Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health; 2021:7;6
CASE STUDY
Age’n’dem: Age- and Dementia-Friendly Streetscapes Toolkit
Guy Luscombe (1) and Carmel Boyce (2)
(1) SYSTEM Architects, Sydney, Australia
(2) Equity Justice Access, Melbourne, Australia
(1) SYSTEM Architects, Sydney, Australia
(2) Equity Justice Access, Melbourne, Australia
Citation: Luscombe G, Boyce C (2021). Age'n'dem: Age- and dementia-friendly streetscapes toolkit. Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health 7;6
Abstract
The physiological, social and mental benefits of remaining in familiar surroundings while being able to get out and be active for people with dementia are well documented and the evidence strongly supports ageing in place. It is also clear that older people predominantly want to remain in their local communities. However, the design of streets and places do not always support or encourage older people, especially those with dementia, to venture out, causing them to be isolated and sedentary. Despite the evidence base and initiatives like the WHO Age Friendly Cities program (World Health Organisation, 2007; World Health Organization, 2007), there have been few ‘end user’ practical tools developed to translate evidence into materials that support designers in implementation. Age’n’dem: Age and Dementia Friendly Streetscapes Toolkit (Age’n’dem) (Luscombe & Architects Johannsen + Associates, 2016) was produced to support older people, particularly those with dementia, to continue to get out and be active in their local communities. It provides practical, evidence-based tools to assist those responsible for local neighbourhoods to plan, create and maintain places and spaces that are increasingly age and dementia friendly. Age’n’dem is designed with the end user in mind. It includes advice to guide users through the design process in a logical an engaging way from initial planning through to end details. Although the effectiveness of Age’n’dem approach has not yet been evaluated, the built form outcome, the demonstration project in Union Road Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia, has been recognised.
Introduction
Australia has one of the highest life expectancies in the world (World Bank, 2018). Consequently Australia has a growing ageing population, although the proportions of older people remain relatively modest in comparison to other Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016).
Older Australians want to remain in their own homes as they age (Mansour, 2016). At the same time increasing numbers of people are living with dementia, estimates were 298,000 in Australia in 2011 and projections for 900,000 by 2050 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012).
In Australia, like many other places, there is an ongoing emphasis on the provision of community care to help people remain living in the community rather than live in residential care (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012). Alzheimer Australia (N. Alzheimer’s Australia, 2013) estimates that 70% of people diagnosed with dementia live in their own homes, and one third live alone in the community.
Even if people change their housing as they grow older, they still want to remain in their own neighbourhoods (Mansour, 2016). There are many reasons: Older people often have long relationships with neighbours; are often heavily invested in local family and community life; and a local neighbourhood is familiar, known and comfortable. A new environment can be stressful and disorienting, particularly for someone with dementia. Thus, it is important that neighbourhoods are friendly and supportive of older people as they age in place.
The urban design of communities has a significant impact on an older person’s ability to age in place, to live comfortably and independently and to participate as active citizens. If, for example, streets are too busy, too noisy, too fast, too difficult to cross or too confusing, studies show they inhibit pedestrian use (Brookfield, Ward Thompson, & Scott, 2017; Garrard, 2013). Likewise, if there are no quiet places to rest or meet friends the environment will not support inclusive community life (Sturge et al., 2021). Access to supportive infrastructure such as toilets is important in facilitating older women’s engagement in the public realm.
Older people may also be discouraged from going out into their local community by their perception of how safe it is. The prospect of falling because of uneven pavements, badly maintained footpaths, not being able to sit when needed, poor street lighting and other hazards can be enough to keep someone from venturing out (Brookfield et al., 2017). Creating more increasingly age and dementia friendly streets and places will help people age in place.
What can be done?
As more people are living in denser urban environments, there is an increasing realisation that to be inclusive, neighbourhoods and town centres need to become increasingly age and dementia friendly.
Two distinct elements are important. Creating communities that encourage sitting and engaging with the neighbourhood can foster a vibrant local street life and include people of all abilities (Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2005; National Heart Foundation, 2004; SA Active Living Coalition & Heart Foundation, 2012). Environments which encourage walking also act to support healthy ageing and could help delay dementia onset (Boyce & Tight, 2014; Erickson et al., 2011; Forsyth, Asensio-Villoria, Mah, & Smead L., 2015; Garrard, 2013; National Physical Advisory Committee, 2009).
