Jordan Chiang - Cal Poly SLO Thesis Proposal

intergenerational DEVELOPING A NEW MODEL FOR INTEGRATED SENIOR LIVING Jordan Chiang Cal Poly San Luis Obispo LA 401 - Research Project Prof. Joseph Ragsdale Spring 2020

It’s only abandonment if you do.

In many cultures, one of the major themes related to aging is the idea of ‘responsibility versus abandonment.’ Some make promises with loved ones, that they will never let them be taken to a longterm care option, and that they will always care for them themselves.

Other times, it is simply a deeply held cultural expectation, nonverbal but intensely present. Older adults may fear being placed in a nursing home or a senior living community because of worries of abandonment or loss of control. Unfortunately, in many cases the reality of the situation is that it is either impossible or very unrealistic for older adult care to be adequately provided in the home environment.

But why is it impossible to achieve both adequate healthcare for older adults and continued support of social health and interaction?

contents Abstract 05

CORE MATERIAL Project Description 08 Goals + Objectives

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Project Location 12 Site Location 13

CONTEXT + SUPPORT MATERIAL Contextual Issues 18 Demographics 22 User Profiles 24 Theoretical Positions 26 Precedent Studies 32 Rhetorical Efforts 38 Future Inquiries 40

REFERENCES Annotated Bibliography 44 Timeline + Professional Contacts 50

ABOUT INFO Cover Letter + Resume 52

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abstract Landscape architecture, sitting at the intersection between physical spaces and social needs, holds significant potential to address issues that older adults face in the physical, mental, and social aspects of life. Examining the health and wellbeing of aging Asian Americans in the San Gabriel Valley, CA, the impacts of an increasing older adult population and specific cultural values reveal a strain on the current system, and a deterioration of health outcomes for older adults. Ultimately, the current model of longterm older adult care as isolated places that enforce the silencing of older adults can and needs to be challenged, shifting the standard to a more integrated approach and improving the health of older adults, families, and caregivers.

Through the development of an integrated senior living campus and community hub, focusing on preventative holistic perspectives on health and intergenerational interaction, this project will pursue the change towards a modern, culturally sensitive, community-oriented approach to older adult health.

Image Credit: https://www.strongmarriagenow.com/5-date-ideasfor-may/happy-asian-senior-couple-exercising-in-thepark/

Abstract | 05

core material Project Description 08 Goals + Objectives 11 Project Location 12 Site Location 13

This section of writing serves to synthesize the preliminary research work done thus far, and should provide an improved understanding of the main issue this project seeks to address, and how that goal will be achieved. Due to the nature of the work being primarily introductory, the majority of the following information will be somewhat surface-level, with the future intent being to further explore these ideas and the way that they come together in the project.

Included here are a description of the proposed project, rationale for why the project is important, relevant, and necessary, preliminary goals and objectives, and an overview of the context and location of the selected site.

project description INTRODUCTION Looking towards the future, one of the major demographic trends that will have impacts on multiple sectors of society is the rapid expansion of the senior citizen population group. This is largely based on the aging of the Baby Boomer cohort, as well as improvements in understandings of health and lifestyle choices (Bartlett, 2020). The transition to a majority senior citizen population will place a significant strain on economic, sociocultural, and physical resources if the current standards of addressing aging and older adults are not reevaluated and modernized. Specifically looking at ways of integrating multicultural approaches to health and wellbeing in the increasingly diversifying United States, how can landscape architecture and environmental design assist in adjusting to this demographic transition?

Some opportunities in the addressing of this issue include the aforementioned diversification of the United States and the tangible future need for solutions to the senior care issue. With the increasing development of ‘ethnoburbs,’ or suburban communities with specifically strongly represented ethnic groups, there is a significant opportunity to explore different cultural approaches to health (Mele, Lin, & Lin, 2012). By exploring methods that connect to the surrounding cultural context, the current boundaries of environmental design for senior citizens can be expanded while still working within a realistic framework. In terms of the future need for improved solutions, because this transition is widely accepted, there are opportunities for the design to be forward-thinking, and for it to intersect with multiple different disciplines in order to create an improved holistic approach.

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On the other hand, some constraints that this project may face include space availability, suburban sprawl, social perceptions of aging, and balancing specified multicultural focuses with general applicability. As this project is currently intended to take the form of a small campus design, it will likely require at least some degree of available open space. Of course, there is also the option of finding and selecting a set of existing buildings and retrofitting them as a cohesive campus, but this scenario would likely limit the effectiveness of landscape-based efforts, and could also more readily result in gentrification. In order to best achieve the goal of integration between community hub activities and older adult care options, a site with adequate open space should be selected. This also ties into the constraint of suburban sprawl, as the project is intended to address issues of aging in suburban or ethnoburban communities; the perceived tendency for these neighborhoods to be fairly densely developed, or at the very least, densely privately owned, may be a major constraint.

In terms of social perceptions of aging, there may be a constraint in the public support realm due to ageist tendencies linked to the American socioeconomic system (Bartlett, 2020). Finally, the last general constraint would be the attempt to have the project simultaneously address the specific conditions and cultural influences of the specified site, while also having clearly applicable principles that can be extracted and utilized in other similar projects. While there is a possibility of developing a more deconstructed approach to improving health of older adults, once again the specific goals of intergenerational interaction and long term care lend themselves more strongly to a singular site-based project.

Data Credit: https://agingstats.gov/docs/LatestReport/Older-Americans-2016-Key-Indicators-of-WellBeing.pdf

PROJECT NEED The main, big-picture need for this project is based on the understanding that there is going to be a greater percentage of older adults in the next few decades than ever before in our global societal history. In order to adequately meet the needs of these older adults in the future, the current approach of expensive, reactive healthcare treatments must be blended, and in some cases, replaced, by more preemptive, integrated approaches to health.

From an economic standpoint, preventative healthcare measures for older adults are a way that issues of economic stress caused by greater senior citizen populations can be solved.

With current studies showing that the vast majority of healthcare spending is on reactive, responsive treatments, investing in healthimproving infrastructure and spaces earlier on in the lifespan of individuals can be seen as a way to decrease the total amount of healthcare spending. Landscape architecture can be seen as one of the key players in the development of these proactive approaches, due to the

pervasiveness and accessibility of environmental design projects in the daily lives of the general public (Jencek, 2020).

Additionally, by using evidence-based design approaches, environmental design can help bridge the gap between scientific medical research and actual implementation that affects the greater population.

Examining the specific need for a focus on Asian American older adults, it is important to note the specific contrast between the perception of eastern perspectives on aging as optimal, and the actual worsening health outcomes Asian American older adults have because of the dictation of cultural norms. Traditional Asian American culture often prevents the acknowledgment of legitimate healthcare needs, with a specific stigma surrounding issues of aging and the obligatory responsibilities of the family.

Because of outdated ideals of what may or may not be acceptable, aging Asian Americans have been shown to actually have increased mental health issues and lack of access to adequate healthcare, contrary to the stereotype of the ‘perfect’ East Asian aging model.

Project Description | 09

Additionally, denial of the reality of needs of older adults not only affects older adult health, but also affects caregiver/family health. There are many cases in which older adults actually outlive their family-based caregiver due to excess stress and unhealthy coping mechanisms of the caregiver, and even when that is not the case, significant strain can be placed on caregivers when adequate resources are not available (Couturie & Sandkuhler, 2009). WIth upcoming increases in economic and logistic stress on the older adult long-term care system, these issues will only continue to worsen if change is not pursued.

Caregiver burnout is an issue related to aging that may be exacerbated by cultural norms and pressures.

Image Credit: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/lifebalance/info-2019/caregiver-stress-burnout.html

DESIGN APPROACH In order to address these needs, this project will follow a two-pronged method. First, it will address the needs of current and immediately incoming old-older adults, generally those who already require assistance in activities of daily living or will undoubtedly require that assistance in the near future. This will be done through responsive treatments and integration of spaces, residences, and programs that support improvements in physical, social, and mental health. Second, it will address the longterm needs of the community for preventative health-oriented physical infrastructure, so as to decrease the future load on the healthcare system. By providing public open spaces and

10 | Core Material

a hub for community interaction, the health of younger and middle-aged residents can be improved earlier on in life. Over time, the focus of the campus will shift in accordance with the compression of morbidity, from a responseoriented facility to a more prevention-oriented facility. This is not to say that old-older adult care will be phased out; it simply means that as health expectancy of the population increases, the amount of resources that can be allocated to programming and public spaces increases.

