AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES june 2018
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International Cataloging Data (CIP) Maria Inez Figueiredo Figas Machado - CRB 10/1612 Campus Library Porto UFPel
P697 Place Age: comunidades amigas dos idosos / Federal University of Pelotas, School of Architecture and Urbanism. – volume 2. n.1 (2017) - Pelotas : UFPel, 2017 - . Biannual Language Portuguese/ English ISSN: 2595-5314 (online) 1. Architecture - Journal. I. Federal University of Pelotas. School of Architecture and Urbanism. CDD: 720
School of Architecture and Urbanism (FAUrb) Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) Diretor: Maurício Couto Polidori /Vice-Diretor: Isabel Tourinho Salamoni Laboratory of Behaviour Studies Estudos (LabCom) Coordinator: Adriana Portella / Vice-Coordinator: Gisele Pereira Program of Posgraduation in Architecture and Urbanism (PROGRAU-UFPel) Coordinator: Nirce Saffer Medvedovski /Vice-Coordinator: Eduardo Grala da Cunha Editors Adriana Portella (FAUrb/UFPel, Brazil) Ryan Woolrych (Heriot-Watt University, UK) Periodicity biannual Language Portuguese/English Editorial Committee Adriana Portella (FAUrb/UFPel, Brazil) Ryan Woolrych (Heriot-Watt University, UK) Nadia Goodman (Heriot-Watt University, UK) Eduardo Rocha (FAUrb/UFPel, Brazil) Sirlene de Mello Sopeña (FAUrb/UFPel, Brazil) Diagramming Greyci Backes Bolzan (FAUrb/UFPel, Brazil) Graphic design and cover Greyci Backes Bolzan (FAUrb/UFPel, Brazil) Lucas Dias Prezotto (FAUrb/UFPel, Brazil) Address/ Contact Rua Benjamin Constat, 1359 – Bairro Porto – Pelotas CEP 96010-020 Fone: 55 53 32845511 E-mail: placeagebr@gmail.com ISSN 2595-5314
Editorial Address Welcome to the second edition of the Place Age Newsletter! This is the newsletter of the Place-Making with Older Adults: Towards Age-Friendly Communities project, a 3 year study (2016-19) funded by the Economic and Social Research Council exploring experiences of ageing across 6 cities and 18 neighbourhoods in the UK and Brazil. A key aim of this project is working towards the design and development of urban areas that support older adults to age in their communities with a high quality of life. Central to this is identifying and addressing the barriers and challenges to ageing in the community, and integrating opportunities to better enable social participation in old age. The objective of the newsletter is to inform our readers about exciting news and developments from the project. In this edition we are pleased to report on some of the activities we have been undertaking in our local communities in both the UK and Brazil including a series of mapping workshops exploring barriers and facilitators to ageing-in-place. e r ec ea a e a ee ari e i from the research at key events and conferences, disseminating the information to an academic and non-academic audience. We are also delighted to launch a new ESRC project (page 14) looking at the design of Age-Friendly Cities in India which will build on the Place Age project and expand to 3 case study cities in India: Hyderabad, Delhi and Calcutta. Over the course of the project we have been establishing partnerships with local residents, community organisations, service providers and other key stakeholders who have shown a continued commitment to designing urban environments that support older adults to age well. Thank you to those who have assisted and supported us in this work. We now look forward to the next phase of the research, which is developing recommendations to support the design of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. I look forward to staying in touch as these developments unfold. Lastly, a big thank you to all the local residents who have been supporting us with interviews, photography and participation in the workshops. We are grateful for your contribution. Best Wishes Ryan Woolrych
Inside this Issue 06 - 11 Participatory Mapping in Brazil and UK 12 - Research Network Environment and Gerontology 14 - New ESRC Research Project 15-16 Key Findings from Year 1 17-19 News and Events
Photo Credits Photos Source: 2016-2019
PlaceAge,
Page 14: North Block Delhi. S rce . ic r. com/photos/ljonesimages/3012901642/. Author: Laurie Jones.2008 Page 19: Toronto City. Source: https://pixabay.com/pt/arquitetura-blue-construção-2186815/
Newsletter designed by Greyci Bolzan Edited by Mônica Lopes
www.placeage.org /PlaceAge @PlaceAge 2 PLACE AGE
Place Age Team Investigators Dr. Ryan Woolrych
Dra. Adriana Portella
Pi in UK
Pi in Brazil
Heriot-Watt University (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society) Sociedade)
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning)
Brazilian Research Team Dr. Eduardo Rocha Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning)
Dra. Isolda de Araújo Günther Federal University of Brasília (Psychology Institute)
Dr. Hartmut Günther
Dra. Silke Kapp
Federal University of Brasília (Psychology Institute)
Federal University of Minas Gerais (School of Architecture and Urbanism).
