significant obstacles to the independence of seniors. Nevertheless, good architecture and urban design can play a major role in allowing seniors to remain active - both physically active and socially active in their local communities. While there is a significant body of research that investigates housing demand and the characteristics of accessible building environments for seniors, there is comparatively little research that explores the relationship between ageing and the urban environment (i.e. public spaces). In particular, research is needed to explore the characteristics/determinants of 'good' urban design and its relationship to healthy physical, cognitive and social aging.
A significant issue challenging urban planners and designers is the range of assessment frameworks, criteria and indicators - e.g. accessibility standards, universal design principles, walkability indices, neighbourhood quality of life indicators etc. - that relate to the capacity of the urban environment to support people in later life. Through our work with the Research Institute for Aging, Dr. Lewis and his research team will be working with Winston Park residents to address the following objective:
- To identify, test and apply a range of methods for assessing architectural and urban environments to document their relevance and capacity to generate defensible indicators of architectural and urban design that is supportive of healthy aging.
Thus far, he has implemented a subjective assessment instrument through interviews with 28 Winston Park residents to elicit qualitative perceptions of built environment features both within and surrounding Winston Park that facilitate or interfere with physical, social and cognitive activity. The second phase of work during the summer of 2010 will involve a detailed inventory and assessment of Winston Park and the Williamsburg neighbourhood using assessment models and metrics that are published and broadly recognised within the urban planning and design professions. One outcome of this research will be a critical appraisal for practicing planners of alternative built environment assessment methods that is grounded in residents' lived experience of their communities. A further outcome will be the dissemination of findings from the subjective and objective assessment exercises to RBJ Schlegel management. Through specific recommendations for architectural and landscape retrofits to the Winston Park facility, it is our hope that findings from this research will enhance the quality of life of current residents and influence the design and management of future Schlegel operated facilities.
Current Research Projects
| Project Name | Principal Investigator |
| Novel compliant floors aimed at reducing fall-related injury risk | Dr. Andrew Laing |
Completed Research Projects
| Project Name | Principal Investigator | Completion Date |
| Environmental planning for individuals living with Alzheimer's Disease | Dr. John Lewis |
2009 |