Creativity based on new technologies in design of age-friendly cities: Polish seniors about their needs – research reflection
Abstract
The identified changes in age structure on a global and local scale pose a major challenge for modern societies. And so, the issue of adapting urban spaces to the needs of older people has become of particular interest. But the intensity of changes requires a creative approach to this matter. One of the responses to this phenomenon has been the World Health Organization proposal to build age-friendly cities and communities. It details how to effectively reduce social and spatial exclusion experienced by older people. Importantly, the needs of the elderly are increasingly being taken into consideration during the design process. This article provides the theoretical explanation of the issues related to the creative solutions based on new technologies in the perspective of building an age-friendly city. The empirical section presents selected survey results conducted among Polish seniors which focus on three main aspects of new technologies: the current importance for seniors; the current state of solutions in the city; the predicted importance in the future.
Keyword : age-friendly cities, ageing, design, new technologies, seniors
How to Cite
Dutka, G., Gawron, G., & Rojek-Adamek, P. (2021). Creativity based on new technologies in design of age-friendly cities: Polish seniors about their needs – research reflection. Creativity Studies, 14(1), 218-234. https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2021.13592
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Buffel, T., Phillipson, Ch., & Scharf, Th. (2012). Ageing in urban environments: developing “age-friendly” cities. Critical Social Policy, 32(4), 597–617. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018311430457
Cammen, van der T. J. M., Albayrak, A., Voûte, E., & Molenbroek, J. F. M. (2017). New horizons in design for autonomous ageing. Age and Ageing, 46(1), 11–17.
Carpenter, B. D., & Buday, S. (2007). Computer use among older adults in a naturally occurring retirement community. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(6), 3012–3024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2006.08.015
Cattaneo, M., Malighetti, P., & Spinelli, D. (2016). The impact of university of the third age courses on ICT adoption. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 613–619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.087
Charness, N., & Boot, W. R. (2009). Aging and information technology use: potential and barriers. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(5), 253–258. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01647.x
Chiu, Ch.-J., & Liu, Ch.-W. (2017). Understanding older adult’s technology adoption and withdrawal for elderly care and education: mixed method analysis from national survey. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(11). https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7401
Cody, M. J., Dunn, D., Hoppin, Sh., & Wendt, P. 1999. Silver surfers: training and evaluating internet use among older adult learners. Communication Education, 48(4), 269–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634529909379178
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. (2006). The Principles of inclusive design (they include you). https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/the-principlesof-inclusive-design.pdf
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Damodaran, L., Olphert, W., & Phipps, S. (2013). Keeping silver surfers on the crest of a wave: older people’s ICT learning and support needs. Working with Older People, 17(1), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.1108/13663661311312566
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Friemel, Th. N. (2016). The digital divide has grown old: determinants of a digital divide among seniors. New Media and Society, 18(2), 313–331. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444814538648
Fuente Suárez, de la L. A. (2013). Architecture: the design of an experience. LIMES: Borderland Studies, 6(1), 1–20.
Gallistl, V., Rohner, R., Seifert, A., & Wanka, A. (2020). Configuring the older non-user: between research, policy and practice of digital exclusion. Social Inclusion, 8(2), 233–243. https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v8i2.2607
Gawron, G., & Rojek-Adamek, P. (2017). Aging in place: design w obronie wieku. Kultura Popularna, 2(52), 4–18. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.7046
Hogeboom, D. L., McDermott, R. J., Perrin, K. M., Osman, H., & Bell-Ellison, B. A. (2010). Internet use and social networking among middle aged and older adults. Educational Gerontology, 36(2), 93–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601270903058507
Hussain, D., Ross, P., & Bednar, P. (2017). The perception of the benefits and drawbacks of internet usage by the elderly people. In C. Rossignoli, F. Virili, & S. Za (Eds.), Digital technology and organizational change: reshaping technology, people, and organizations towards a global society (pp. 199–212). Series: Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation. Vol. 23. Springer.