Improving the ability for people to get out and about and engage with their local community can help combat isolation and loneliness by making it easier for older people to be with, meet up with, and be involved in community activities including volunteering, taking classes, and participating in hobbies and sports. Encouraging independent mobility into older age in populated areas with informal surveillance by neighbours and local shopkeepers can provide a level of incidental care for people with low levels of dementia ensuring they are visible, safe and noticed.
While the effects of the environment on people with dementia are complex, there is sufficient evidence to show that places and spaces designed to be dementia friendly have a positive effect (Judd, Marshall, Phippen, & Dowle, 1998; Zeisel et al., 2003).
The principles of familiarity, human scale, visual access and way finding, reducing confusing stimuli and reinforcing positive stimuli are well accepted desirable features of dementia-friendly environments (Richard Fleming, Goodenough, Low, Chenoweth, & Brodaty, 2014). These principles are increasingly being used in the design of dementia-specific care buildings (R. Fleming & Bowles, 1987; R. Fleming & Purandare, 2010; R. Fleming, Zeisel, & Bennet, 2020) and in ‘dementia gardens’, but they have not been widely applied to the design of public spaces. This is possibly because there isn’t a lot of evidence but also because urban environments are far less contained and more complex than a building or a garden. Many of the initiatives to make communities more dementia-friendly are also short on good practical, evidence-based design advice, preferring more general guidance (Alzheimer’s Australia, 2016; Burton & Mitchell, 2006; COTA NSW, 2013; Municipal Association of Victoria, 2009; World Health Organisation, 2007).
Using available data and with some considered tweaking in design and implementation and an informed approach to remediation, local neighbourhoods - the streets and places where people live, shop and engage - can be vibrant, accessible and supportive for everyone, but especially for older people and those living with dementia. Like some of the more recent literature (R. Fleming et al., 2020; Kuliga, Berwig, & Roes, 2021) Age’n’dem seeks to provide bridge the gap and assist in the integration of literature, general guidance and application in place by inserting older people’s voices into the conversation.
The Initiative
With a relatively high proportion of older people living within its inner ring location in Melbourne, Australia, Moonee Valley City Council (Council) recognised the need to improve its local town centres for older people and people living with dementia. In 2016, using funding under Victoria’s State Dementia Plan (Department of Health, 2014), Council developed the toolkit concept to help it address and respond more directly to the needs of these citizens. Because a high proportion of older, single women live alone abutting the Union Road, Ascot Vale shopping precinct and are projected to be living with dementia by 2050, (Access Economics, 2010; Boyce, 2014), it was chosen as the focus.
Age’n’dem provides practical evidence-based guidance for designing inclusive and accessible streetscapes for older citizens and those living with dementia. Age’n’dem gives advice on the most critical issues faced for people as they venture out and about and guidelines on how to make streets and neighbourhoods more age and dementia friendly for them. Age’n’dem is designed to be easily accessible and simple to read for a variety of audiences, from citizens in the community to people working across all social and built environment disciplines but has four primary uses:
Older Australians want to remain in their own homes as they age (Mansour, 2016). At the same time increasing numbers of people are living with dementia, estimates were 298,000 in Australia in 2011 and projections for 900,000 by 2050 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012).
In Australia, like many other places, there is an ongoing emphasis on the provision of community care to help people remain living in the community rather than live in residential care (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012). Alzheimer Australia (N. Alzheimer’s Australia, 2013) estimates that 70% of people diagnosed with dementia live in their own homes, and one third live alone in the community.
Even if people change their housing as they grow older, they still want to remain in their own neighbourhoods (Mansour, 2016). There are many reasons: Older people often have long relationships with neighbours; are often heavily invested in local family and community life; and a local neighbourhood is familiar, known and comfortable. A new environment can be stressful and disorienting, particularly for someone with dementia. Thus, it is important that neighbourhoods are friendly and supportive of older people as they age in place.