Intergenerational interaction will play the most major role in all of these proceedings. Bridging the gap between old-older adults and other generations improves health conditions for both parties, and will be supported through the implementation of volunteer and work opportunities, mentor opportunities, and a physical environment that is conducive to these interactions. Additionally, strong connectivity to the surrounding context through economic activation and transportation connections will be key to making sure that the project succeeds.

At this point, it is important to specifically notate and determine terminology that will be used to describe this project. Senior living campus, as stated in the thesis statement, refers to a mediumscale mixed use development, incorporating healthcare facilities, continuing care retirement community housing for older adults, public and private open spaces, and community amenities like shops, fitness centers, libraries, etc. Continuing care retirement communities typically “provide different levels of care adjusted to the needs of the residents,” allowing them to move around within the same complex based on determined level of required assistance (Whitbourne & Whitbourne, 2017). Finally, health expectancy and compression of morbidity are two key aspects of this approach. Health expectancy refers to “the number of years a person can live in good health,” while “compression of morbidity” refers to the goal of reducing “the illness burden to society to just within the little bit of time closest to death (Bartlett, 2020).

goals + objectives Goal: Improve older adult physical health in the selected city through development of physical spaces for activity.

Objective: To provide easily accessible, safe for older adult use, outdoor spaces in proximity to living and community facilities.

Objective: To provide physical activity classes, opportunities, and necessary equipment for older adult physical exercise.

Objective: To develop a network of connective spaces safe for older adult use, promoting intracommunity walkability and mobility.

Goal: Improve older adult mental/social health in the selected city through development of integrated spaces that foster intergenerational socialization.

Objective: To develop mixed-use areas that specifically target older adult volunteers or workers.

Objective: To create programs that integrate community volunteers and students into the older adult care process.

Goal: Improve health expectancy for younger and middle-aged community residents.

Objective: To provide increased access to public outdoor spaces promoting physical activity.

Objective: To implement programming that supports the position of the campus as a community hub.

Goal: Improve quality of life for caregivers through specifically designated efforts.

Objective: To provide spaces separate from the general senior care spaces, designated for the needs of non-older adult caregivers and staff.

Objective: To develop spaces that require less direct care and attention from caretakers, lightening their load and reducing overall stress in the facility.

Goal: Activate the neighborhood socially and economically through integration of elders.

Objective: To determine and integrate interstices throughout the community into a framework of health-focused spaces.

Objective: To develop an economic center with mixed-use shops, businesses, and amenities that bring together multiple generations.

Goal: Combat East Asian cultural stereotypes surrounding healthcare and aging through culturally sensitive formats and spaces.

Objective: To facilitate family visitation and high levels of interaction with older adult family members by implementing adequate private accessible spaces.

Objective: To create a wide range of housing or living options, addressing the wide variety in physical or cognitive ability, and the degree of involvement the family has in care.

Goals + Objectives | 11

Glendale San Gabriel

Los Angeles Santa Monica ~10 mi

Whittier

Torrance ~25 mi Map Credit: Google Earth

project location SAN GABRIEL, CA The selection of San Gabriel, CA, as the location for the project was based on three factors. First, there is a very large Asian-American population present, as well as significant middle-aged and older adult populations (see p. __ for demographics). Second, the strongly suburban context poses both a challenge and an opportunity, as while it may be a difficult place to enact strong environmental designbased change, it is also a setting that is widely applicable and has significant potential for improvement.

Third, it has geographical proximity to my hometown, thus making it easier to visit and possibly interact with community members firsthand.

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Colored basemap showing density of surrounding suburban development, scale of the open space, and isolation of the open space.

site location

Image Landsat / Copernicus Data SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO Image Landsat / Copernicus Data MBARI Data SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO Data LDEO-Columbia, NSF, NOAA Data MBARI Data LDEO-Columbia, NSF, NOAA

SAN GABRIEL COUNTRY CLUB The selected site is the existing San Gabriel Country Club. While it is one of the largest open space areas in the San Gabriel Valley, it is highly exclusive and is not representative of, nor accessible to, the community that surrounds it.

Updated zoning plan for the City of San Gabriel, 2016.

Current site is zoned as single family residence - country club. Note the smaller proportion of public open space in the north half of the city despite having the majority of higher density housing, and limited mixed-use development along the economic corridor (red).

Rubio Wash (Channel)

Information that was collected and mapped include the existing zoning plan, ecological conditions, nearby cultural centers, and circulation/access. The zoning plan shows interesting trends when comparing the north and south parts of the City of San Gabriel, especially when considering the possibility of increasing both open space and housing for in-need populations. The cultural and social centers information places the site within a rich context, connecting many spaces and opportunities for intra-community relationship building. Similar to this is the information on surrounding circulation, which shows large opportunities for activation on three of the major edges of the site.

Map Credits:

Remediation of Rubio Wash has potential to decrease flooding possibilities and improve water quality downstream throughout the connected channel system.

https://sangabrielcity.com/DocumentCenter/ View/812/Zoning-Map?bidId= , Google Earth.

Project Location + Site Location | 13

Schools

Religious Center

Medical Facility

Economic Corridor Proximity to multiple cultural and social facilities suggests the possibility of incorporation and embedding of the site into the greater framework of regional culture, as an open space reflective of the residents of the surrounding area.

Main Arterial Roads

Possible activation and access

The site is framed on three sides by main arterial roads, providing a significant opportunity for activation of the street front and strong connections to surrounding programs. Smaller node possibilities at intersections with less traffic.

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View north from within the golf course. Few in this neighborhood are able experience the benefits of this open space, despite living directly next door.

Image Credits: https://www.sangabrielcc.com and Google Earth.

View of site south edge, with significant opportunities for street front vitalization, community networking, and accessibility for both community members and users.

View of north edge, strongly suburban, quiet, and private.

The north and south edges essentially represent the two ends of the spectrum of context conditions.

Aerial view of the Rubio Wash channel cutting through the site. This presents an opportunity for additional ecological consideration and restoration.

Parking lot view of entry porte cochere. Many elements of the existing country club infrastructure have potential for utilization in community hub development.

Site Location | 15

context + support material Contextual Issues 18 Demographics 22 User Profiles 24 Theoretical Positions 26 Precedent Studies 32 Rhetorical Efforts 38 Future Inquiries 40

This section of is intended to provide supporting material for the arguments presented.

In the contextual issues section, key planning documents for the selected project location were analyzed, and applicable considerations were extracted. This allowed for improved understanding of the underlying forces influencing the site and the area, and was based on reliable, professionally-done work.

The demographics section summarizes important population data for the area, most importantly looking at age, race, and immigration.

These factors are key considerations in the development of this project, and help to support the project need.

The user profiles section provides an overview of the potential users of the project when completed.

By exploring who the target audience for the project really is, and understanding their needs and values, the project can further improve, and better design guidelines can be considered.

In the theoretical positions section, three works that are applicable to the project have been analyzed. To improve the strength of the proposal and the project, it should be understood where it fits into a greater body of literature. Future updates of this proposal will include additional theoretical perspectives.

The precedent studies section examines three projects that aim to achieve some of the goals of this project in some way or another. By understanding what has been done and what has been successful, this project can draw upon that knowledge and further push the boundaries of landscape architecture for an aging population.

The rhetorical efforts section shows questions and thought processes that have been explored in the development of this proposal.

The future inquiries section lists possible future questions to be explored and answered throughout the project progression, selected from an instructor-provided list.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2014-2018

contextual issues PLANNING DOCUMENT ANALYSIS Strategic Plan, 2014 - 2018 Comprehensive General Plan, 2004 Parks & Open Space Master Plan, 2018

The most recent general city planning document for San Gabriel, CA, the Strategic Plan presents a mission statement “promoting economic vitality, providing exceptional services and experiences, implementing innovative, sustainable solutions, and celebrating a rich history and promising future.” The main points that were valuable were the city’s fundamental values and current/proposed projects.

Guiding the entire planning effort, the fundamental principles of the city are “integrity, service, transparency, excellence, accountability, inclusiveness/diversity, and innovation.”

Present projects include a great streets initiative, multiple smaller open space commitments, and several hotel/large business operation projects. Future plans include increasing community engagement through “implementation of arts and culture,” and amenity improvement in public spaces.

GENERAL PLAN 2004

Sketch of the historic mission district by Howard Von Heuklyn, included in the 2014-2018 Strategic Plan.

