Volume 1: Primary Research Findings & Urban Strategy by Sarah Lawson

VOL 1 Volume 1: Primary Research Findings & Urban Strategy [Design Report]

Sarah Lawson

Elise Rasmussen

Mark Scott

Michael Sim

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Preface

This introductory volume of the design report is intended as a comprehensive documentation of the primary research carried out both as part of the Co-Created Environments MMP research project, and as part of evolving group work investigating key themes on the site to develop an urban strategy- ‘Active Ageing’. Presenting both quantative and qualitative data, in addition to group strategy design development, the volume is structured into a series of chapters each addressing a different area of the research project. Interwoven throughout the document is the thematic emphasis on working at the scale of the body to the scale of the city. This theme of moving through architectural scales is constantly addressed throughout the group work, implied within the thinking behind each move and indeed explicitly represented in the final urban strategy. Each individual volume two of the design report explores the development and resolution of a specific architectural design which ‘plugs into’ the armature revealed within this research volume.

Co-Created Environments 1

Manchester Field Work

MMP1

Edinburgh Field Work

Research

Site Analysis

+ Designing for Stroke and Dementia

City to the Body

Hypotheses Hypotheses

Urban Strategy

= Design Proposal Arts Space

Culinary School

Memory Museum

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Contents Chapter I Contextualising the Research Study Chapter II i) ii) Co-Created Environments 1 Research Chapter III Site Analysis & Urban Strategy Research Chapter IV Research Connections & Hypotheses Bibliography Appendices A-C Original Research Documents & Data

WHO: Age Friendly Cities

The World Health Organisation defines an Age Friendly City as meeting eight separate criteria (outdoor spaces and buildings, housing, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation, communication and community and health services). A Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) has been established by the WHO in order to promote the Age Friendly City across the world. Manchester is part of this network and in the Manchester Age Friendly Development Plan 2014-16 these eight outcomes are linked to projects around Manchester. The research, and resulting urban strategy, contained within this Volume of the Design Report are linked to the WHO Age Friendly City outcomes. These principles are interwoven throughout the research and design projects, and influence each stage of development acting as the starting point for each final urban strategy decision.

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Journeying through the urban grain

Serial Vision

Edinburgh Dementia

Edinburgh Stroke

Edinburgh Healthy Living

Building

Body

Arts Space

Culinary School

Memory Museum

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1:500

Neighbourhood Model

Manchester PCT

The Elements of Journeying

Neighbourhood

Mapping Spatial Orientation Intensity & Way finding

Manchester Focus Group

City

1:5000 City Model

City to Sea

Designing for Stroke and Dementia

Regional

Urban Strategy

Chapter 1: Contextualising the Research Study

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot be emplaced without being embodied. Not only do we discover ever new places by means of bodily movement; we find ourselves in the midst of places we already know thanks to the intimate link between their abiding familiarity and our own corporeal habitualityâ&#x20AC;?. - Casey p.233

Designing for Dementia & Stroke [RESEARCH]

Contextualising the design enquiry- investigating core concepts, texts and theoretical models related to older people and the city. As part of this research study the key physiological and psychological effects of dementia and stroke in older people were interrogated in order to arrive at key conclusions relevant to architectural designers. Through a series of workshops with dementia and stroke specialists such as Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland a broad contextual positioning was also carried out in order to position the research within a wider framework across the UK and Europe. Methodology: literature review, specialist workshops, primary research testing theories.

interviews

and

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The environment has the greatest effect on the person with the least capacityâ&#x20AC;? (Taira, 1990)

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Dementia:The Context In 2010 there were an estimated 35.6 million people living with dementia worldwide, with this figure projected to increase to 65.7 million by 2030 (Alzheimer’s Disease International). In the UK context there are projected to be 1.7 million people living with dementia by 2051. The figure currently stands at 800,000 (Alzheimer’s UK). The actual numbers of people affected by dementia are clearly much higher when we consider family members and carers etc. There are no specific figures relating to how many people are living with early, mid or advanced dementia so there is a clear spectrum within this projected figure, that ought to be considered in both architectural design and the delivery of care.

