GERIATRIC FRIENDLY URBAN OPEN SPACES IN KERALA CONTEXT

Archana A S

Department of Architecture

TKM College of Engineering, (An Autonomous Institution)

Affiliated to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University

A person aged 65 years or above is conventionally regarded as elderly or belonging to the geriatric community as defined by WHO. There are several complex health states that occur as we age, commonly known as geriatric syndromes. As a result of multiple factors, they can include frailty, urinary incontinence, falls, dementia, pressure ulcers and mobility issues

Hence, they need both care and support not just from family but society for a healthy and prosperous life. Active ageing is a lifelong process characterized by many factors that contribute to health, participation, and security as we age. Active ageing can be encouraged by designing public spaces that are age-friendly and provide opportunities to promote health, participation, and security. Practically, an age-friendly open space enables older people with a range of needs and abilities to access and participate in it.

With booming urbanization and population increase the proportion of elderly people would reach high numbers in future especially in Kerala according to Census details. The needs and preferences of these people may differ from others and hence an inclusive design approach can only benefit them.

Open spaces have always been an inevitable part of social life in Kerala and aids in fostering community wellbeing. The research focusses on understanding the basic needs and features for geriatric community in open spaces, their preferences and evolving a set of parameters which is further utilized in analyzing and comparing the open space scenario in Kerala.

The main findings from the literature review and case studies aided in evolving a set of components – basic planning, nature connection, infrastructure, social inclusion, safety and security that has to be looked upon while designing urban open spaces in Kerala for creating an age inclusive public space and thus promote active ageing.

The research conducted to understand the elements of age inclusive open space design aided in deriving the design guidelines for geriatric community in open spaces of Kerala specifically. Additionally, enriching the open space scenario can evolve more community interaction among elderly and put their valuable resources into use and even reduce illness and mental health related problems due to ageing.

WHO - World Health Organization

UGS – Unattended Ground sensor

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

“The wisdom and experience of older people is a resource of inestimable worth. Recognizing and treasuring the contributions of older people is essential to the long-term flourishing of any society”

Daisaku Ikada

Public spaces are created for use of the community, improve their quality of life and foster human connections but as people age there is an increasing desire to be confined in their homes, in a so-called safe space to feel peace and security. As majority of the aged individuals suffer from dementia or mobility impairments stepping out unsupervised can be dangerous and difficult for them. It is thus particularly imperative to provide a supportive and enabling living environment for older people to compensate for the physical and social changes associated with aging. It was recognized as a priority direction in the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging endorsed by the United Nations in 2002.

The demographic transition in Kerala is rapid compared to the rest of the country along with booming urbanization. By 2036, the proportion of senior citizens (60 years and older) will increase from 16.5% (2021) to 23%. By then, every fifth individual will be a senior citizen

Taking care of the aging population in the future will require a holistic approach incorporating health care and socio-economic protection. We need to change the mindset of society to put a greater emphasis on quality of life. As a step, creating proper and inclusive public open spaces would become more significant in the case of Kerala to promote active ageing in place.

Hence the concept of age inclusive designs has to be adopted consciously in the coming years to evolve a healthy and prosperous society.

In spite of the fact that a typical design may not be conducive to the geriatric community, a few modifications could help create inclusive public spaces that can be accessed by all, ultimately improving the general health of the elderly.

1.1 Aim

To study and analyse the current scenario of public open spaces in Kerala and provide age inclusive design solutions involving the geriatric community.

1.2 Objectives

 To study the current features of public open spaces

 To identify the needs and preferences of aged people in public areas

 Analyse the activities of interest for aged community

 To evolve age inclusive design parameters in public open spaces

1.3 Scope and Limitations

1.3.1 Scope of the study

The research focusses on the study and analysis of basic planning considerations in open public spaces in urbanscapes and specify inclusive design parameters involving the geriatric community in Kerala context.

1.3.1 Limitations of the study

Due to the limited time of research the study is restricted to urban open spaces in Kerala context only