The urban design of communities has a significant impact on an older person’s ability to age in place, to live comfortably and independently and to participate as active citizens. If, for example, streets are too busy, too noisy, too fast, too difficult to cross or too confusing, studies show they inhibit pedestrian use (Brookfield, Ward Thompson, & Scott, 2017; Garrard, 2013). Likewise, if there are no quiet places to rest or meet friends the environment will not support inclusive community life (Sturge et al., 2021). Access to supportive infrastructure such as toilets is important in facilitating older women’s engagement in the public realm.
Older people may also be discouraged from going out into their local community by their perception of how safe it is. The prospect of falling because of uneven pavements, badly maintained footpaths, not being able to sit when needed, poor street lighting and other hazards can be enough to keep someone from venturing out (Brookfield et al., 2017). Creating more increasingly age and dementia friendly streets and places will help people age in place.
What can be done?
As more people are living in denser urban environments, there is an increasing realisation that to be inclusive, neighbourhoods and town centres need to become increasingly age and dementia friendly.
Two distinct elements are important. Creating communities that encourage sitting and engaging with the neighbourhood can foster a vibrant local street life and include people of all abilities (Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2005; National Heart Foundation, 2004; SA Active Living Coalition & Heart Foundation, 2012). Environments which encourage walking also act to support healthy ageing and could help delay dementia onset (Boyce & Tight, 2014; Erickson et al., 2011; Forsyth, Asensio-Villoria, Mah, & Smead L., 2015; Garrard, 2013; National Physical Advisory Committee, 2009).
Improving the ability for people to get out and about and engage with their local community can help combat isolation and loneliness by making it easier for older people to be with, meet up with, and be involved in community activities including volunteering, taking classes, and participating in hobbies and sports. Encouraging independent mobility into older age in populated areas with informal surveillance by neighbours and local shopkeepers can provide a level of incidental care for people with low levels of dementia ensuring they are visible, safe and noticed.
While the effects of the environment on people with dementia are complex, there is sufficient evidence to show that places and spaces designed to be dementia friendly have a positive effect (Judd, Marshall, Phippen, & Dowle, 1998; Zeisel et al., 2003).
The principles of familiarity, human scale, visual access and way finding, reducing confusing stimuli and reinforcing positive stimuli are well accepted desirable features of dementia-friendly environments (Richard Fleming, Goodenough, Low, Chenoweth, & Brodaty, 2014). These principles are increasingly being used in the design of dementia-specific care buildings (R. Fleming & Bowles, 1987; R. Fleming & Purandare, 2010; R. Fleming, Zeisel, & Bennet, 2020) and in ‘dementia gardens’, but they have not been widely applied to the design of public spaces. This is possibly because there isn’t a lot of evidence but also because urban environments are far less contained and more complex than a building or a garden. Many of the initiatives to make communities more dementia-friendly are also short on good practical, evidence-based design advice, preferring more general guidance (Alzheimer’s Australia, 2016; Burton & Mitchell, 2006; COTA NSW, 2013; Municipal Association of Victoria, 2009; World Health Organisation, 2007).
Using available data and with some considered tweaking in design and implementation and an informed approach to remediation, local neighbourhoods - the streets and places where people live, shop and engage - can be vibrant, accessible and supportive for everyone, but especially for older people and those living with dementia. Like some of the more recent literature (R. Fleming et al., 2020; Kuliga, Berwig, & Roes, 2021) Age’n’dem seeks to provide bridge the gap and assist in the integration of literature, general guidance and application in place by inserting older people’s voices into the conversation.
The Initiative
With a relatively high proportion of older people living within its inner ring location in Melbourne, Australia, Moonee Valley City Council (Council) recognised the need to improve its local town centres for older people and people living with dementia. In 2016, using funding under Victoria’s State Dementia Plan (Department of Health, 2014), Council developed the toolkit concept to help it address and respond more directly to the needs of these citizens. Because a high proportion of older, single women live alone abutting the Union Road, Ascot Vale shopping precinct and are projected to be living with dementia by 2050, (Access Economics, 2010; Boyce, 2014), it was chosen as the focus.
Age’n’dem provides practical evidence-based guidance for designing inclusive and accessible streetscapes for older citizens and those living with dementia. Age’n’dem gives advice on the most critical issues faced for people as they venture out and about and guidelines on how to make streets and neighbourhoods more age and dementia friendly for them. Age’n’dem is designed to be easily accessible and simple to read for a variety of audiences, from citizens in the community to people working across all social and built environment disciplines but has four primary uses:
- As a resource for councils and built environment contractors.