Dra. Celina Britto Correa
Dra. Gisele Silva Pereira
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning)
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Business and Tourism)
Dra. Laura Lopes Cezar
Dra. Ligia Ávila Chiarelli
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning)
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning)
Dra. Nirce Saffer Medvedovski
Dr. Sinval Cantarelli Xavier
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning)
Federal University of Rio Grande (School of Civil Engineer) and City Council of Pelotas
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UK Research Team Dr. Harry Smith
Dr. Jenny Fisher
Heriot-Watt University (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society)
Manchester Metropolitan University (Department of Social Work and Social Change)
Prof. Rebecca Lawthom
Professor Michael Murray
Manchester Metropolitan University (Department of Social Work and Social Change)
Keele University (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)
Prof. Judith Sixsmith
Dr. Soledad Garcia Ferrari
University of Dundee (School of Nursing and Health Sciences)
University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh College of Art)
Dr. Meiko Makita
Dr. Nadia Goodman
Heriot-Watt University (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society)
Heriot-Watt University (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society)
Research Associates
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Sirlene M. SopeĂąa
Anelize M. Cardoso
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning). Scholarship ESRC.
Federal University of Pelotas (Institute of Human Sciences/ Geography Course). Scholarship ESRC.
Dayse S. Albuquerque
Fernanda M. Goulart
University of Brasilia (Institute of Psychology). Scholarship ESRC.
University of Brasilia (Institute of Psychology). Scholarship ESRC.
Rodrigo S. M. Gonçalves
Luna E. Gama Lyra
Federal University of Minas Gerais ((School of Architecture and Urbanism). Scholarship ESRC.
Federal University of Minas Gerais (School of Architecture and Urbanism). Scholarship ESRC.
Camila M. Fontenele
Tanara Gomes da Costa
Federal University of Minas Gerais (School of Architecture and Urbanism). Scholarship ESRC.
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning). Scholarship ESRC.
Moana Pereira Bellotti
Natália D. Klavdianos
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning). Scholarship ESRC.
University of Brasília (Institute of Psychology). Scholarship ESRC.
Research Assistants Mônica Mariani Costa Lopes
Lucas Dias Prezotto
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning). Scholarship FAPERGS.
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning). Scholarship CNPQ.
Tulio Matheus Amarillo Souza
Jullye Schaun Amaral
Federal University of Pelotas (Institute of Human Sciences/ Geography Course). Scholarship ESRC.
Federal University of Pelotas (School of Architecture and Planning). Scholarship PREC/ UFPel.