Kamin, S. T., Lang, F. R., & Beyer, A. (2017). Subjective technology adaptivity predicts technology use in old age. Gerontology, 63(4), 385–392. https://doi.org/10.1159/000471802
Lee, B., Chen, Y., & Hewitt, L. (2011). Age differences in constraints encountered by seniors in their use of computers and the interne. Computers in Human Behavior, 27(3), 1231–1237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2011.01.003
Lelkes, O. (2013). Happier and less isolated: internet use in old age. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 21(1), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.1332/175982713X664047
Lifshitz, R., Nimrod, G., & Bachner, Y. G. (2018). Internet use and well-being in later life: a functional approach. Aging and Mental Health, 22(1), 85–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2016.1232370
Mace, R. L. (1998). Universal design in housing. Assistive Technology: The Official Journal of RESNA, 10(1), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.1998.10131957
Mace, R. L., Young, L. C., & Telles, C. (1980). Planner’s guide to barrier free meetings. Barrier Free Environment and Harold Russell Association.
Marston, H. R., & Hoof, van J. (2019). “Who doesn’t think about technology when designing urban environments for older people?” A case study approach to a proposed extension of the WHO’s age-friendly cities model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193525
Nimrod, G. (2014). The benefits of and constraints to participation in seniors’ online communities. Leisure Studies, 33(3), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2012.697697
Ramón-Jerónimo, M. A., Peral-Peral, B., & Arenas-Gaitán, J. (2013). Elderly persons and internet use. Social Science Computer Review, 31(4), 389–403. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439312473421
Reisdorf, B. C., & Groselj, D. (2017). Internet (non-)use types and motivational access: implications for digital inequalities research. New Media and Society, 19(8), 1157–1176. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444815621539
Schulz, R., Wahl, H.-W., Matthews, J. T., Vito Dabbs, De A., Beach, S. R., & Czaja, S. J. (2015). Advancing the aging and technology agenda in gerontology. The Gerontologist, 55(5), 724–734. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnu071
Shapira, N., Barak, A., & Gal, I. (2007). Promoting older adults’ well-being through internet training and use. Aging and Mental Health, 11(5), 477–484. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860601086546
Taha, J., Sharit, J., & Czaja, S. (2009). Use of and satisfaction with sources of health information among older internet users and nonusers. The Gerontologist, 49(5), 663–673. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp058
Torku, A., Chan, A. P. C., & Yung, E. H. K. (Forthcoming). Implementation of age-friendly initiatives in smart cities: probing the barriers through a systematic review. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, (ahead-of-print).
Torku, A., Ping Chuen Chan, A., & Hiu Kwan Yung, E. (2020). Age-friendly cities and communities: a review and future directions. CORRIGENDUM. Ageing and Society, First View, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X2000094X
Urząd Statystyczny w Katowicach. (1995–2020). Ludność, ruch naturalny i migracje w województwie śląskim w 2019 r. https://katowice.stat.gov.pl/publikacje-i-foldery/ludnosc/ludnosc-ruch-naturalnyi-migracje-w-wojewodztwie-slaskim-w-2019-r-,2,18.html#
Urząd Statystyczny w Katowicach. (1995–2019). Statystyczne Vademecum Samorządowca – Miasta Rybnik. https://katowice.stat.gov.pl/statystyczne-vademecum-samorzadowca/
Wagner, N., Hassanein, K., & Head, M. (2010). Computer use by older adults: a multi-disciplinary review. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(5), 870–882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.03.029
Wanka, A., & Gallistl, V. (2018). Doing age in a digitized world – a material praxeology of ageing with technology. Frontiers in Sociology, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2018.00006
Wilson, C. (2018). Is it love or loneliness? Exploring the impact of everyday digital technology use on the wellbeing of older adults. Ageing and Society, 38, 1307–1331. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X16001537
Winkowska, J., Szpilko, D., & Pejić, S. (2019). Smart city concept in the light of the literature review. Engineering Management in Production and Services, 11(2), 70–86. https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2019-0012
World Health Organization. (2021). About the global network for age-friendly cities and communities. https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/who-network/
World Health Organization. (2017). Age-friendly environments in Europe: a handbook of domains for policy action. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/334251/9789289052887-eng.pdf
World Health Organization. (2007). Global age-friendly cities: a guide. https://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Global_age_friendly_cities_Guide_English.pdf
Barbosa Neves, B., Amaro, F., & Fonseca, J. R. S. (2013). Coming of (Old) Age in the digital age: ICT usage and non-usage among older adults. Sociological Research Online, 18(2), 22–35. https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.2998
Bourgeois-Bougrine, S., Latorre, S., & Mourey, F. (2018). Promoting creative imagination of non-expressed needs: exploring a combined approach to enhance design thinking. Creativity Studies, 11(2), 377–394. https://doi.org/10.3846/cs.2018.7184
Broady, T., Chan, A., & Caputi, P. (2010). Comparison of older and younger adults’ attitudes towards and abilities with computers: implications for training and learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(3), 473–485. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00914.x
Buffel, T., Phillipson, Ch., & Scharf, Th. (2012). Ageing in urban environments: developing “age-friendly” cities. Critical Social Policy, 32(4), 597–617. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018311430457
Cammen, van der T. J. M., Albayrak, A., Voûte, E., & Molenbroek, J. F. M. (2017). New horizons in design for autonomous ageing. Age and Ageing, 46(1), 11–17.