- For planning to guide Local Environment Plans; Development Control Plans and Local Council Ageing Strategy.
- For infrastructure design and maintenance when upgrading local infrastructure.
- As an auditing tool and checklist for assessing compliance with age- and dementia-friendly design principles and ongoing performance against those principles.
Methodology and structure
Age’n’dem is based on data drawn from Council, literature searches, research bodies and advocacy groups and other similar initiatives and experiences in Australia and overseas. It incorporates consultation and feedback from a wide range of sources and stakeholders including: Victorian Councils through the Municipal Association of Victoria Positive Ageing Network; Moonee Valley City Council Healthy Ageing Reference Group participants; and Council’s built environment professionals. Older residents provided their direct feedback on environments through a number of dedicated workshops (and ‘walkshops’) exploring topics including what made a street attractive, and what aspects made life more difficult. (Fig1, 2, 3).
Although Council had some collected some previous data from resident and traders’ views on the streetscape through customer service records and initial design assessments with local residents, targeted ‘walkshops’ relied on older people self-identifying issues and solutions as they identified them in the streetscape. ‘Walkshop’ participants were drawn from older people the local population, including library users, delivered meals clients and members of the U3A. Participants were provided some initial instructions and then a group of four including a note taker walked along the street pointing out and discussing the conditions. Group notes were consolidated. Separately residents were provided with an outline of an intersection in the streetscape and asked to add elements they thought would be supportive. All participants presented their work back to the group.
Although Council had some collected some previous data from resident and traders’ views on the streetscape through customer service records and initial design assessments with local residents, targeted ‘walkshops’ relied on older people self-identifying issues and solutions as they identified them in the streetscape. ‘Walkshop’ participants were drawn from older people the local population, including library users, delivered meals clients and members of the U3A. Participants were provided some initial instructions and then a group of four including a note taker walked along the street pointing out and discussing the conditions. Group notes were consolidated. Separately residents were provided with an outline of an intersection in the streetscape and asked to add elements they thought would be supportive. All participants presented their work back to the group.
Figure 1: A ‘walkshop’ in Union Road, Ascot Vale. (photo: Moonee Valley Council participants agreed to be photographed
Figure 2: User reference group co design workshop (photo: Moonee Valley Council participants agreed to be photographed)
Figure 3: User reference group co design workshop
All the data were compiled and then correlated into similar themes and sorted. The design process was led by stakeholder issues analysis. The first stage gathered the issues, developed responses and advice then fed back through a second round of workshops and presentations, for further development. In total, 94 practical guidelines (the ‘tools’) were developed and sorted into 15 topics. These topics were further categorised into four sections, ordered in a typical project delivery sequence to make them easier to locate and navigate.
To make what could be just another guide engaging, Age’n’dem employed a storyline device and based the guidance around ‘a day in the life’ of a typical older resident called “Maria”. The storyline approach had a number of targets, it provided an opportunity for Council Officers, perhaps without any lived experience of dementia or mobility challenges to put themselves in others shoes, and better understand public realm decision-making processes from another perspective. The storyline made the guide attractive and accessible to older people and community members who we hoped might use it to develop a broader palette of skills ideas and solutions when working on other streetscapes with Council.
Within each of the four sections the storyline follows Maria through her day, with light hearted cartoon scenarios to illustrate specific issues she may face alongside the 94 objectives and guidelines on how to apply them with illustrative practical examples and photographs. Care was taken to illustrate how the tools also work across other population groups to show that an age-and-dementia-friendly community is a community friendly to all.
To make what could be just another guide engaging, Age’n’dem employed a storyline device and based the guidance around ‘a day in the life’ of a typical older resident called “Maria”. The storyline approach had a number of targets, it provided an opportunity for Council Officers, perhaps without any lived experience of dementia or mobility challenges to put themselves in others shoes, and better understand public realm decision-making processes from another perspective. The storyline made the guide attractive and accessible to older people and community members who we hoped might use it to develop a broader palette of skills ideas and solutions when working on other streetscapes with Council.