For more details and to find out about this exciting research please visit our site: www.placeage.org Or contact us by e-mail: Place-making@hw.ac.uk
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Participatory Mapping in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Adriana Portella (Federal University of Pelotas) In February and March 2018, participatory mapping workshops were conducted in three neighborhoods of the city of Pelotas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil: Navegantes, Centro (Downtown) and Fragata. Residents of each neighborhood participated in the workshops and shared memories, ideas and recurring concerns of daily life in their neighborhoods. The activity was proposed as a conversation circle, where a neighborhood map (photographic image) was placed on the discussion table. Participants marked the important neighborhood locations on the map, the ones that characterize
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the memory and identity of the neighborhood. The issues regarding safety were a constant complaint in all three neighborhoods. Residents feel insecure while walking on the streets and they reported the inexistence of social experience due to the fear of robbery. Inadequate infrastructure for the 60+ age group has been reported. Complaints have been made about the absence of qualified
public spaces that allow basic mobility conditions, such as pavements with holes and streets with precarious or non existent pavement. Another demand highlighted by the residents in all three neighborhoods, is the need for public spaces that allow physical activities and residents gatherings to hold bingo evenings, groups of music, chat and crafts. In general, when these meetings happen, they depend on private spaces, like church rooms. It would be important for each neighborhood to have a community center with infrastructure that would allow such meetings. Older residents speak of the neighborhoods and their communities with affection, and it is possible to see that family connections add meaning to these places. Based on the participants’ testimonies, it was possible to realize that religious activities and groups gatherings in some neighborhoods promote social interaction, reducing the feeling of loneliness and isolation.
Participatory Mapping in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Silke Kapp (Federal University of Minas Gerais) The city of Belo Horizonte, in March and April 2018, held three participatory mappings with the residents of the neighborhoods Anchieta, Centro (City Centre) and Serra. The workshops were characterized as conversation circles over a map of the neighborhood. During the workshop, issues that harm the lives of residents were mentioned and proposals to improve the quality of life of the population were also identified. The activity was fundamental to allow a debate among the participants themselves. In all the neighborhoods there was an initial estrangement from the debate, probably because the residents usually don’t have their opinion taken into account and they aren’t consulted about urban planning decisions in the city. In the neighborhood of Serra, the residents’ speech was very positive regarding to the life in the neighborhood, which was much worse in the past, because the area
has been revitalized in recent years. In general, everyone claimed to enjoy living in the area because of its location and to be a good neighborhood. The most urgent problems identified by residents were the irregular supply of water and the long wait for public transportation, which connects the neighborhood to the city centre. As many residents aged 60 years or over still work, locomotion is an essential part of their daily lives. One proposal raised by the residents was the implantation of elevators in the area for internal displacements of the neighborhood, due to the very bumpy relief of the place, which makes the walkability harder to
the older adults. In the neighborhood of Centro, the difference between the use of the public space by women and men was a highlighted. Women often feel more insecure, but they are more active and healthy in their mature years. Also, it was mentioned the need to have better infrastructure in public spaces to serve old adults, such as street signs, pedestrian crossings and public restrooms. People said they feel very satisfied with the neighborhood of Centro, which is well served by transportation, commercial and leisure spaces. In the Anchieta neighborhood, the urban transformations were pointed out by the residents over time, such as the intense verticalization and the increase of vehicular traffic. The neighborhood is described as very pleasant, with a good neighborhood, but with many problems regarding mobility and the lack of cultural activities. PLACE AGE
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Participatory mapping in Brasilia, Brazil Isolda Gunther (Federal University of Brasilia) In March and April 2018, the participatory mapping workshops gathered residents in Brasilia, age of 60+ and over, from the three studied neighborhoods: North Wing, South Wing and Granja do Torto. The participants was mostly female and the speeches focused on concerns about safety and life stories. The activity included a map that illustrated the neighborhood with the leisure, structure and local commercial areas highlighted. The main complaints in the neighborhood Granja do Torto were the lack of leisure activities, the poor supply of services and the difficulty of mobility within the neighborhood or accessing other regions in Brasilia. An environmental preserved area within the neighborhood, which allows the contemplation of the natural landscape, was remembered as one of the positive points in living in the neighborhood. The lack of activities was one of the complaints from the residents in the South 8
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Wing neighborhood. The older residents spoke about the blocks with affection, emphasizing the positive aspects. On the other hand, the more recent residents emphasized infrastructure problems. However, everyone agreed on issues such as insecurity and the quality of local commercial and green areas.
