Program Area
Age-Friendly Physical Environments
This research area identifies aspects of the physical environment that can contribute to healthy aging. Architecture and urban design can play a major role in allowing older adults to remain active - both physically active and socially active in their local communities.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:
- Exploring the relationship between aging and the urban environment (i.e. public spaces).
- Working with older adults to understand the characteristics/determinants of 'good' urban design and its relationship to healthy physical, cognitive and social aging.
- Designing spaces that allow seniors to remain active - both physically active and socially active.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Investigating different floor materials and how they may reduce fall-related injuries.
- Using simulated environments to improve building design for individuals living with Alzheimer's Disease.
Click [HERE] to see a list of current and completed research projects.
PEOPLE:
THEME LEADER:
John Lewis, PhD (Associate Professor, University of Waterloo)
RESEARCH SCIENTISTS:
Andrew Laing, PhD (Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo)
Andrew Kaczynski, PhD (Assistant Professor, Kansas State University)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The aging of Canada's population will present significant challenges in relation to the buildings, structures and open spaces in which we live, work and play due to:
- increased longevity,
- falls in fertility, and
- the maturing of the baby boomer generation.
Low-density urban development, as in the Region of Waterloo, and 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 aging 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.