Image and Map Credits: https://www.sangabrielcity.com/DocumentCenter/ View/3169/STRATEGIC-PLAN---Final---11-17-14?bidId= https://www.sangabrielcity.com/DocumentCenter/ View/733/GENERAL-PLAN-FOR-WEB?bidId= http://sangabrielcity.com/DocumentCenter/ View/10093/San-Gabriel---Master-Plan-Final

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While older, the Comprehensive General Plan provides significantly deeper analysis of community character and issues. Guiding principles that connected the many sections of the plan included visions for public open green space, improved walkability, and an aspiration for sensitively designed neighborhoods. The plan recognized the need for an increase in higher-density housing options and mixed-use development, and expressed an interest in providing a range of housing types specifically addressing affordability and elderly or disabled individuals. Improvements in public transit systems, pedestrian experiences, and medical facility expansion were also planned. A large emphasis was placed on the development of public open spaces, with mention of plans to increase funding to maintain and develop parks and recreation facilities, and an interest in the flood channel

system for possible increased public open space. Lastly, the general plan showed a higher proportion of seniors and of Asian Americans than the country as a whole, and a future need for a blend of ethnic and non-ethnic business addressing the cultural acclimation of immigrant communities.

OPEN SPACE PLAN 2018 The main body of information presented in the Parks & Open Space Master Plan was community outreach findings focusing on evaluation of existing public open spaces and interests in upcoming desires/trends in open spaces. However, the large majority of this information was far too design elementspecific for this stage of research. Valuable information extracted include the action plan goals of “improving facilities and amenities, continuing to improve organizational efficiencies, continuing to improve programs and service delivery, and increasing financial opportunities.”

Additionally, significant demographic information was included, which is depicted in the graphs. Finally, community priorities were noted as “connectivity and walkability, increased open space, a community center, accessibility, joint-use agreements, community events, and increased funding for open spaces.”

At present, the highest percentage age group is older adults 65+ years of age. The third highest percentage age group is individuals 45-54 years of age.

Analysis comparing racial demographic percentages of San Gabriel and CA.

Analysis of population growth trends separated by racial groups, from 2010 through 2021.

Planning documents show that the area around the proposed site is in ‘very high’ need of public open space.

Contextual Issues | 19

Locations of schools, open spaces, and other community assets. The San Gabriel Country Club is by far the largest open space, yet is inaccessible to the public.

Existing street width conditions, specifically relating to alignment with economic corridors and the possibility of incorporation into the great streets improvement program.

Map noting community concerns and opportunities. Open space shown as the country club and the Edison corridor.

Mixed use possibility shown on Las Tunas Dr.

Bus route system, with potential bike route system overlaid.

High public transit accessibility shown along Las Tunas Dr, with bike route intersections as an additional possibility.

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CONNECTIONS

2018 map showing percentage of population ages 65 and older. Higher percentages are shown as darker colors.

There were a handful of immediate, direct connections between the findings in these three planning documents and this project. As the project is intended as a community hub and senior living facility addressing the health and wellbeing of aging Asian Americans, the findings regarding population demographics and community priorities were particularly interesting.

With an exceptionally high percentage of the population being Asian Americans, as well as a large proportion of adults within or entering the 65+ years of age bracket, there is a strong opportunity for the project’s implementation in the City of San Gabriel. Additionally, the expressed desire for a community center, the need for improved and diversified housing options, and the large emphasis on the need for increased and improved public open space further strengthen the argument for the project.

Looking at a site-specific scale, the San Gabriel Country Club appears to be a strong candidate for the project. Largely exclusive and nonreflective of the surrounding community, that land represents the largest open space possibility in the area, and is surrounded by residential areas “not served by parks or school facilities of any type� (Open Space Plan). It combines opportunities for mixed-use development, public transit access, pedestrian street improvements, and proximity to cultural and social centers, resulting in a interconnected node connecting multiple aspects of city planning goals.

2018 map showing percentage of population ages 35-64.

Higher percentages are shown as darker colors.

Map Credits: https://www.socialexplorer.com/ a9676d974c/explore

Contextual Issues | 21

RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS

demographics EXPLANATION & CONNECTIONS The main findings in the demographic profile of the City of San Gabriel were the high percentage of Asian individuals in the area, the majority of Chinese/Taiwanese immigrants in the foreign-born immigrant population, the substantial presence of Southeast Asian foreign-born individuals, and the high percentage of older foreignborn immigrants in comparison to younger, more recent immigrants. Additionally, the healthcare and living assistance industry already has a strong presence in the area, along with care & service occupations. These findings show the need for a multicultural approach to design in the area, as well as the upcoming need for increased senior housing and/or care options.

The main racial demographic is Asian (60%), followed

by Hispanic (25%), White (12%), and Other (3%).

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

55% are foreign-born - 35% Chinese/Taiwanese, 10% Southeast Asian, 6% Latin American, & 2% other Asian.

TIME OF IMMIGRATION

Data Credits: https://datausa.io/profile/geo/san-gabriel-ca/ https://www.socialexplorer.com/

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The majority of foreign-born individuals immigrated before 1990, with fewer in each following decade.

AGE SEPARATED BY NATIVE/FOREIGN-BORN

The median age for native-born individuals is 25, while the median age for foreign-born individuals is 50. This data indicates a greater likelihood of a need for cultural sensitivity in the project, while also showing a greater likelihood of some degree of cultural acclimation for older foreign-born adults.

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY

EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION

The most common industries based on population in the workforce are technical services, manufacturing, retail trade, accommodation & food, and healthcare & assistance.

The most common occupations based on population in the workforce are care & service, management, food & serving, sales, and office/administration.

INCOME

HOUSEHOLDS

Median household income U.S. national median income

$55,939 $62,937

Number of households Non-rented ownership

12,200 45.2% Demographics | 23

user profiles Profiles of potential user groups for the project, both fulltime users and less permanent users. Assumptions are based on collected demographic and planning information, as well as intended goals for the project.

OLDER ASIAN ADULTS - LIMITED MOBILITY/INDEPENDENCE A large percentage of the permanent users of the project would be older Asian adults with impairments in mobility or other activities of daily life.

Likely to be a foreign-born individual with significant acclimation, but also with significant cultural influences from the country of origin. Age 65+, limited mobility, need for socialization, need for assistance in multiple aspects of life. Specific landscape interventions required to address needs.

OLDER ASIAN ADULTS - INDEPENDENT Another large percentage of the permanent users of the project would be older Asian adults with little to no impairment or disability. These would generally still be foreign-born individuals, but they would be entering the project at a life stage that wouldn’t require significant assistance yet.

Age 65+, little to no limitations of physical or mental function, needs for socialization, high degree of independence and agency.

OLDER ADULTS - RANGE OF ABILITY Other permanent users of the project would be older adults from other cultural backgrounds that reside within the immediate context. The range of ability and function specified in the Asian American older adults above would be present in this group as well. Age 65+, possibility of needs for physical or functional assistance. Specific landscape interventions addressing the needs of senior citizens will be required.

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MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND CAREGIVERS Both full-time/on-site caretakers and shift nurses will be fairly essential users to the project. Healthcare professionals and individuals addressing the actual immediate medical needs of the residents will require adequate privacy and space for their work and personal needs. This population will mostly be made up of young-adult to middle-aged individuals focusing on the care for residents.

FAMILY MEMBERS A high degree of incorporation and consideration of the family members of residents is necessary for the project to function properly for the Asian American older adult residents. Middle aged adults, both immigrants and children of immigrants, who will require high levels of interaction with residents will be the main population. Additionally, children of these adults will likely also be users of the project.

STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS Through community engagement, there will be a presence of students and other community members in the project. For students, the age range will likely be high school and college students, with interests in helping others through volunteering and internships/employment.

Cultural background will likely be similar to the makeup of the resident population, both reflective of the surrounding community.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Administrative staff will likely be a smaller but important presence in the project. This population will likely be middle-aged adults from various cultural backgrounds, with few specific personal needs in the design, but significant consideration of resident and family needs.

User Profiles | 25

THEORETICAL POSITION 1

the practice of filial piety and its Impact on Long-Term Care Policies for Elderly People in Asian Chinese Communities Nelson Chow, 2006 Asian Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics Image Credits: http://www.thesaint.scot/2020/02/filial-piety-inmodern-china/ https://news.cgtn.com/ news/3d3d514e3151544e78457a6333566d54/ share_p.html

SUMMARY Filial piety can be defined as “being good to one’s parents, to take care of one’s parents,” or “respect for one’s parents, elders, and ancestors.” In this article, author Nelson Chow attempts to express the effects and importance of the current paradigm shift of general Asian culture moving away from a traditional view of filial piety towards a modern balance of practical familial care.

Beginning with a general introduction to the idea of long-term care and its implications, the article proceeds to explore the idea of changing standards of filial piety, the effects on Asian Chinese long-term care services, and finally, a strategy for improving access to care for older adults in these communities.