Residents from the North Wing neighborhood indicated deep dissatisfaction with the insecurity. Among the positive aspects, the nearby urban green park is perceived as a place for physical exercise and contact with nature. Even so, in all three neighborhoods at least one of the participants took on the role of community leader, mobilizing peers and taking local action. This type of initiative is evaluated positively by the residents, as it encourages group meetings and social interaction.
Participatory Mapping in Edinburgh,UK Ryan Woolrych (Heriot-Watt University) In Edinburgh the workshops took place in Leith, Morningside and Craigmillar. In Leith, local libraries are perceived as ‘community hubs’ (e.g. MacDonald Library; Leith Library) as they provide more than just books or internet access for community. Libraries are mostly being run by volunteers. “One of the aims of the library services is to have a library within reasonable walking distance of all of the areas in Edinburgh. That is one of their, I don’t know if we’d call it policies but their attempt to have one available for. So I mean it is really important that the, I think there are 26 or 27, libraries should stay open so that the majority of people can access them […]” (female participant). The role of volunteering was identified as a key activity for retirement. During the discussion, older adults mentioned that they felt they had lots of energy and wanted to remain involved within their community to ensure they did not become “socially
decisions (i.e. politicians) without considering the community’s needs. Participants were vocal about transient populations having a negative impact in the community. According to them, these populations (e.g. young people from overseas attending isolated”.. “Exactly, it’s university) have caused socialisation. And I’ve found property prices to go up with the two groups like and forced families to move Friends of Pilrig Park and out of Morningside. of the Leith Community In Craigmillar, although Cinema […] it’s nice, it’s a there are parks and green really mixed age range.” pockets participants think (female participant). residents are not using Participants are well these public green spaces informed of services, as they should. Since these programmes and activities spaces are in between available for older adults. different types of housing In Morningside, participants developments, ownership perception is that the is unclear. “What they did community spirit is was […] that they put back disappearing, people now greens in that nobody uses tend to live “busy” lives: […] because actually it’s a there is no time to chat, mixture of social housing, “they walk past you, or flats, private housing, and if you try to engage in a there’s about four different conversation they think uh- tenures there, they all think huh, he’s an odd ball” (male it’s for something else […] participant). People are so people don’t use it! They less inclined to get involved all think it’s got a different in community issues; this use, so people don’t use it.” could be attributed to the growing disillusionment with those who make PLACE AGE
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Participatory Mapping in Glasglow, UK Ryan Woolrych (Heriot-Watt University) In Glasgow the mapping workshops were conducted in Hyndland, Dowanhill & Partick, Easterhouse, and Govanhill. In Hyndland, Dowanhill & Partick, key themes identified were the value of community interconnection and the importance of places that offer opportunities for older adults to feel useful, socially engaged and able to contribute to society through volunteering activities. “My church saved my sanity” (female participant) “Volunteering [in the church] makes me feel useful” (female participant). Another aspect older adults highlighted was intergenerational relationships, older people want to participate in activities and be in spaces that bring together people of all ages and not necessarily participate in age-segregated places or activities. It has also been stressed the importance of having parks and green areas available within the community. In Easterhouse, community 10
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engagement was identified as a key theme. Older adults emphasised the importance of being involved in community and volunteering groups to expand and strengthen their social and support network and to maintain their mental health and wellbeing: “Coming to the phoenix has been like therapy for me, I was so depressed before and now I’ve made new friends.” (female participant). Loneliness was also identified as a key issue and so it is necessary that community centres find better ways to reach out to people and communicate broadly about their activities and services. However, participants are also aware that sometimes physical accessibility and also people’s own confidence are the issues: “Some people are desperate and they’re
lonely on a Sunday, they’ve got a bit of depression on them; it’s hard to go to these places. You need maybe a bit of befriending [service] […] Some people are just naturally shy and don’t want to, they’ve got to be encouraged to go to groups. […] You’ve got to be: come on, come along, you’re OK.” (male participant). In Govanhill, participants highlighted the issue of ageing in the community. Older adults expressed that they want to continue living in their community for as long as possible. They were open to the idea of getting some extra care at home, move in to sheltered housing or even a care home; they do want to have choices and would like to contribute to shape the services they might need support from.