Carpenter, B. D., & Buday, S. (2007). Computer use among older adults in a naturally occurring retirement community. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(6), 3012–3024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2006.08.015
Cattaneo, M., Malighetti, P., & Spinelli, D. (2016). The impact of university of the third age courses on ICT adoption. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 613–619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.087
Charness, N., & Boot, W. R. (2009). Aging and information technology use: potential and barriers. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(5), 253–258. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01647.x
Chiu, Ch.-J., & Liu, Ch.-W. (2017). Understanding older adult’s technology adoption and withdrawal for elderly care and education: mixed method analysis from national survey. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(11). https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7401
Cody, M. J., Dunn, D., Hoppin, Sh., & Wendt, P. 1999. Silver surfers: training and evaluating internet use among older adult learners. Communication Education, 48(4), 269–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634529909379178
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. (2006). The Principles of inclusive design (they include you). https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/the-principlesof-inclusive-design.pdf
Czaja, S. J., Boot, W. R., Charness, N., & Rogers, W. A. (2019). Designing for older adults: principles and creative human factors approaches. Series: Human Factors and Aging Series. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b22189
Damodaran, L., Olphert, W., & Phipps, S. (2013). Keeping silver surfers on the crest of a wave: older people’s ICT learning and support needs. Working with Older People, 17(1), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.1108/13663661311312566
Eurostat. (2020). Individuals – internet use. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-datasets/-/isoc_ci_ifp_iu
Friemel, Th. N. (2016). The digital divide has grown old: determinants of a digital divide among seniors. New Media and Society, 18(2), 313–331. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444814538648
Fuente Suárez, de la L. A. (2013). Architecture: the design of an experience. LIMES: Borderland Studies, 6(1), 1–20.
Gallistl, V., Rohner, R., Seifert, A., & Wanka, A. (2020). Configuring the older non-user: between research, policy and practice of digital exclusion. Social Inclusion, 8(2), 233–243. https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v8i2.2607
Gawron, G., & Rojek-Adamek, P. (2017). Aging in place: design w obronie wieku. Kultura Popularna, 2(52), 4–18. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.7046
Hogeboom, D. L., McDermott, R. J., Perrin, K. M., Osman, H., & Bell-Ellison, B. A. (2010). Internet use and social networking among middle aged and older adults. Educational Gerontology, 36(2), 93–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601270903058507
Hussain, D., Ross, P., & Bednar, P. (2017). The perception of the benefits and drawbacks of internet usage by the elderly people. In C. Rossignoli, F. Virili, & S. Za (Eds.), Digital technology and organizational change: reshaping technology, people, and organizations towards a global society (pp. 199–212). Series: Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation. Vol. 23. Springer.
