Population aging is a global demographic trend that has led to many societal challenges across the economic, socio-cultural, medical, and public health sectors. Intergenerational communities can help address some of these challenges by bringing mutual benefits to older adults and younger generations. However, scientific evidence that can guide how to create such communities is limited.
The third LAF Research Grant in Honor of Deb Mitchell was awarded to “Engagement by Design: Intergenerational Communities to Promote Social Equity and Healthy Aging in Place .” This 18-month research project utilized expert interviews, focus groups, and surveys to identify essential physical elements and features of intergenerational communities and their associations with intergenerational interactions, age-related social equity, and health among older adults and children.
In this webinar, the Principal Investigators will share their research process and present their findings. They will also introduce a series of Intergenerational Community Assessment Tool (iCAT) toolkits that include community-scale and site-scale assessment tools and checklists that provide practical guidance for designing (and retrofitting) mixed-age communities. The research represents an emerging area of practice at the intersection of design and public health where landscape architects can take a leading role.
Presenters/Principal Investigators:
Sinan Zhong, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Texas A&M University
Chanam Lee, PhD, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University