Participatory Mapping in Manchester, UK Ryan Woolrych (Heriot-Watt University) In Manchester the workshops took place in Rusholme, Baguley and Didsbury. Older adults in Rusholme talked about the importance of social spaces (e.g. Trinity House, Platt Hall, Birch Community centre and local allotments) and participating in the activities on offer (e.g. social café, luncheons, art classes, walk groups). To them these represent opportunities to socialise with people from the community and beyond, and thus strengthen their social and support networks. “I’m up there three times a week. […] Well like today is like a talk, discussion things. Wednesday is the art project. We only go to Platt Hall once a week. All the other times it’s here. And then Friday it’s luncheon club.”(female participant). For many, cyclists represent a hazard for pedestrians of all ages, not only for older adults. Cycle lanes are also a barrier especially when it comes to reaching bus stops. This is exacerbated
with their neighbours, but as younger families have moved into the community In Baguley, the majority that has now been lost. of older adults constructed “I think maybe the older memories about specific generation have moved out places and spaces and and young ones come in specific activities (e.g. and they haven’t got the camping, walking) within the community. Most talked time. They go out to work. Then they come in […]” about how well they know the place because they have (female participant). been part of this community For most of the participants Didsbury is a place where for most of their lives. Linked to this place identity people come together and work for the good of aspect was the importance the community. Many of of heritage and telling the the activities available story of the place. are volunteer-led by local Participants agreed on people; this seems to work the idea that the sense of best as these people would community has shifted: be truly invested in their People used to socialise community. “Didsbury is in fact one of the better places to live for all these activities, […] and the amount of voluntary activity that goes on. […] Yes, things can be improved […], but we are a long way down the path that people haven’t even trodden in other areas.” (male participant). with the lack of crossing signs.
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Research Network Environment and Gerontology at IAPS International Association of Person-Environment studies Adriana Portella (Federal University of Pelotas) The Place-Making with Older People: Towards Age Friendly Communities (www.placeage.org) Research Project funded by ESRC-Newton Fund is part of the Research Network Environment and Gerontology organised by the International Association of People Environment Studies (http://iapsassociation.org/networks/ environement-andgerontology). This network is managed by Professors Adriana Portella and Mark del Alguila.
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This network aims to improve the understanding of the relationships between old adults (+60 years old) and their built and natural surroundings, and to help create environments suited to their needs; to facilitate the communication between those involved with projects regarding the build environment and the residents; to stimulate research and innovation for improving human well-being in the physical environment; and to promote the integration of research, education, policy and practice.
By participating in the Research Network, we seek to stimulate international conversations about the topic, and to make contributions that can subsidize urban projects that consider the needs of the old adults. Another issue debated is the role of intergenerational public space in cites, and how this can improve the quality of life of the population and help in the education of young people with respect to older adults.
Place Age team participated in the ESRC Newton Fund Event in Glasgow to evaluate the impact of the researches Ryan Woolrych (Heriot-Watt University) The Principal Investigators of Place-Making with Older People: Towards Age Friendly Communities (www.placeage.org), Ryan Woolrych, Adriana Portella, and the researcher Gisele Pereira were invited to attend the “ESRC Newton Award Fund Event�, which took place between 5th and 7th March 2018 in Glasgow, UK. The objective of the event was to bring together principal project investigators who are funded by the ESRC and Newton Fund to discuss strategies of the impact of their projects at global and regional levels. At
the meeting, researchers from the UK, Brazil, South Africa, China, India, and Mexico were invited, who were from various fields of knowledge. The purpose of the event was to promote networking and different ways of maximizing the impact of international research, not only from the academic (scientific publications) point of
view, but also from the social perspective of the concrete contributions made by research to the communities involved. During the days of the event several activities took place, such as presentations and interactive discussions, to provoke researchers to think more broadly about the beneficiaries and benefits of international research partnerships.