Kamin, S. T., Lang, F. R., & Beyer, A. (2017). Subjective technology adaptivity predicts technology use in old age. Gerontology, 63(4), 385–392. https://doi.org/10.1159/000471802
Lee, B., Chen, Y., & Hewitt, L. (2011). Age differences in constraints encountered by seniors in their use of computers and the interne. Computers in Human Behavior, 27(3), 1231–1237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2011.01.003
Lelkes, O. (2013). Happier and less isolated: internet use in old age. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 21(1), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.1332/175982713X664047
Lifshitz, R., Nimrod, G., & Bachner, Y. G. (2018). Internet use and well-being in later life: a functional approach. Aging and Mental Health, 22(1), 85–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2016.1232370
Mace, R. L. (1998). Universal design in housing. Assistive Technology: The Official Journal of RESNA, 10(1), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.1998.10131957
Mace, R. L., Young, L. C., & Telles, C. (1980). Planner’s guide to barrier free meetings. Barrier Free Environment and Harold Russell Association.
Marston, H. R., & Hoof, van J. (2019). “Who doesn’t think about technology when designing urban environments for older people?” A case study approach to a proposed extension of the WHO’s age-friendly cities model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193525
Nimrod, G. (2014). The benefits of and constraints to participation in seniors’ online communities. Leisure Studies, 33(3), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2012.697697
Ramón-Jerónimo, M. A., Peral-Peral, B., & Arenas-Gaitán, J. (2013). Elderly persons and internet use. Social Science Computer Review, 31(4), 389–403. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439312473421
Reisdorf, B. C., & Groselj, D. (2017). Internet (non-)use types and motivational access: implications for digital inequalities research. New Media and Society, 19(8), 1157–1176. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444815621539
Schulz, R., Wahl, H.-W., Matthews, J. T., Vito Dabbs, De A., Beach, S. R., & Czaja, S. J. (2015). Advancing the aging and technology agenda in gerontology. The Gerontologist, 55(5), 724–734. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnu071
Shapira, N., Barak, A., & Gal, I. (2007). Promoting older adults’ well-being through internet training and use. Aging and Mental Health, 11(5), 477–484. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860601086546
Taha, J., Sharit, J., & Czaja, S. (2009). Use of and satisfaction with sources of health information among older internet users and nonusers. The Gerontologist, 49(5), 663–673. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp058
Torku, A., Chan, A. P. C., & Yung, E. H. K. (Forthcoming). Implementation of age-friendly initiatives in smart cities: probing the barriers through a systematic review. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, (ahead-of-print).
Torku, A., Ping Chuen Chan, A., & Hiu Kwan Yung, E. (2020). Age-friendly cities and communities: a review and future directions. CORRIGENDUM. Ageing and Society, First View, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X2000094X
Urząd Statystyczny w Katowicach. (1995–2020). Ludność, ruch naturalny i migracje w województwie śląskim w 2019 r. https://katowice.stat.gov.pl/publikacje-i-foldery/ludnosc/ludnosc-ruch-naturalnyi-migracje-w-wojewodztwie-slaskim-w-2019-r-,2,18.html#
Urząd Statystyczny w Katowicach. (1995–2019). Statystyczne Vademecum Samorządowca – Miasta Rybnik. https://katowice.stat.gov.pl/statystyczne-vademecum-samorzadowca/
Wagner, N., Hassanein, K., & Head, M. (2010). Computer use by older adults: a multi-disciplinary review. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(5), 870–882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.03.029
Wanka, A., & Gallistl, V. (2018). Doing age in a digitized world – a material praxeology of ageing with technology. Frontiers in Sociology, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2018.00006
Wilson, C. (2018). Is it love or loneliness? Exploring the impact of everyday digital technology use on the wellbeing of older adults. Ageing and Society, 38, 1307–1331. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X16001537
Winkowska, J., Szpilko, D., & Pejić, S. (2019). Smart city concept in the light of the literature review. Engineering Management in Production and Services, 11(2), 70–86. https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2019-0012
World Health Organization. (2021). About the global network for age-friendly cities and communities. https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/who-network/
World Health Organization. (2017). Age-friendly environments in Europe: a handbook of domains for policy action. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/334251/9789289052887-eng.pdf
World Health Organization. (2007). Global age-friendly cities: a guide. https://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Global_age_friendly_cities_Guide_English.pdf