The main position of this article is in favor of the recognition and acceptance of the overall societal change from the old standard

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of Confucian filial piety to a modern practical approach, in order to most adequately meet the needs of all parties involved. In the traditional framework, long-term health care in not only Chinese cultures, but all East Asian cultures, is provided solely by the family, with a strong sense of duty, and with institutionalized care as an absolute last resort. However, modern East Asian culture is shifting towards “a more practical approach to fulfilling [familial] duties.” Due to the decline in adherence to traditional filial piety and the increased focus on “the mere satisfaction of parents’ physical needs and comforts,” as well as the social stigma surrounding institutional care, home-based services, and public formal services, “elderly people in Asian Chinese communities who are in need of long-term care will ... continue to suffer.” Essentially, older adults in Asian communities are being caught between the lack of adequate institutionalized care options and the declining imperative of the filial piety ideal.

Exploring the impacts of this trend on longterm care policies, some key considerations are pointed out. First, as predicted globally in the upcoming decades, “the need for long-term care will rapidly increase” due to the aging of the baby boomers generation.

Second, there are strong cultural limiters on home-based services “despite the fact that nearly all elderly people requiring long-term care remain in the community.”

Third, privatized formal care is typically the only option for many seniors requiring non-familial care. And fourth, filial piety, while declining, is still the main motivating force for support of older adults in Asian Chinese communities. Finally, suggestions regarding elder care accommodations with consideration for cultural values, user satisfaction, and comfortability, were included. The idea of filial piety must be central in the development of long-term care programs, allowing for familial interaction

influence health outcomes is key. This article provides a formal basis for the argument against the older East Asian cultural standard of elder care, and explores a set of issues that directly affect the target demographic for the project.

The idea that “a patient’s need for long-term care is an implicit acknowledgment that informal care alone can no longer accommodate the patient’s needs and that some form of professional input is required,” is something that is ignored far too often by highly filial children, resulting in an overall lowering of the achievable quality of life.

This is an issue that the article addresses that is essential in the development of this project.

A need for adherence to strict antiquated values cannot outweigh a need for formal care for older adults.

and assumption of certain aspects of care; integration of “formal support services should aim at enhancing the caring functions of both the and the community.” Continuation of the sense of responsibility that children have should be encouraged. Additionally, all reasonable options of care should be considered equally from the beginning, in order to honestly and truthfully provide the best possible care to older adults while “realistically assess[ing] and individually adjust[ing]” the financial capabilities of the family.

Additionally, the explicit statement that “solutions are required that are not only socially and culturally acceptable, but are also effective and efficient at meeting the needs of the elderly requiring longterm care,” as well as the promotion of strategies and key considerations for planning elder care options for Asian cultures are directly applicable to the project topic. As a general study on the influence of Asian cultures on the aging process and older adult health, this article addresses and validates some of the concerns that form the basis of the senior project argument. Design considerations that may be extracted include necessity of family gathering spaces, and site organization that is easily navigated by family.

Overall, the major points of this article are the consideration of filial piety as a cultural foundation for all East Asian cultures, the transition from fundamentalist strict adherence to a modern practical understanding, and the importance of both maintaining value of older adults within the community and addressing societal changes through best-outcome community-care options.

CONNECTION In order to properly design for older adults in the Asian American community, an understanding the cultural influences and actual trends that

Modern care for Asian American older adults must address unique sociocultural and actual physical needs.

Theoretical Positions | 27

THEORETICAL POSITION 2

healthy cities City Making at the Intersection of Landscape Architecture and Public Health Brian Jencek, HOK Global Director, 2020 Land8 Virtual Conference

Graphic depicting the different factors influencing health and wellbeing, and the strength of their impacts.

Image Credits: https://www.hok.com

SUMMARY In this online talk, speaker Brian Jencek, global director at HOK, promoted and educated on the topic of human healthfocused landscape architecture, aiming to improve understanding and increase consideration of human health in the environmental design field. The presentation began with an overview of health in relation to landscape architecture, and proceeded to go over the importance of health in the physical environment, the use of landscape architecture as a proactive health measure, and project examples at different scales and budgets.

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The emphasis of the presentation focused on the idea that landscape architecture is a key component of healthier urban environments, with impacts on physical, mental, and social health, as well as economics. Beginning with definitions, three important terms that require differentiation between them were introduced - health, as “a state of balance between physical, mental, and social states in absence of illness,” wellness, as “the process through which one individual makes choices towards a healthy life,” and wellbeing, as “an individual’s attitude or subjective perception towards their physical, mental, and social conditions.”

The importance of these terms comes with the idea that while a medical definition of health is “the absence of disease,” the landscape architectural definition of health is much closer to wellbeing. Applying this in practice, it is notable that “the largest influence on health and wellbeing is [actually] the physical and social environment people inhabit,” and that since the majority of the world’s population will soon live in cities, the work of the landscape architect will soon dictate the health of more than half of the people on the planet. Due to large-scale issues like climate change, urban heat-island effect, and increases in global air pollution, global health is actually declining, with the “conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and age, and a wider set of forces and systems, shaping the conditions of life.”

Looking at project examples of healthoriented landscapes, the Hong Kong Waterfront project was by far the largest and most ambitious. Addressing issues from climate change to mobility, the project was envisioned as the front yard for a city nation.

In terms of health, the design “focused on connectivity in order to give people an easy and intuitive way to walk,” urban porosity, and intuitive wayfinding. The next example was a corporate tech campus in Pleasanton, CA, which served as an example of how

medical spending is in post-event healthcare instead of preventative treatment.” Following this, the most effective way to improve health is by tackling upstream-root causes, eventually causing downstream effects. Addressing the economics of a healthcare-focused project, the idea that by spending a certain amount of money in preemptive health-based initiatives the reactive costs of healthcare drastically decreased is an important factor that can strengthen the project argument. By proactively addressing health concerns and negative health influences, the high-cost high-maintenance end-of-life period is shortened, promoting both extended financial stability and physical agency.

HOK’s Hong Kong Waterfront project, which provided unprecedented access to green space and opportunities for public health improvement in the area.

decreasing surface area of parking lots, thus increasing open green space, can provide people with higher levels of nature exposure and improve health. Lastly, the SF Bayview Parks Equity project presented an example of very small-scale interventions improving public health in areas without access to open space.

By analyzing public land holdings and oftenignored right-of-ways, “mosaics of open spaces adding up to the public realm” can be used to arm communities that have historically suffered from discrimination or environmental injustice.

Additionally, a point was made on the importance of “designing through the culture of the site or the users,” making sure not to too strongly influence the design with outside perspectives and truly allowing the design to be a representation of local expertise. In doing so, the design gains both a sense of ownership, and a sense of familiarity.

Affecting social health, strong sense of place is one of the most important environmental design goals in order to create a well-rounded and balanced approach to improving health of an area. As this senior project idea is heavily culture-influenced, this lesson in public outreach and incorporation of many viewpoints and parties will be important moving forward.

Overall, the major takeaways from the lecture were the importance and future impact of landscape architecture on public health, emerging trends in health and population, and possible applicable strategies in regard to designing for improved wellbeing. Through increased focus on human health over flashy technology and materials, design can become a tool for greater social change.

CONNECTION One of the most prominent points made in the presentation is the statistic that “the majority of

Design considerations addressing public health and wellbeing are addressed by many different facets of environmental design.

Theoretical Positions | 29

THEORETICAL POSITION 3

therapeutic landscapes An Evidence-Based Approach to Designing Healing Gardens and Restorative Outdoor Spaces Clare Marcus, Naomi Sachs, 2014.

Beautiful outdoor spaces in healthcare facilities improve health outcomes for both patients and caregivers.

Image Credits: Therapeutic Landscapes, 2014.

SUMMARY Therapeutic Landscapes is a collection of general guidelines and design considerations specifically aimed towards the improvement of healthcare associated landscapes. Throughout the book, authors Marcus and Sachs explore both the practical and the theoretical applications of designing for health and wellbeing, providing tangible recommendations and a framework of theory supporting them. Topics such as the participatory design process, the business case and funding for therapeutic gardens, and multiple functional types of therapeutic gardens are included.