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PlaceAge Team has been successful in a funding application to expand the research to India Ryan Woolrych (Heriot-Watt University) We are delighted to announce that Ryan Woolrych has been successful in a funding application to expand the research to India. ‘Ageing Well in Urban Environments: Developing Age Friendly Cities and Communities’ is a £357,756 research project funded by ESRC-Newton Fund. It is a collaborative project led by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, UK, and Sri Venkataswara University ,Tirupati, India which will bring together researchers in the UK, India and Brazil to expand the evidence base to other case study cities in the developing world. The project started in May 2018 and will be completed in April 2020. Description: Population ageing and increasing urbanisation are two dominant societal trends of the 21st Century. By 2030 two-thirds of the global population will be living in cities and at least a quarter of those urban populations will be aged over 60. Developing urban environments that support and promote healthy living for older 14
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people has become a key driver of urban policy and interventions at a local and national level, resulting in planning design concepts and guidelines to support an ageing population. Responding to these challenges, this research intends to answer the following research questions: How do older adults experience ageing and sense of place across different urban, social and cultural contexts? In what ways can urban environments support the rights of older people to age in place? Building on the PLACE-AGE project, the aim of the proposed research is to expand transnational understandings of ageing in urban environments by expanding the data collection to three case study cities in India (Delhi, Calcutta, Hyderabad). This will offer a unique
insight into how older adults experience ageing and place across diverse and transformative urban environments in India, providing opportunities for knowledge exchange, allowing for comparative analysis within and across case study cities in India, UK and Brazil (when combined with data emerging from the PLACE-AGE research), and identifying clear routes to policy and practice. We look forward to providing more updates on this exciting project in due course but demonstrates a commitment to sustaining the work we have been doing to other cities and countries in the Global South. analysis within and across case study cities in India, UK and Brazil (when combined with data emerging from the PLACE-AGE research), and identifying clear routes to policy and practice. We look forward to providing more updates on this exciting project in due course but demonstrates a commitment to sustaining the work we have been doing to other cities and countries in the Global South.
Achieved results from Year 1 (2016-2017) of the Project Ryan Woolrych (Heriot-Watt University), Adriana Portella (Federal University of Pelotas) The activities from the first year of the project ‘PlaceMaking with Older Adults: Towards Age-Friendly Communities’ focused on the application of questionnaires, interviews, walking interviews and photo diaries in three different neighborhoods from the studied cities in Brazil (Pelotas, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte), which demonstrated that the population over 60 years has a great critical capacity of analysis about the neighborhoods where they live, however, they don’t feel valued in the sense that authorities
don’t consult them for decision making in urban requalification projects. In addition, all cities highlighted the lack of security in the public space as an issue, being identified that without safety and without a qualified urban design (fully meeting the concepts of universal design), the city becomes a physical barrier to socializing. The lack of planning the city’s spaces responding to the users and their needs may cause isolation and depression in many residents. It was identified that currently, as a result of the digital
revolution we live in, the WhatsApp groups became fundamental as a mean of creating real-life dating opportunities for people aged 60 years or older. In addition, the technology associated with traveling in public transportation was also mentioned as something to be further explored. Therefore, in 2018, an older adults age-friendly community has to be a smart city, linked to technology used as an improvement in the experience of people of all ages, stimulating social meetings and contacts.