impairment, with dementia being the largest reason for entry into residential care homes for those over 65 years of age (Sharp, p.4). From the above statistics it is clear the impact dementia can have on the care requirements of older adults. Perhaps most worryingly for the elderly population is the strong regional variance in the levels of care provided by primary healthcare trusts- in the UK only 60% of individuals in care are staying in specifically dementia registered beds in locations that can care for their high level of needs (Timlin, p. 13).The Alzheimer’s Society have published several reports describing the vast range of care quality that can be present in care homes or residential settings with ratings sliding from ‘excellent’ to ‘neglectful’.

Furthermore, those living with dementia are more likely to suffer the effects of loneliness. Alzheimer’s UK recently published the report ‘Dementia 2013: The hidden voice of loneliness’ in which a nationwide survey found that a third of those living with dementia in Within formal care settings in the United the community lived alone. Of those surveyed Kingdom, approximately two thirds of 62% said they felt ‘lonely’ and 33% said they residents are diagnosed with a cognitive had lost friends since being diagnosed. This is

compared to 25% of healthy living over 55s saying they felt lonely (Alzheimer’s UK report). From this information it is clear that there are social implications from a dementia diagnosis, primarily arising from an inability to socialise as much as pre-diagnosis or symptoms worsening communication abilities. From the above information it is possible to deduce that with an increasing elderly population worldwide there is required involvement from the construction industry to provide housing and care facilities for this growing group. Within this context it is clear that architects have a significant part to play in understanding how the built environment could potentially help those living with dementia to cope with everyday tasks and indeed improve the quality of life for those who may have advanced dementia or be living within a lonely setting. In order to do this, an understanding of what dementia is and how it can affect design decisions is required.

EARLY

there is a slow change in cognitive ability and the personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behaviour, which may manifest in loss of memory and recurring confusion. It is rare that dementia is clinically diagnosed in this stage as the symptoms are often subtle. Care at this stage is mainly supportive- sufferers should retain as much independence as possible in carrying out daily tasks and may benefit from memory aids. 23% of people with dementia in care homes are in this category.

MID

Recurring confusion and memory lapses are more obvious at this stage and will usually be noticed by family or friends. Often the elderly person will confuse faces and names and may forget words or how to carry out tasks. This can lead to a noticeable problem in unassisted living, especially when the person lives alone. In turn this can contribute to feelings of social isolation. The care at this stage can be more â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hands onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with frequent home visits and assessment of task availability. 32% of people with dementia in care homes are in this category.

LATE

At this point the sufferer is ultimately reliant on other people for care. Memory loss may extend to older memories and even into everyday life where the sufferer can forget what the purpose of objects are for example (somantic memory loss as opposed to just episodic memory loss). 45% of people with dementia in care homes are in this cateogry.

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Dementia_Element Interrelation

The relation between social spaces should mimic a domestic environment in order for residents to form the link with memories of their own homes. Creating an environment with no visual or physical barriers, which people can move through the space freely. Poor vision and depth of perception can be easily affected by changes in colours, patterns and surfaces. All surfaces should be completely flat, including transitions between interiors and exteriors. Contrasting skirtingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and handrails draw attention to specific areas allowing acknowledgement of opportunities for mobility assistance. Highlighting doors also in: colour, contrasting material or areas of transparency can provide an indicator to environmental changes.

Rooms with a single function offer environments, which can be tailored to a specific activity, offer the correct sensory information, reduce noise levels and visual stimuli to improve recognition of the activity of the room. The customisation of dĂŠcor can be used to further reflect specific functions of rooms and communicate the purpose of space.