30 | Context + Support Material

Therapeutic gardens are outdoor spaces “specifically designed to meet the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the people using the garden as well as their caregivers, family members, and friends.” The presentation of the theoretical framework behind therapeutic gardens is fairly comprehensive, addressing multiple distinct approaches and the interactions between them. Beginning with Roger Ulrich, research on “the emotional and physiological effects of environmental aesthetics on ... hospital patients” yielded a basis for understanding that nature exposure has positive health outcomes. Further studies showed additional health implications of landscapes, including “benefit derived from the multitude of simultaneous positive sensory experiences,” “reduction in negative feelings,” and improved levels of cognitive function. Specific theoretical underpinnings such as biophilia - “the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms,” prospect-refuge theory - an adaptive-evolutionary perspective of safety and visibility, and stress reduction theory - a multifaceted approach to wellbeing improvements, are explored in great detail; other notable theories include attention restoration theory, emotional congruence theory, and the aesthetic placebo.

Understanding the multiple approaches to therapeutic landscapes allows synthesis into well-designed healthcare spaces.

The book also provides an overview of the economic viability and funding for therapeutic gardens. Return on investments made in order to improve access to nature is the main, and very apparent goal financially, and can be understood in three categories.

The first category is “improved patient health and wellbeing,” in which the exposure and/ or access to nature directly affect duration of hospital stay and recovery times. Post surgery patients who had visibility of nature were released an average of 8.5% sooner

Direct interaction and sensory stimulation through green space positively affects patient health outcomes.

than patients without said views, while bipolar patients with direct morning sun stayed 3.67 days fewer than their counterparts. Through these improvements, efficiency is improved and excess costs are cut down. The second category is stress reduction, both for patients and for staff. While there are previously mentioned effects on stress reduction for patients, for staff, available green space reliably improves staff function, attitude, and decreases burnout. The third category is “improved patient and visitor satisfaction,” in which the availability of welldesigned green space affects the loyalty of patients and patient families. Statistically shown to have a positive impact on personal opinions of healthcare facilities, open space also increases friendly recommendations.

one particular chapter stuck out as directly applicable. As a project that is largely based in an anthropocentric, human needs-focused field, the section on the participatory design process is especially interesting. Through studies, “several significant benefits of inclusive participation in the design process” were identified: clarification in objectives and user goals, error avoidance leading to decreased construction costs, positive engagement and attitude improvement, increased community cohesion, and the ability to market directly. Additionally, multiple case studies of participatory design processes brought up other key considerations. By properly interfacing with as many involved parties as possible, groups are able to hear the concerns of other possible stakeholders, and preferences outside of simple necessities are expressed more fully. Involvement of the healthcare staff promotes a workplace based on understanding and positive morale, while increased multi-level interactions display the full spectrum of concerns while gaining funding from varied sources.

Overall, despite the increased complexity and time required, integrating users into the design process ultimately provides a greater depth of design understanding, and allows for optimal functioning based on firsthand experience.

Lastly, the book stresses the importance of research and evidence-based design as tools specifically necessary in the field of healthcareassociated landscapes. By “using the best possible research to inform design,” quantifiable outcomes based on prior study can be selected and implemented, while working within a highly interdisciplinary framework.

CONNECTION Outside of the direct design guidelines and standards, which will no doubt be of great help,

Involvement of both design professionals and healthcare professionals results in a better functioning design.

Theoretical Positions | 31

The building exterior and major components of the landscape were designed based on the idea that perhaps a ‘Western’ appearance would lessen the “stigma associated with putting an elder in a home.”

PRECEDENT 1

Cypress Gardens Senior Living Project Type - Senior Care Facility | Location - Fuyang, China | Context - Suburban | 2012 Firms - JSR Associates (ARCH), SMITH GreenHealth Consulting (LA), POD Design (LA)

Cypress Gardens Senior Living was designed with the goals of providing a solution for the rapidly growing aging population in China, working around the idea of abandonment associated with assisted living, providing for a wide range of physical and mental ability, and presenting a cultural representation of both ‘eastern’ and ‘western’ ideals. Recognizing the growing issues of financial and effort burdens exacerbated by the period of Chinese one-child policy, the team of firms created spaces that both appeal to the cultural heritage of China and address the need for adequate care and exposure to green space.

Located within suburban development, the project maintains necessary privacy and safety needs while still maintaining connections to the surrounding context. Terraces and outdoor rooms, utilizing forms based in western culture and elements based in eastern culture, entice residents to move naturally.

Labyrinth courtyard combining ‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ ideas.

32 | Context + Support Material

Ginkgo grove alongside formal manicured lawns.

public

combined Western

transition

private

The design provides separation between very public, easily accessible spaces and more private, healthcare oriented spaces. It accounts for the need of safe areas, and artfully controls the transition between public and private.

Eastern

Balancing the need to present a distinct approach to the issue with the need to stay true to cultural influences of the context, the design incorporates both ‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ design ideals, as well as combining them.

Encouraging residents to move throughout the site is important for physical and mental health.

Strong indoor - to - outdoor connections achieve this, while visibility of context helps with promoting sense of place, necessary for social health.

The overall layout of both the interior and exterior was guided by an idea of “person-centered” design, aiming to deinstitutionalize spaces for older adults by ensuring human-scaled design and direct, personalized care.

By taking into account physical, mental, and social health, the design effectively shortens the period of highly intensive care needed at the final stages of life.

Precedent Studies | 33

The central courtyard is a communal space that invites residents to spend time outdoors, promoting improvement in all aspects of health through exposure to green space and to interaction.

PRECEDENT 2

Bermondsey Almshouse Project Type - Almshouse for Elderly | Location - London, UK | Context - Urban | 2021 Firms - Witherford Watson Mann Architects

The Bermondsey Almshouse, which began construction in 2019 and is set to be completed in 2021, is a senior living center sited in the heart of an urban area, intentioned to be a lively and highly interactive living space. The overarching idea behind the design stems from a desire to provide a different experience for older adults, valuing their experience and knowledge instead of shutting them in, and returning to a sense of communal living and community that is difficult to find in modern society. It was designed with the goals of creating an independent collective living situation updated for the 21st century, facilitating social and physical activity for older adults, promoting direct interactions with the life of the city, integrating older adults back into the community, and developing mixed use community areas that interface with the programs surrounding it. Visibility both inwards and outwards is strongly emphasized.

Interior hallways with strong indoor-to-outdoor visibility.

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Socially active urban context provides stimulation.

green space

connectivity visibility

The central courtyard opens up protected green space for residents and visitors, and serves as a space for socializing and interaction The visibility into the courtyard draws residents into the space, and further improves the sense of safety and security. It addresses the subconscious needs for interaction, security, and exposure to nature.

Strategic organization of the layout of corridors, green space, and public-accessible spaces allow light and warmth to penetrate into the highly utilized spaces.

The indirect filtered approach to natural lighting also reduces unnecessary glare, addressing concerns of decreasing vision and temperature regulation capabilities in older adults.

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By projecting connectivity and openness outwards, the site draws in the necessary user groups to create an all-inclusive experience.

The unique spatial organization of the spaces within the almshouse facilitates mobility throughout the site for the elderly residents, while carefully designating where public access begins and ends. Activity and shopping areas that involve the public are contained within the additional building and the first and second floors, with public open space in the center, and private residences forming the periphery. This allows residents to have visibility and activity.

public private interactive

Precedent Studies | 35

Careful attention towards scale and material choices allow the user a residential sense of comfort, while many sensory experiences address mental stimulation needs of older adults.

PRECEDENT 3

Sun City Takarazuka Project Type - Senior Care Community | Location - Takarazuka, Japan | Context - Suburban | 2007 Firms - BAR Architects (ARCH), SWA Group (LA)

Once again addressing the pressing need for improved and increased senior living care communities, Sun City Takarazuka is an installment in the ‘Park Series’ of Sun City senior care developments. Aiming to achieve goals such as providing a respectful, non-institutionalized residential environment, addressing a wide range of physical capability, connecting and providing the surrounding neighborhood with combined open space, and promoting safety and improved wellbeing of residents, the design comes together as a relatively standard, albeit artfully executed, form of the elder care landscape. Variation in scale of both planting materials and seating spaces diversifies the experience and possibility for interaction for residents, while the incorporation of the external “panhandle” connects the development to the surrounding community.

Variation in seating options and scale of materials.

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View out to context from entrance.

views modern

personal spaces

traditional

Views into courtyard spaces from residences encourage social behaviors and movement.

Additionally, personal spaces in the outdoor realm promote a sense of ownership and responsibility in the site.

Variety in circulation options, such as the sinuous path shown above or the clean modern lines crossing through the design as a whole, allow a sense of selfdetermination and personal agency for older adults.

The blending of modern aesthetics with the principles and materials familiar to the Japanese culture presents a unique approach to creating environments that are both comfortable and contemporary.

transition

public

private

The design provides spatial separation between intentionally public, community-oriented spaces, and more private, resident-focused spaces. It presents a very clear threshold as to where the transition between public and private occurs, and protects residents within its spaces of retreat.