Within each of the four sections the storyline follows Maria through her day, with light hearted cartoon scenarios to illustrate specific issues she may face alongside the 94 objectives and guidelines on how to apply them with illustrative practical examples and photographs. Care was taken to illustrate how the tools also work across other population groups to show that an age-and-dementia-friendly community is a community friendly to all.
Figure 4: The “How to use this toolkit” page spread
The four sections are:
1. “I have to go up the street…” (Planning)
This section looks at Maria’s attitude to the prospect of going out for a walk or to do some chores – ‘mapping’ the way including advice about planning and layout; security; and pets. Eg: Can I walk? How far do I need to go? How much of an effort is it? Will it be safe? Will it be pleasant? Can I take the dog?
2. There and back again (Design)
This section looks at Maria’s overall experience of the journey, and interaction with the gigger elements about buildings and landscape, landmarks, open space and trees and planting. Eg: What are the local features along the way that make it easier? Is there a park? Is there activity? Can I meet with friends?
3. Easy walking (Construction)
This section is about the specific walking experience for Maria – including advice on access-related urban design intervention structures such as footpaths, level changes, crossings and building entrances. Eg: Is the footpath easy to walk on? Am I concerned about anything like tripping or falling? Are the places I want to go easy to access?
4. Out and about (Other Details)
This section identifies other factors that can improve Maria’s experience of being out and about and participating in her community – including advice about seating, toilets, signage and lighting. Eg: Are there rest spots? What if I need to go to the toilet? Is there lighting if I am out late?
Age’n’dem is not intended to be prescriptive (i.e. what should be done); rather, it takes a more person-centred approach (i.e. what a person needs). It is also not meant to be the final word, but is a good starting point in creating more inclusive places for older adults and people living with dementia.
1. “I have to go up the street…” (Planning)
This section looks at Maria’s attitude to the prospect of going out for a walk or to do some chores – ‘mapping’ the way including advice about planning and layout; security; and pets. Eg: Can I walk? How far do I need to go? How much of an effort is it? Will it be safe? Will it be pleasant? Can I take the dog?
2. There and back again (Design)
This section looks at Maria’s overall experience of the journey, and interaction with the gigger elements about buildings and landscape, landmarks, open space and trees and planting. Eg: What are the local features along the way that make it easier? Is there a park? Is there activity? Can I meet with friends?
3. Easy walking (Construction)
This section is about the specific walking experience for Maria – including advice on access-related urban design intervention structures such as footpaths, level changes, crossings and building entrances. Eg: Is the footpath easy to walk on? Am I concerned about anything like tripping or falling? Are the places I want to go easy to access?
4. Out and about (Other Details)
This section identifies other factors that can improve Maria’s experience of being out and about and participating in her community – including advice about seating, toilets, signage and lighting. Eg: Are there rest spots? What if I need to go to the toilet? Is there lighting if I am out late?
Age’n’dem is not intended to be prescriptive (i.e. what should be done); rather, it takes a more person-centred approach (i.e. what a person needs). It is also not meant to be the final word, but is a good starting point in creating more inclusive places for older adults and people living with dementia.
Impact and use
Pilot project
The Age’n’dem toolkit was always intended to be a practical guide to assist the Council when planning, designing, maintaining and auditing their program of works. It was piloted in a streetscape upgrade in Union Road, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, as part of the Moonee Valley Council Activity Centre Street Upgrade program. The work is ongoing with the first stage completed in 2019.
The Local Council is planning to carry out a post occupancy evaluation as part of a program to implement in other areas.
The project has been recognised in two awards programs. Firstly, by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), receiving the 2020 Victorian Chapter Award for Civic Landscape. It was also a finalist in the 2020 Keeping Victoria Beautiful Sustainable Cities Award for Social Well Being.
The Age’n’dem toolkit was always intended to be a practical guide to assist the Council when planning, designing, maintaining and auditing their program of works. It was piloted in a streetscape upgrade in Union Road, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, as part of the Moonee Valley Council Activity Centre Street Upgrade program. The work is ongoing with the first stage completed in 2019.
The Local Council is planning to carry out a post occupancy evaluation as part of a program to implement in other areas.
The project has been recognised in two awards programs. Firstly, by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), receiving the 2020 Victorian Chapter Award for Civic Landscape. It was also a finalist in the 2020 Keeping Victoria Beautiful Sustainable Cities Award for Social Well Being.