Dementia_Communal Elements

Kitchen and dining design are often dislocated, instiutionalised and orientated towards efficiency and service. However, the design of the food service and dining environment directly impact on quality of life, and the cultural and social aspects of eating. Food management should be associated with the home and seen as having a purpose apposed to the current connotations of process.

and vastly improve overall health, often resulting in overriding other health concerns. Due to design challenges, structures and layouts residents are very rarely encouraged to participate the cycle of preparing a meal. An increase in facilities, which accommodate the participation of residents preparing meals, could improve food cultures and reinforce the social significance of a meal.

Currently food is often prepared in a central kitchen, dislocated from the residential area, transported to serving units with basic amenities within each section and then distributed. This process creates an environment that has an institutional atmosphere and creates a lack of culture surrounding food and denies the residents any involvement in the rituals surrounding food.

Food can provide significant memories, occasions that are associated with positive values and good experience. Birthdays, Christmas, Sunday dinners can all provide an untapped resource to play to the strengths of people with dementia, lifetimes of memories that can be accessed and enjoyed if they are presented with the vehicle to express and share them. The ritual of the family meal can reinforce their roles within family and society, with the family meal becoming more than just a daily task. As parents are given there chance to fulfill their responsibilities as a nurturer, a child being looked after, the preparation of a meal as a personal gesture of friendship or companionship or even the ability to â&#x20AC;&#x153;eat outâ&#x20AC;? and invite guests can

Care and food culture links with a positive dining experience can help reduce current dementia symptoms of; poor appetite, a lost interest in food, longer time to eat, trouble with co ordination. This environment can also help encourage essential nutritional information

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to the activity of eating.The kitchen can be split into an Active and Therapeutic kitchen helping to differentiate the services necessary for running a large scale kitchen and the more domestic, social and cultural elements of cooking. Therapeutic kitchens can be geared towards orientation, engagement and safety. Domestic scaled objects such as cookers; kettles and scales all provide triggers Living with Dementia can result in the loss for memories of kitchen activity, promotion of the ability to communicate through positive: nutrition, culture and social elements language, but maintain other senses which surrounding food. allow sensory orientation to be established through smell, taste or touch. Kitchens can The dining area should evoke a comfortable tap into this sensory resource and the most and appealing atmosphere, while avoiding fundamental and instinctive memories of a elements that detract from residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abilities. generation where the kitchen has previously As Dementia progresses a person can begin been the cornerstone of daily living with 60% to difficulties concentration on a meal, and of care home residents from a generation because increasingly susceptible to excessive where women were generally responsible sensory stimulation such as too many for running the home and preparing meals people, high noise levels and too many visual for their families. Eating areas that look and distractions leading to the person wanting to feel like a domestic kitchen and allow the leave without expressing why. It is imperative senses of cooking to transcend language and to remove excess stimuli, which can be ignite the memory more than words. This achieved through; service areas located permeation of the senses can be a powerful outside dining areas, visual stimuli at standing tool in evoking memories and indications height and increasing privacy whilst seated. give the organiser a sense of social status. A vibrant food culture provides a heart of the home which can be split into an eat in kitchen providing communication areas between staff and residents and amenities for baking and cooking groups, providing a function to spaces which are often redundant between meal times. (Watts, p.33).

Flexible privacy is a viable option as this allows residents who require more focus on a meal to be able to engage in positive stimuli such as smells to increase their focus on the meal and avoid isolation when more social activities are available. Material choices such as soft furnishings, and cork flooring can decrease noise levels, provide anti slip and easily cleanable surfaces while maintaining a domestic atmosphere.