Each of the five courtyards serves its immediate vicinity as open space for residents, encouraging them to venture outside and experience the health benefits of exposure to nature. Each also expresses aspects of Japanese culture, addressing the need for a social sense of belonging and comfortability.

Precedent Studies | 37

rhetorical efforts Documentation of thought processes and ideation on the thesis topic.

DILEMMA//THESIS STATEMENTS Dilemma There is a global demographic trend of rapidly increasing senior citizen populations. How do we address the needs of this growing population in a way that promotes not only physical health, but mental, social, and all aspects of older adult health? // Thesis By designing with considerations of a more holistic view of older adult health, open spaces and elder care facilities can better improve quality of life for seniors while also being better integrated into the economic and social infrastructure.

Dilemma In Asian American communities still finding the balance between traditional culture and acclimation, older adults are cared for within a framework of outdated ideas of obligatory right and wrong. How can this be addressed through spatial solutions? // Thesis Through the development of elder care facilities that serve less as premature resting places and more as community centers for intergenerational interaction, we can challenge stereotypes about elder care and provide better access to improved health outcomes.

Dilemma In the seas of dense suburbia produced by urban sprawl, how can we create accessible open spaces that both revitalize the neighborhood and promote spatial equity for a wide range of users? // Thesis By carefully evaluating existing opportunities and context, overlooked and inequitable spaces can be identified and deliberately designed improve overall neighborhood accessibility and cohesion.

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RHETORICAL QUESTIONS Why is it that we know socializing is one of the key ways to improve quality of life for seniors, and yet we shut them out of society and hide them from view?

Is creating nursing homes that are essentially places for older adults to wait for death really the best we can do?

We already spend huge amounts of money on end-of-life care for older adults. With the upcoming explosion of the senior citizen demographic, can we really keep up with the same solutions?

Just who is it that really benefits from keeping an older adult at home when they need more care? Is it the caregiver, using more time and resources than they can handle, or the older adult who simply isn’t getting adequate care?

Wouldn’t you want to provide your parent or grandparent the best quality of life possible in their old age?

Is the stereotypically superior ‘Asian model’ of dealing with the elderly by keeping them in the home and brushing off health issues as deterioration really the best option when it limits access to treatment?

Placing a parent or grandparent in a living facility is seen as abandonment, but isn’t it only abandonment if you choose to leave them isolated?

‘SIX WORD MEMOIR’ STATEMENTS We age, we disappear, then die.

Place senior health before perceived ‘duty.’

Aging: Silent, shamed, and universal.

In keeping them, both parties suffer.

Aging Asian Americans - Culture versus Health.

Abandoning? No. Lengthening life, shortening suffering.

It’s only abandonment if you do.

Rhetorical Efforts | 39

future inquiries Selected future considerations from instructorprovided list.

Image Credit: https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/416418-E-Las-Tunas-Dr-San-Gabriel-CA/18116228/ (Above) Blending of Spanish and Asian influences.

WHEN THINKING ABOUT PROJECT SITE What are the physical features or layers (cultural + natural) on, near, and around your site?

Existing country club and golf course on-site, intersection between Spanish mission influences and Asian American influences in the surrounding area.

What are the site, surrounding and larger contextual issues?

Exclusivity and lack of connectivity to context on-site, larger contextual issues are limited open space and changing racial and age demographics.

What are the key project issues? (zoning, history, economic forces, etc.)

Mainly demographic changes in Asian American communities relating to age and health. Possible additional concern of increased racism and violence towards Asian Americans.

What areas should be preserved, conserved, restored, not developed?

Some parts of the physical building have cultural significance and should be preserved.

What areas should be developed, changed, highlighted, modified?

Majority of the golf course and Rubio Wash should be reconfigured for public use.

What is the capacity of your site?

What is APPROPRIATE? what is NOT APPROPRIATE? Sensitive cultural consideration and incorporation of community input is appropriate. Stereotyping and over-focusing on just one culture would not be appropriate or reflective of the community.

What OPPORTUNITIES have you found for yourself? What CONSTRAINTS have you found for yourself?

Opportunity to address future needs of a community while also designing for a greater public good, current lack of walkability, etc. Constraints include suburban context.

What problems have you SET for yourself? Describe in words and graphics the extent of the problem.

Realistic feasibility of the project, as there are wealthy stakeholders that would likely be opposed.

What program elements have you generated, discovered or defined?

Senior living facility, mixed-use area, community center and community gathering spaces, landscape-based healthcare and public health improvements.

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WHEN LOOKING AT AERIALS OF SITE AND SURROUNDING CONTEXT What is the city’s form structure? Where does it begin, end, break down, etc.?

Strongly suburban with high density, spread over multiple adjacent cities. Ethnoburbs of SoCal. What/Where is the community’s center or hub(s)? Are there competing or alternate centers?

Expressed lack of community center, very weak specific center in the sea of suburbia. Possible

existing candidates are the San Gabriel Mission, or the economic corridor.

What large scale and small scale PUBLIC SPACES are visible? Public spaces can be defined as spaces where people congregate. Speculate on the character of those spaces?

Public spaces in the area are generally limited to standard, traditional neighborhood parks, with

little to no variation or character, and are typically small scale.

How, if at all, is landscape occurring within and adjacent to the city?

Generally only affluent neighborhoods or users have access to larger scale public landscapes.

Large areas of average income neighborhoods have limited access to quality landscapes.

What is the grain of texture of the city? What is the:

Street network, circulation systems and paths

Precincts, fields, overlap or interweaving

Vegetation and plants - most properties have average personal yards and varying plant materials.

Building space and density, the classic figure ground drawing - majority residential built.

What systems, networks or linked functions are VISIBLE (or have been discovered in our process)? Think water, power, sewer, parks and monuments, service corridors, event, ritual or life (live, work, shop, play, recreate, recover, heal, remember, die). You may need to invent a style of drawing here.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS What is the history of this place? How has it changed over time? Who has changed it?

Original Spanish mission influence, massive influx of Asian American immigrants beginning in

Monterey Park and spreading throughout the 626 area, development of one of the major Asian

American communities in the US. What indicators of the natural world are visible?

Rubio Wash flood control channel is the main ecological consideration. The rest of the existing

site is highly maintained and unnatural golf courses. Little to no signs of ecosystem functions.

What spaces and spatial structure are visible? How? Are the spaces well or ill defined? What forms are visible? What materials are used? What is the palette of this place? What is the palette of this neighborhood? How might you transform the physical environment?

Essentially a suburban area with little to no exposure to modern landscape architecture. Project

should carefully assess the balance between providing quality public open space and maintaining

the existing culture and atmosphere of the surrounding context.

Future Inquiries | 41

references Annotated Bibliography 44 Timeline + Professional Contacts 50

about info Cover Letter + Resume 52 The annotated bibliography contains sources that have been either referenced in this document or will be referenced in future updates to this document. This is done as a way to keep track of resources that might not have been fully examined or analyzed, but have recognizable applicability and potential to impact the direction of the project.

Also included are a rough timeline of deadlines and goals relating to the senior thesis project, and a list of professional contacts who will hopefully be able to review this proposal and provide feedback.

Finally, at the end of the booklet, a personal statement and resume have been added.

annotated bibliography Compliation of resources gathered throughout the research process. Only some have been cited in this version of the proposal, others are presented as possible resources for future reference.

Access to Nature for Older Adults: Promoting Health Through Landscape Design Multi-Regional USA. (2010). Retrieved from https://www.asla.org/2010awards/564.html This study evaluated qualities of outdoor spaces associated with senior living facilities based on usage and preference of residents. The importance of senior-focused spaces and the impacts of environmental design on senior health is emphasized.

Adler, J. (2018, January 2). Contemporary Designs Take Senior Living to the Next Level. Retrieved from https://www.argentum.org/magazine-articles/contemporary-designs-take-senior-living-to-the-next-level/ This article provides an overview of a handful of case studies for successful, well-used, contemporary senior living facilities. Additionally, despite the majority of the examples being fairly traditional in overall design, specific ideals regarding open space and modern healthcare are noted.

Almshouse. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.wwmarchitects.co.uk/projects/almshouse-southwark This precedent study is an impactful example of environmental design for older adults in a densely developed context.

Bartlett, S. P. (2020, April 6). Themes and issues in adult development and aging. [PDF document].

Retrieved from Canvas Website: https://canvas.calpoly.edu/courses/17388/files/255230?module_item_ id=118223 This introductory lecture on the topic of older adult aging and psychology provides an overview of population trend dynamics and influences on the growth of the senior citizen population demographic.