Figure 5: Side street crossings prioritised pedestrians: reducing the width, raising level crossings, installing tactile indicators. Note the distinctive seating, a different colour at each intersection, as a further wayfinding device. (photo: Carmel Boyce
But perhaps the best assessment has been anecdotal from two local residents. One remarking that “she would never go out without the changes that have been done”. The other, who was on the user reference group, stating that she was very pleased because everything she had wanted had been done.
Wider acceptance
Although partly funded by Moonee Valley Council, the toolkit was also funded by the State Government it was developed to be used more widely and remains a publicly accessible document on Council’s website. The authors have advocated for the Toolkit at various conferences and in journal articles and continue to do so. However without formal evaluation the value of the toolkit will remain unknown.
‘Street Doctor’.
One of the purposes of the Age’n’dem toolkit is as an auditing device and in this mode it could have impact is as a diagnostic tool to measure the ‘health’ of a local neighbourhood centre, as a kind of ‘street doctor’, to ‘diagnose’ issues and guide future upgrades. The checklist style set out would facilitate an easy auditing and diagnostic format. It could also be used as part of a post occupancy evaluation (Zimring, 1989) process for neighbourhood activity centre streetscape upgrades.
Ongoing development
The final outcome envisaged was ongoing feedback and development. This is the first known work of its kind – i.e. practical guidance for making streets and public outdoor spaces more dementia friendly - and while important, is not definitive. The evidence was gathered from a multitude of sources and, in some cases, selectively ‘applied’ to situations. To foster future healthy, sustainable and inclusive urban environments, more needs to done to develop and fine tune the advice so that it can be considered as a normal part of any future neighbourhood design and upgrade project.
Wider acceptance
Although partly funded by Moonee Valley Council, the toolkit was also funded by the State Government it was developed to be used more widely and remains a publicly accessible document on Council’s website. The authors have advocated for the Toolkit at various conferences and in journal articles and continue to do so. However without formal evaluation the value of the toolkit will remain unknown.
‘Street Doctor’.
One of the purposes of the Age’n’dem toolkit is as an auditing device and in this mode it could have impact is as a diagnostic tool to measure the ‘health’ of a local neighbourhood centre, as a kind of ‘street doctor’, to ‘diagnose’ issues and guide future upgrades. The checklist style set out would facilitate an easy auditing and diagnostic format. It could also be used as part of a post occupancy evaluation (Zimring, 1989) process for neighbourhood activity centre streetscape upgrades.
Ongoing development
The final outcome envisaged was ongoing feedback and development. This is the first known work of its kind – i.e. practical guidance for making streets and public outdoor spaces more dementia friendly - and while important, is not definitive. The evidence was gathered from a multitude of sources and, in some cases, selectively ‘applied’ to situations. To foster future healthy, sustainable and inclusive urban environments, more needs to done to develop and fine tune the advice so that it can be considered as a normal part of any future neighbourhood design and upgrade project.
Age’n’dem is freely available at: http://www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/planning-and-building/long-term-planning-in-moonee-valley/activity-centre-planning/union-road-activity-centre.aspx. It is simple to use without training. Everyone who is interested in making local streets, neighbourhoods and town centres more age and dementia friendly is encouraged to use it as a resource to assist them and to analyse, test, collect feedback and develop to guide improvements.
About the Authors
Guy Luscombe, B.Sc. (Arch), B.Arch., RAIA, is an architect and advocate for better design for older people. He has designed a multitude of projects for older people at all levels of care, has written extensively and is a regular and sought after commentator on the design of age friendly environments. He was co-editor of the book 'Beyond Beige: Improving architecture for older people and people with disabilities' and author of ‘The NANA Project – New architecture for the New Aged’ the result of a travelling scholarship. He founded Agency Cohousing and Community, a community organization seeking new ways to age in place and has taught at USyd, UNSW UTS and WSU. He is currently the Sydney, Australia, Director of SYSTEM Architects, a New York based architectural studio.
