Ageing Experience Workshop #2

Have you ever considered the difficulties elderly people have negotiating the urban environment?

Avoiding obstructions, steps and crossing roads as well as their potential visual impairment, makes walking in the city arduous. Barry Wilson went to find out for himself.

image: HKIUD

Barry Wilson was experiencing the difficulties faced by elderly on the street. image: HKIUD

As a further follow up to the HKIUD Conference 2018 - Actions for Active Ageing,  I was pleased to facilitate and participate in the second Ageing in the Urban Environment - Experiential Workshop, this time targeting younger people and students. 

The workshop, allowed participants to put on specially designed jackets and accessories that "artificially aged"  them whilst they cautiously "explored" streets and community facilities with the aid of helpers. This challenging activity provides a strong awareness of the various accessibility hardships genuinely faced by the elderly.  

Following their experience, students contributed feedback on active ageing issues, sharing their new insights and ideas on how urban design can be more inclusive to enable the elderly to stay active and remain healthy.

Professor Hendrick Tieben of the Schoool of Architecture, Chinese University of Hong Kong, leads the students. image: HKIUD

What shapes an elderly freindly environment? - image: HKIUD

image: HKIUD

image: BWPI

image: HKIUD

Which are the hazards in the urban environment?  

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Which may be the most needed supportive facilities for the elderly in Hong Kong urban environment? 

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What are the most prominent physical challenges for the elderly? 

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What might make the elderly happier in an urban setting? ​

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Is navigating in the urban environment easy for pedestrians?

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How safe is the HK urban environment for the elderly?

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What may be the most helpful in enhancing safety ?  

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Promoting urban design through accreditation, discussion and education. Core members are all existing members of associated professional bodies with a long and creditable association with urban design in Hong Kong.

Eldpathy adopts the strategy of “experiential learning”. Having gained personal experience of the living of the poor elderly, youths participating in the programme will understand the need of the elderly and be mobilised to take part in community services like food support.

​The School of Architecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is  committed to developing students’ core competency and critical thinking in order to achieve design creativity and leadership that enable lasting contributions to our built environment.

“Actions for Active Ageing - Ageing in the Hong Kong Urban Environment – 2nd Experiential Workshop" was held on 18 September 2018 and co-organised by: -

Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design; Chinese University of Hong Kong; Stanford University;
Tsinghua University; and
Hong Kong Design Institute

Equipment was generous provided by Herman Chan and Eldpathy

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