Dementia_Personal Elements The bedroom offers a place of refuge where identity is reinforced through familiar objects and environmental cues. The number of people cared for at home before entering care has increased, resulting in the higher proportion of people in care with late stage dementia. This increase in the later stages of dementia places a higher importance on the customisation and personalisation of these refuge spaces. The bedroom entrance indicates the boundary between communal areas and private domains, to represent on of the most important transitions between spaces and marks edge. The transitional space between the bedroom and communal areas are often marked with memory boxes, which act as a personalization tool that form landmarks and assist in way finding. A language can mark the boundary between these spaces reminiscent of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;front doorâ&#x20AC;?, representing not a door to another room but a door to home. This personalization of the entrance area to the bedroom improves the ability to distinguish between personal spaces, enhance way finding and identify landmarks. The average bedroom size is approximately

12m sqr with en suite. A bedroom with a skeletal structure of the room helps to form a difference in spatial language from the rest of the environment alluding to connotations of shop fits which could potentially offer an environment that can be customised to each resident efficiently without having an impact on the needs of mobility within the room. The promotion of the personalisation of space emphasises an expression of self, which creates an invaluable impact of the life of the resident by providing fundamental cues to their identity. Objects and images with personal meaning can provide valuable reminiscence tools that can be used to communicate along with achieving a sense of ownership and pride. Rather like the kitchen/living areas, the bathroom is a symbol of self-determination and autonomy. Ensuring that, where possible, people living with dementia can continue to attend to their own personal care needs is vital. The loss of this control is particularly traumatic to older people. As designers we can achieve this through a consideration

of universal access features such as barrier free showers or wet rooms, as opposed to traditional over bath showers or raised platforms and an understanding of the adaptions that can be made to the toilet to allow for ease of use. Although there are clearly factors to do with universal design when locating toilets and bathrooms it is also of vital importance to appreciate the ritual of washing and purification, which is embodied within the bathroom. In a sense the bathroom must be viewed as both a corporeal and sensual place. The use of lighting and texture is key in this regard: ensuring that the space is calming, relaxing and above all private. Subtle and soft lighting is a means of achieving this, as is the use of natural texture. Similarly to the kitchen areas it is important to use colour and texture to distinguish useable features for older people with dementia e.g. a contrasting colour of toilet seat and universally accessible taps with grips. A connection with nature also helps to achieve this calming effect. The Universal Design Handbook is a good reference point for the adjustments required for access to bathrooms.

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Dementia_Dining and Tasking Inclusive Lighting is essential, as older individuals require three times as more light as younger individuals. Opportunities for the adaption of features such as lightening levels, glare, depth of perception and flexibility can all improve the quality of the environment, especially in areas where concentration is involved, such as meal times (Rysenbery&Timlin, p.39). Eating skills of residents in mid to late dementia can be improved and retained through the use of well-designed tableware. Key design principles include the reduction in visual acuity and dexterity. Tableware is often complained to be childish with garish colours, cheap plastic materials, and inability to stack and often draw negative attention to the user. The improvement of colour schemes, materiality, and functionality can improve the look of food, aid in recognition of the activity and ability of the user to eat without assistance. Highlighting specific features that are commercially viable and durable can benefit older people through being tailored to best support individual needs. Tableware ranges have evolved to produce full matching

sets that provide durability and functionality. The complete table set allows individual eating needs to be cared for without being singled out by the object that has to be used. Colours such as navy, which have been widely available since the 1940â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s create a domestic feel by avoiding bright colours that can often undermine aesthetic appeal. Colour can be used to emphasise functions of tableware such as handles, allowing the handle to be located and gripped easily. Angled sides and wide openings allow users to interact with objects, by reducing the effort involved with eating by minimising functions such as tipping or pouring to reduce complexity (Rysenbery&Timlin, p.55).

the choice of meals can greatly increase though objects such as plates with high lips, in which single items of cutlery can be pushed against. The materiality of objects can be made from ceramic pieces to create a better tactile relationship with the user helping to create better recognition, confidence and assistance through use.