Blain, B. (2019, August 8). Out of office: creative small talk with Stephen Witherford and William Mann.

Retrieved from https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/stephen-witherford-william-mann-wwmarchitects-interview#pic_1 In this interview, the designers for the Bermondsey Almshouse described their process and their values in regard to the project, and provided insight into considerations that should be noted.

Carstens, D. Y. (1985). Site planning and design for the elderly issues, guidelines, and alternatives. New York, NY: VanNostrand Reinhold.

This book provides an overview of outdoor space design and site planning with the specific target of addressing older adult populations. Topics covered include issues of aging, general site planning and design, and outdoor use design.

City of San Gabriel Zoning Map. (2016). Retrieved from https://sangabrielcity.com/DocumentCenter/ View/812/Zoning-Map?bidId= This map provides insight into intended uses and planned uses of land areas in San Gabriel. It also shows some of the issues and limitations that may need to be addressed.

44 | References

Chow, N. (2006). The practice of filial piety and its impact on long-term care policies for elderly people in Asian Chinese communities. Asian Journal of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 1(1), 31–35. Retrieved from http:// ajgg.org This paper examines issues of Asian cultural standards and their impacts on health outcomes. It also provides insightful commentary on modern-day transitions in the perceptions of aging in Chinese communities.

Chu, J. P., & Sue, S. (2011, June). doi: https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1026 Instead of an environmental design perspective, this publication examines the Asian American experience from a psychological perspective. It examines trends and patterns expressed specifically by Asian Americans and the effects on mental health.

Couturié, B., & Sandkuhler, A. (2009). The Alzheimer’s project: Caregivers. Retrieved from https://www. hbo.com/documentaries/the-alzheimers-project-caregivers This documentary shows struggles and stresses that caregivers may face when transitioning into a period of their life where they are providing care for an older adult with Alzheimer’s disease, exposing some of the less-seen but very real concerns regarding aging.

Cypress Garden Senior Living. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.jsrassociates.net/china-senior-care This website provided images and information on the Cypress Garden Senior Living precedent study, which incorporated both Asian and Western values into the design of a long-term care facility.

DePaul, A. (2020, March 9). Trauma at Root of Mental Health Issues Among Vietnamese. Retrieved from https://voiceofoc.org/2013/02/trauma-at-root-of-mental-health-issues-among-vietnamese/ This article examines the trauma and mental health issues associated with the large population of Vietnamese-Americans in Southern California. Continued exploration of the issue of trauma and mental health in Asian Americans in general is also Design Transforms a Retirement Center Into a Dream Home. (2014, October 5). Retrieved from https:// land8.com/design-transforms-a-retirement-center-into-a-dream-home/ This article provides information on the Sun City Takarazuka precedent study, as well as images and design considerations.

Dream Your Park, San Gabriel Parks and Open Space Master Plan. (2018). Retrieved from http:// sangabrielcity.com/DocumentCenter/View/10093/San-Gabriel---Master-Plan-Final This document provides an overview of current open spaces in San Gabriel, as well as proposed projects and future plans regarding open space development in the area.

Fornoff, S. (2012, January 15). Nothing retiring about this Sun City / S.F. design firm helps Japanese age gracefully. Retrieved from https://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Nothing-retiring-about-thisSun-City-S-F-2540148.php This article provides additional information and insight regarding the Sun City Takarazuka project.

Green, J. (2019, August 9). American-style Senior Living Comes to China. Retrieved from https://dirt.asla. org/2017/03/15/american-style-senior-living-comes-to-china/ This article provides additional information regarding the Cypress Gardens Senior Living precedent project, looking especially at how the design balances ‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ ideals.

Annotated Bibliography | 45

Healing. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.poddesign.net/healing/ This design firm website provides a brief overview of the Cypress Gardens Senior Living precedent project, as well as project images.

Jencek, B. (2020). Healthy Cities: City-Making at the Intersection of Landscape Architecture and Public Health. Land8 Virtual Conference.

This lecture focused on the importance of landscape architecture in the future development of healthoriented spaces and infrastructure. It also provided multiple case studies at different scales that addressed public health through the landscape.

King, J., & Bao, J. (2017, May 16). Sexagenarians in the City: Take home messages for urban design from the Royal Society of Medicine Global Ageing Conference. Retrieved from https://www. urbandesignmentalhealth.com/blog/sexagenarians-in-the-city-take-home-messages-for-urban-designfrom-the-royal-society-of-medicine-global-ageing-conference This article explores the issues of the upcoming rapid increase in the senior citizen population and ways to address them from a combined approach of medical and urban design expertise. Emphasis on the importance of green space, older adult community participation, and psychological influences on older adult mental health presents a slightly different approach that incorporates a more medical-oriented process.

Leftovers. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Leftovers-Marsha-Lorenz/dp/B071GPDZXZ This documentary is a groundbreaking exploration of the issues of senior citizen hunger and health. It presents a pressing need for attention to nutrition and accessibility for older adults, as well as touching on certain societal issues regarding seniors.

Liao, A. (2018, June 29). Getting Better with Age: Design for Senior and Assisted Living Facilities.

Retrieved from https://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/getting-better-with-age-design-for-seniorand-assisted-living-facilities_o Providing an overview of upcoming trends in the architecture and environmental design of senior living, this article examines changes from older standards to newer organization principles. It also looks into the different needs and effects of varying levels of care.

Loukaitou-Sideris, A., Levy-Storms, L., & Bronzen, M. (2014, June). Placemaking for an Aging Population: Guidelines for Senior-Friendly Parks. Retrieved from http://www.lewis.ucla.edu/lewis-research-type/ placemaking-for-an-aging-population-guidelines-for-senior-friendly-parks/ This document provides a detailed set of guidelines for placemaking for older adults, as well as significant background information and additional considerations that should be made in the design process.

Marcus, C. C., & Sachs, N. A. (2014). Therapeutic landscapes: an evidence-based approach to designing healing gardens and restorative outdoor spaces. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

This book is a collection of theoretical and practical approaches to healthcare-oriented landscapes.

The exploration of the theoretical framework provides structure to the argument for health-oriented landscapes, while the design guidelines specifically address multiple categories of possible healthcare landscapes.

46 | References

Martin, A. (2016, December 12). The landscape of mental health. Retrieved from http://www. terrafirmaconsultancy.com/landscape-architect-blog/landscape-mental-health-alex/ This article provides a very brief overview of the increased intersectionality between landscape architecture and mental health. By categorizing design principles that support end users, ex. Immediate contact with nature, awareness of the past, sense of control, etc., it clarifies a handful of approaches that can be taken when addressing mental health through design.

Mele, C., Lin, J., & Lin, J. V. (Eds.). (2012). The urban sociology reader: Spatial disparities in the expansion of the Chinese ethnoburb of los angeles. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/calpoly/ detail.action?docID=1075388 This chapter of The Urban Sociology Reader examines issues surrounding place and space in regard to ethnoburb development in the Los Angeles area, including population growth rates, education, and wealth.

Mullaney, T. (2017, November 30). Hot Senior Living Architecture and Design Trends for 2018. Retrieved from https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/11/30/hot-senior-living-architecture-design-trends-2018/ This article provides a transcript of an interview panel looking at top trends in building organization and ideas in senior living. It also provides a list of case studies for award winning senior living facilities.

Nishi, K. (n.d.). Mental Health Among Asian-Americans. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/ resources/ethnicity-health/asian-american/article-mental-health APA provides a brief overview of mental health among Asian-Americans in this article. It expresses concerns of cultural openness to mental health assistance and access.

Older Americans: Key indicators of well-being. (2016). Retrieved from https://agingstats.gov/docs/ LatestReport/Older-Americans-2016-Key-Indicators-of-WellBeing.pdf This document contains multiple statistics and infographics regarding the aging population of the United States, as well as indicators of well-being separated into the categories of economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, health care, and the environment.

Perkins, B. (2013). Building type basics for senior living. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

This book provides a detailed overview of architectural and environmental design-related concerns in regard to older adults. It contains sections on program, site planning, wayfinding, materials, lighting, codes, and unique design concerns, among other things.

Publications. (2018). Retrieved from http://aafederation.org/publications.asp This is a large compilation of multiple publications by the Asian American Federation of New York, documenting significant issues faced by the Asian American community. It also provides examinations of spatial distributions, mental health, and multiple other pertinent issues.