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Achieved results from Year 1 (2016-2017) of the Project Main results obtained from the methods applied in 2016-2017 point to: - Partnership-building at local and city level – community organisations, city government, etc. - Collaborative workshops with UK-Brazil researchers. -Large and unique body of data on the sense of place experiences of older adults. -Development of APP. -Development of methods Key findings. - Role of urban regeneration and urban development has often challenged sense of place, identity and belonging. Rapid urban transformation has undermined attachment to place. City as a space that is not for them. - Older adults often excluded from the decision-making process in the design of urban areas – participation still tokenistic and often meaningless. Older adults often involved but seldom heard. Need to see participation as part of a set of ‘rights to the city’. -Neighbourhood has a form of meaning and attachment to older people. 16
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– dependent on the neighbourhood for formal and informal supports. Key to ageing-in-place. Moving out of the community can bring about significant disruption to place routines and undermine sense of place amongst older adults. -Social participation. Barriers to social participation often psychological in nature e.g. afraid to leave the home. Age-friendly supports through befriending supports crucial. Social participation highly gendered – difficulties in engaging men in accessing services. More also needs to be done to engage the ‘hard to reach’. - Interconnected and integrated supports. Age-friendly cities require inter-connected supports at through home, outdoor spaces and the planning of services. These various types of supports are not well integrated. Service interventions need to be multi-sectoral in nature e.g. involving transport providers, social services, housing etc. - Respect and recognition. Old age often framed as a ‘burden’ – yet older adults often do assume active roles
in old age e.g. organising forms of civic participation, involvement in place maintenance activities e.g. cleaning the local community and acting as grandparent. These roles need to be better recognised and supported in an institutional context. Many older adults feel ‘invisible’ and ‘ignored’ within public space. - Information and communication. Forms of communication and information transfer often traditional e.g. word of mouth. Many eschew forms of technological information e.g. social media and the internet. Important role for odler people’s champions at a local level who are connected to the internet to transfer information to local residents at a community level. - Inter-generational spaces – many envisaged ager-friendly spaces and settings which are inclusive to all. How can we ensure that the types of community and housing supports are inter-generational in nature. Older adults very much against ‘ghettoes for the old’.
IAPS in Rome
NEWS AND EVENTS
From the 8th to the 13th of July, 2018, the team of Place-Making with Older People: Towards Age Friendly Communities will be participating in the IAPS 25 TRANSITIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY, LIFESTYLES CHANGES AND HUMAN WELLBEING: CULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLITICAL CHALLENGE. The Team will be presenting 15 scientific articles from the research. In addition, Professors Ryan Woolrych,
Adriana Portella, and Gisele Pereira will be organizing the Symposium ‘Place-Making with Older Adults: Towards Age-Friendly Communities’ at the Conference. The Symposium will have 22 presentations of papers addressing the topic of environmental gerontology with researchers from various countries such as Brazil, Israel, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Italy. For more information visit: http://iaps2018.
Forum of Tourism and ENTAC- Foz do Iguaçu Brazil The researcher Tulio Souza will be participating in the ‘International Forum of Tourism in Foz do Iguaçu’ from the 20th to the 22nd of June 2018. He will present the work ‘Leisure from the view of old adults in Pelotas’. The event will take place in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, in the state of Paraná. For more information go to: http:// festivaldeturismodascataratas.com
The researcher Tanara Costa will participate in the ‘National Meeting on Technology of the Built Environment’ from the 12th to the 14th of November 2018 in the city of Foz do Iguaçu. She will be presenting a paper from the research: ‘The perception of the old adults from walking interviews’. For more information go to: http://entac2018.com.br/
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UK, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte Teams in mission to Pelotas The teams from the UK, Brasilia, and Belo Horizonte visited the city of Pelotas from the 4th to the 8th of December 2017. The teams participated in a series of meetings, visited the neighbourhoods of the case studies done in Pelotas (Navegantes, Fragate and Centre) and participated in the first participatory mapping with the residents of the centre. The teams gained a better understanding of the challenges of the residents of these neighbourhoods by having this contact with them, and could receive suggestions in order to improve the quality of life and the public space. During the visit to Pelotas, the teams from the United Kingdom, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte had the opportunity to meet Professor Flavio DelmarcoPostgraduate and Research Director of the Federal University of Pelotas, Professor Rafael Vetromille Castro- Postgraduate Coordinator of Federal University of Pelotas, and Professor Mauricio Polidori, the Director of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Pelotas, at the Doce Museum to discuss the current development of PlaceAge project and the collaboration between the universities. The team 18
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also visited Navegantes, where in the CRAS (Social Assistance Reference Centre) they had the opportunity to meet the social assistants working with the old adults, children and other members of the community. In Fragata, the team had the
opportunity to talk to the local administrator of the condominium COHAB Duque, where most of the residents are old adults. During both visits, the team furthered their understanding regarding how older adults are supported in their communities, particularly with regards to health, well-being, and social participation. This has helped the UK team to better understand the challenges and opportunities for aging in the face of the Brazilian reality. The mission ended with an analysis among team members about the next steps for the research in 2018. The mission ended with a visit to the Charqueada SĂŁo JoĂŁo.