As dementia develops individuals begin to lose eating skills and concentration on a meal can decrease. Often people can become confused by too many pieces of tableware or multiple items and functions. Often the amount of utensils is reduced by solely providing a spoon, resulting in the meals which are offered to generally have a sloppy consistency. With the aid of bespoke design 21

Dementia_The Challenge for Care to meet social or cognitive requirements for interaction. Best practice would indicate that involving residents in all aspects of their care is the best approach to take. For example, involving residents in cooking, cleaning and washing. One of the last forms of memory which endures in dementia is the procedural memory (carrying out tasks on ‘auto pilot’). Carers can help people living with dementia to remember these functions by carrying out tasks together. This could be cooking, cleaning or washing or even doing something which was part of their careers or life in a major way. An interesting development in this field of reminiscing is the ‘RemPod’- a portable set of props and staging which allows residents in care homes (or living in their own home) to literally become part of a scene from the 1950s or 60s. Age Concern have used the pods in many of their groups to great success, with older people having memories sparked by interacting with the vintage objects and The main challenges for care are centered the set. This is an excellent tool for increasing around the cognitive, physical and social. communication and sociability. Although it may be possible to meet a person’s physical needs it can often be more complex The increasing number of people living with dementia brings with it an increase in the number of carers and care settings required to meet their needs. The varying standards of care received in care homes is strongly linked to the staff to patient ratio. In ‘Home from Home’ (the Alzheimer’s Society report into improving care standards) the suggested staff to resident ratio is 1:4. In many cases this is not achieved. The report also highlighted the need for social interactions between residents and staff to improve the cognitive ability of people living with mid or late stage dementia. Decreased social interaction can lead to a quicker rate of decline and higher instances of depression. The research also found that residents in care homes have on average just two minutes interaction with staff every six hours when a care task (such as feeding or washing) is not being carried out (Sharp, p.14).

The role that carers have in looking after people with dementia is not to be overlooked, and it is valuable to consider within a design the reduction of staff stress and the ways in which architecture can help the staff to carry out tasks.The emotional and mental strain of looking after someone with challenging behaviour can have profound effects on carers. Many charities exist to support people in these roles but there is a potential for architecture to play a part in this support. This may be by considering room adjacencies and layouts which will allow carers to maintain views into various areas of the care setting from an office space or the main entrance or carefully considering places of staff rest. Many of the design principles already outlined also have beneficial effects on the staff members. For example, the materiality and connection with nature of the informal social/kitchen spaces is a universally appealing feature and would potentially reduce stress in everyone who uses it regardless of cognitive ability.

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Dementia_Evoking Memories Creating a sense of place for people living with dementia extends past the description of a room or enumerating the components and elements of a space. It is the affordance of the environmental cues that allow memories to be unlocked and tapped into that can allow an individual to experience place. The environments that take advantage of these cues allow spaces to be read and unlock a door to reminisce, to daydream and remember. Through the affordance of space a reader can leave the literal perception of the room and project a place from their own past, they can understand the space, their thoughts, memories and daydreams to see the room as their own.

our memories, if the house is composed by elements such as nooks, corridors and corners we create refuges for our memories to hide and be more clearly defined in which we can return to in our daydreams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The door of the house who will come knocking? An open door, we enter A closed door, a den The world pulse beats beyond my door.â&#x20AC;? (Bachelard, p. 3-7).

The projection of past, present and future allow the space to adapt different dynamics, which often interfere at times opposing and stimulating memories. Recalling our memories of home allow us to add to our daydreams, our universe and cosmos. Our home provides the corner stone to our memories, by creating a place we create a house for 23

Stroke_What is a Stroke? Strokes are a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and brain cells are either damaged or die. Strokes are suddend and have immediate effect.There are two types of stroke, Ischaemic stroke and Haemorrhagic stroke. Ischaemic stroke happens when something blocks the artery that carries blood to the brain. This might be due to a blood clot or a blockage in the tiny blood vessels deep in the brain. Haemorrhagic stroke involves a blood vessel bursting and bleeding within the brain or the surface of the brain. Main symptoms of a stroke are the inability to smile and lift both arms. Mouth and eyes drooping and slurred speech. The symptoms can be temporary and only last for a short while called Transient Ischaemic attack. In case of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;fullâ&#x20AC;? stroke many do not recover fully and will need to regain control of the affected parts of their body over many years and might need several years of rehabilitation before they can recover their full independence.