Rodiek, S. (2010). Access to Nature. Retrieved from http://www.accesstonature.org/ This resource is a continuation of the ASLA Access to Nature for Older Adults study, further quantifying and detailing evaluation criteria. Also included are sample surveys and public space evaluation forms that allow for more personalized application of study findings.

San Gabriel, CA - Data USA. (2017). Retrieved from https://datausa.io/profile/geo/san-gabriel-ca/ This website provides demographic data on San Gabriel, and includes helpful infographics for visualization.

Annotated Bibliography | 47

San Gabriel Country Club. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sangabrielcc.com/ Image source for selected project site. This website also provided some insight into values, users, and history of the site.

Santos, S. (2016, January 22). Witherford Watson Mann’s Central London Almshouse Promotes Sociability for the Elderly. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/780345/central-london-almshouse-promotessociability-for-the-elderly This article examines the ways that the Bermondsey Almshouse precedent project supports interactivity and social health through design.

Social Explorer. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.socialexplorer.com/ This website provides visually represented demographic information based on census data.

Strategic Plan, City of San Gabriel. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.sangabrielcity.com/DocumentCenter/ View/3169/STRATEGIC-PLAN---Final---11-17-14?bidId= This city planning document provides insight into community values, issues, and plans for future development.

Sun City Takarazuka. (2019, September 5). Retrieved from https://www.swagroup.com/projects/sun-citytakarazuka-2/ This webpage provides information on the Sun City Takarazuka project, including images and general project characteristics.

The American institute of Architects. (2016). Design for aging review 25th anniversary: AIA design for aging knowledge community. Mulgrave, Victoria: The Images Publishing Group Pty Ltd. This text provides a wide range of architectural precedent in the field of senior living and elder care design. Exploring small-scaled, building-scaled, and planning-scaled projects, it provides a cross section of award-winning aging-related projects.

The Comprehensive General Plan of the City of San Gabriel, California. (2004). Retrieved from https:// www.sangabrielcity.com/DocumentCenter/View/733/GENERAL-PLAN-FOR-WEB?bidId= This city planning document provides detailed insight into demographic trends, location history, and cultural and community values. It also provides clear maps and graphics depicting demographic data.

Welch, A., & Lomholt, I. (2020, March 9). United St Saviour’s Charity Almshouse in Bermondsey, London - e-architect. Retrieved from https://www.e-architect.co.uk/london/united-st-saviours-charity-almshousein-bermondsey This article examines the Bermondsey Almshouse project and how its design principles focus on improvement of health, wellbeing, and integration for older adults.

Whitbourne, S. K. & Whitbourne, S. B. (2017). Adult development and aging: Biopsychosocial perspectives.

Wiley.

This textbook provides a large volume of information regarding older adult health and psychology.

48 | References

Yam, K. (2017, June 5). Why Asian-American Seniors Have High Rates Of Depression But Rarely Seek Help. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/asian-american-senior-mental-health_n_591c53ee e4b041db8965c58e Examining issues of Asian-American mental health, this article provides a brief overview of significant cultural issues and how they manifest as direct health outcomes. Coming from a psychocultural perspective, the writer touches on the issues specific to the Asian American experience in the US and the US healthcare system. サンシティ 宝塚. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hcm-suncity.jp/suncity/takarazuka/ This webpage provides more detailed information regarding the Sun City Takarazuka project, and helps to give a greater understanding of the Sun City project as a whole.

Annotated Bibliography | 49

timeline Roughly planned schedule of future deadlines in regard to the senior thesis studio.

JUNE 12

AUGUST

DECEMBER 4

end of research quarter

project direction and site selection finalized

end of fall quarter

proposal booklet submission

finalized proposal & updated video

resource gathering

send materials out for review and feedback

JUNE - JULY

SEPTEMBER 17

SEPT - DEC

feedback & revisions

begin fall quarter

additional research and self-education

design ideation & exploration

argument development

outreach calls and development of professional relationships

continued outreach detailed planning

overall design finalization of focus areas and scope

professional contacts Sara Bartlett

Jesse Hirakawa

Dr. Grace Yeh

Nathan Torres

Lecturer, California Polytechnic State University

Urban Designer, NYC Department of City Planning

Professor, California Polytechnic State University

Landscape Designer, Ground Studio

50 | References

JANUARY 4 begin winter quarter

MARCH 12

revisions completed

end of winter quarter

all major project changes should be done by now

completion and presentation of senior thesis project

DEC 13 - JAN 3

JAN - MARCH

winter break

detailed design

outreach, revisions based on feedback

graphics

detailed plan for remaining time

production

job hunting

Betsy Suiter

Jerey Yuen

Amber Lake

Breanne Alton

Vice President, EDSA

Senior Project Manager, New York City Council

Landscape Architect, Carrier Johnson + CULTURE

Landscape Designer, Pacific Coast Land Design

Timeline + Professional Contacts | 51

As a child, I was always very close with my grandparents, and as I’ve grown older I’ve had firsthand experience in seeing ways that culture can affect older adult health. Thus, this project has a strong personal connection. I hope to gain enough knowledge and experience through this process to ultimately make a change in the way we address environmental design for older adults.

My choice to study landscape architecture was the sum of many different factors throughout my childhood.

From a young age, I was trained in traditional art, developing hands-on skills and finding enjoyment in the creative process. In school, I mainly enjoyed science and the technical knowledge of the world it allowed. And through musical extracurriculars, I developed a passion for helping others. My first exposure to this field was a percussion instructor who was studying landscape architecture at Cal Poly Pomona, and after spending a summer at UC Berkeley’s embARC program, I decided that landscape architecture would be the best combination of my interests and passions.

My interests in landscape architecture are mainly focused on social and health impacts, and designing in ways that can help people. I find joy in all scales of design, from the intricate details of a residential project to the large-scale movements of a master plan. Through all of that though, my main goal really is to find ways to improve the quality of life for people. Outside of landscape architecture, some of my hobbies are playing the marimba and the French horn, painting, and learning about plants.

In terms of future goals, after completing my bachelor’s degree, I hope to become licensed and work for several years at a reputable firm with a strong sense of community. Eventually, I plan to return to school and work towards a master’s degree, applying my professional experience while continuing to grow as a landscape architecture professional. My long term goals are to work at a large firm, and teach at the university level, helping to develop the next generation of landscape architects and give back to the field that has become my passion.

Thank you for reading!

52 | About Info

jordan chiang

jkchiang3@gmail.com | 626.802.8968 | 3053 Lombardy Rd, Pasadena, CA, 91107 EDUCATION

SKILLS

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

AutoCAD/C3D

San Luis Obispo, CA | September 2016 - June 2021 • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, GPA 3.96 • Minors in Architecture, Indigenous Studies, & Sustainable Environments • President’s List, Dean’s Honors List 2016 - 2019 • Student member of ASLA and ASLA Student Chapter • In-class notetaker for Cal Poly Disability Resource Center • HLA Group / Robert Hablitzel Scholarship 2019

WORK EXPERIENCE Intern, EDSA Fort Lauderdale, FL | June 2019 - September 2019 • Designed at concept level and went through design reviews • Participated in site visits and client / subcontractor meetings • Rendered plans, sections, and perspectives digitally and by hand • Worked on construction document details and plans • Assisted in development of firm-wide digital resource libraries

Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Sketchup Rhino Hand Rendering Lumion ArcGIS

Part-Time Media Intern, Garden Gear & Gallery Edmonds, WA | December 2018 - Present • Managed social media accounts and postings • Photographed merchandise for in-progress website

LEADERSHIP Vice President, Sigma Lambda Alpha Honors Society San Luis Obispo, CA | June 2019 - Present • Organized mentorship program for underclassmen • Assisted president and faculty advisor in organization and outreach Coordinator, Cal Poly Landscape Architecture Shadowships San Luis Obispo, CA | May 2019 - Present • Communicated with students and firms to establish connections, coordinated firm visits and feedback surveys • Participated in outreach to new firms based on student feedback

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Student Volunteer, ASLA National Conference San Diego, CA | November 2019 • Assisted at the ASLA Student Awards presentations • Managed Q+A wrap-ups, and interacted with attendees Assistant Percussion Instructor, San Marino High School San Marino, CA | June 2016 - December 2017 • Worked with head instructor on teaching performance, technique, and theory • Developed communication and decision making skills

REFERENCES Betsy Suiter Vice President, EDSA. bsuiter@edsaplan.com (904) 994-7054 Miran Jung Day Assistant Professor, California Polytechnic State University miday@calpoly.edu (805) 756-1773 Jesse Hirakawa Urban Designer, NYC Dept. of City Planning jhirakawa@planning.nyc.gov (310) 351-2269

Cover Letter + Resume | 53