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Carmel Boyce, B.Arts (Hons), MUP, is a Melbourne based social planner who has worked both as a consultant and within local governments for more than 20 years to develop inclusive cross-portfolio approaches and projects to improve Council staff's understanding of what makes an environment more walkable for more people . With the assistance of engineers, urban designers, disability specialists, age and children's policy officers, maintenance staff, transport engineers and architects she has developed led toolkit development projects to support walkable environments in coastal settings for older people, in peri-urban environments connecting people to place, in socio-economically disadvantaged areas promoting physical activity, and in inner urban environments promoting inclusive access and mobility. Many projects and toolkits have been recognised by the Planning Institute of Australia, the Heart Foundation and the Victorian Coastal Council both for the collaborative process and the importance of the product.
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References
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Garrard, J. (2013). Senior Victorians and walking: obstacles and opportunities, Final Report. Retrieved from Melbourne, : http://www.victoriawalks.org.au/Assets/Files/FINALSeniorsFullReport.pdf
Judd, S., Marshall, M., Phippen, P., & Dowle, J. (Eds.). (1998). Design for dementia. London: Hawker Publications.
Kuliga, S., Berwig, M., & Roes, M. (2021). Wayfinding in People with Alzheimer’s Disease: Perspective Taking and Architectural Cognition—A Vision Paper on Future Dementia Care Research Opportunities. Sustainability, 13(3). doi:10.3390/su13031084
Luscombe, G., & Architects Johannsen + Associates. (2016). Age’n’dem, Age And Dementia Friendly Streetscapes Toolkit. Retrieved from Moonee Ponds: http://www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/planning-and-building/long-term-planning-in-moonee-valley/activity-centre-planning/union-road-activity-centre.aspx
Mansour, G. (2016). Ageing Is Everyone’s Business, A Report On Isolation And Loneliness Among Senior Victorians. Retrieved from Melbourne https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/-/media/seniors/files/commissioner-for-senior-victorians/ageing-is-everyones-businessweb.pdf?la=en&hash=E7A9C37DB2DEA4D1ACDA9EE2D52670C644B24635
Municipal Association of Victoria. (2009). The World Health Organization Global Age Friendly Cities Guide and Checklist - A Review of their Use by Local Government. Retrieved from Melbourne: http://edit.mav.asn.au/policy-services/social-community/ageing-disability/ageing/Documents/WHO%20global%20age-friendly%20cities%20guide%20and%20checklist%20-%20a%20review%20of%20their%20use%20by%20local%20government.docx
National Heart Foundation. (2004). Healthy By Design: A planners’ guide. Guide to environments for active living. Retrieved from Melbourne: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/images/uploads/main/Programs/Healthy-by-Design-a-planners-guide-to-environments-for-active-living-web.pdf
National Physical Advisory Committee. (2009). Position statement: The built environment and walking. Retrieved from Melbourne: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/images/uploads/publications/Built-environment-position-statement.pdf
SA Active Living Coalition, & Heart Foundation. (2012). Streets For People: Compendium For South Australian Practice. Retrieved from Adelaide: https://www.healthybydesignsa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/16649%20StreetforPeopleCompendium_full.pdf
Sturge, J., Nordin, S., Sussana Patil, D., Jones, A., Legare, F., Elf, M., & Meijering, L. (2021). Features of the social and built environment that contribute to the well-being of people with dementia who live at home: A scoping review. Health Place, 67, 102483. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102483
World Bank. (2018). Life expectancy at birth, total (years) [United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, or derived from male and female life expectancy at birth.]. Retrieved from: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?year_high_desc=trueand
World Health Organisation. (2007). Global age friendly cities Guide. Retrieved from Geneva.
World Health Organization. (2007). Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities. Retrieved from Geneva: http://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Age_friendly_cities_checklist.pdf?ua=1
Zeisel, J., Silverstein, N. M., Hyde, J., Levkoff, S., Lawton, M. P., & Holmes, W. (2003). Environmental correlates to behavioral health outcomes in Alzheimer’s special care units. Gerontologist, 43(5), 697–711. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication262112642_The_relationship_between_the_quality_of_the_built_environment_and_the_quality_of_life_of_people_with_dementia_in_residential_care
Zimring, C. M. (1989). Post-Occupancy Evaluation and Implicit Theory: An Overview. In W. F. E. Preiser (Ed.), Building Evaluation. Boston, MA.: Springer.