Participation of the Place Age team at the III World Social Forum of Old Adults in Porto Alegre
The Place-Making with Older People: Towards Age Friendly Communities team participated in the third World Social Forum of Old Adults during the 22tnd to the 26th of January 2018 in Porto Alegre. On the 23rd of January Professors Ligia Chiarelli, Nirce Medvedoski and Project Manager Sirlene Sopeña presented the Project, highlighting its results and
Participation of Professor Judith Sixsmith in scientific meeting
the progress to date. They also presented the research at the Seminar (Age friendly City of old adults – Housing) in the auditorium of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC), in Porto Alegre.
During the 19th21th October 2017, Professor Judith Sixsmith participate at the 46th Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, Winnipeg, MB where she successfully presented a poster ´How Age-Friendly Are Our Neighbourhoods? Perspectives from older adults living in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester’
The programme this year focused on the topic related to old adults and people living with disabilities. For more information visit the website: http: //www.fsm. org.br/_en
PlaceAge at the 11th World Conference of Gerontechnology in St Petersburgh Florida US Dr Ryan Woolrych presented the paper Exploring the Potential of Smart Cities in the Design of Age-friendly Urban Environments during the 11th World Conference of Gerontechnology, St Petersburg, Florida, US from 7th to 11th May 2018. PLACE AGE
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Visit of Queen’s University’s Physical Activity Group to Place Age Researchers On 26th January 2018,
Healthy Urban Living & Ageing in Place: Physical Activity, Built Environment & Knowledge Exchange in Brazilian Cities (HULAP) team from School of Natural and Built Environment Queen’s University, Belfast visited Heriot-Watt University to meet members of Place Age Project. The team comprised by Claire Cleland, Geraint Ellis, Ruth Hunter; Sara Moutinho Barbosa de Melo; Sara
Ferguson. The Place Age team comprised by Dr Ryan Woolrych, Professor Michael Murray, Professor Judith Sixsmith, Dr Jenny Fisher, Dr Meiko Makita. The teams engaged in an interesting discussion about the
PlaceAge at a Seminar in Toronto, Canada
Professor Rebecca Lawthom presented Place Age in a seminar at the Reclaiming Disability Studies on Tuesday Feb 20th, 6-8:30 at University of Toronto OISE Main floor Library, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON.Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON.
Professor Rebecca Lawthom attended an event at Manchester Metropolitan University
On the 26th September 2017, during the event organised by the Vice Chancellor’s office at the Manchester Metropolitan University, Professor Rebecca Lawthom gave a presentation for the Professors and researchers about being a professor of community psychology. She spoke about a number of projects that she is working on and one was Place Age.
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key opportunities and challenges in doing cross-national research. In addition the areas of overlap and potential collaboration among both projects was discussed and next steps were agreed.
/PlaceAge @PlaceAge
www.placeage.org PLACE AGE
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