those who suffer a stroke earlier in life and the process of recovery may be significantly more difficult. Issues with movement particularly walking, coordinating or communicating are commonplace. People who have their sight affected often feel unsteady and confused which can make moving back to their home difficult and sometimes impossible. Fortunately most stroke patients are able to move back to their own homes and continue living wholesome lives with only minor alterations to their dwelling. Elderly people who experience a more sever case of stroke may need to move to a more manageable arrangement or to somewhere that has linked care.

family, friends and sexual relationships might be problematic after a stroke. With these issues cognitive therapy is often used to help in coordination with meetings with local therapists and counsellors as well as antidepressant and anxiety drugs. The trauma caused to the brain can increase the risk of developing dementia and can change the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behaviour. The most common issues fowling a stroke is mobility and movement, communication, everyday care activities such as dressing and washing, depression and distress, swallowing, cognitive difficulties, visual perceptual difficulties, continence, relationship and sex concerns, memory problems and pain.

There are approximately 1.1 million stroke survivors living in the UK. (http://www.stroke. org.uk) The damage of a stroke can impact numerous aspects of life and well-being and many require a number of treatments and rehabilitation methods. Recovering from a stroke can be difficult and many patients are affected with physiological conditions; Older people who experienced a stroke depression and anxiety disorders are the usually have more complex health issues than most common. Impact on interactions with

Rehabilitation from a stroke is usually done in hospital where many find the hospital environment demotivating. The environmental factors shape together with personal factors the psychological, social and attitudinal context for rehabilitation. Studies have shown that patients undergoing rehabilitation at home took initiative and expressed their goals more than those in a hospital environment.

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SOCIAL

COGNITIVE

- Depression - Memory Loss - Anxiety - Confidence loss - Confusion - Anger - Motivation loss - Emotional labiality - Loss of inhibition - Mood swings - Self-centeredness

PHYSICAL

- Isolation - Loneliness - Stigma - Neglect

- Muscle weakness - Pain - Contractures - Drop foot - Stamina - Changes in sensation - Unaware of position and movement in limbs

Stroke_The Context In 2012 statistics found that there are needsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Within this context it is clear that approximately 152,000 strokes in the UK architects have a significant part to play in every year. understanding how the built environment could potentially help those living with Stroke is the third most common cause of dementia to cope with everyday tasks and mortality and the leading cause of disability in indeed improve the quality of life for those England. Every year there are approximately who may have advanced dementia or be 110,000 new strokes and over one third of living within a lonely setting. In order to do patients are left with moderate to severe this, an understanding of what dementia disabilities requiring long term support, is and how it can affect design decisions is rehabilitation and nursing care. required. The effect of stroke can be devastating, with far reaching consequences for patients, families and their carers. The problems experienced in the long term are often complex, numerous and diverse, spanning health, social and psychological care domains. For many, the full impact of a stroke is only realised following discharge from hospital or community rehabilitation when they are left to suddenly adjust to the full impact of the stroke on their life at home. It is at this stage that many report a sense of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;abandonmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and have difficulty accessing the services they need to address their long term unmet

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Stroke_Local Services Existing Barriers and circumstances hinders the wheelchair and disable users movement. General objectives are to add existing urban elements like alleys, sidewalks, pedestrian bridges and crosswalks for ease of movement. Negligence of design criteria can result in inaccessibility isolating many groups of disable and elderly people, holding them back from participating in social and economical activities.

Greater Manchester Stroke Assessment Tool (GM-SAT) - a purposely designed, evidence based assessment tool which can be used to identify and address long term, unmet, poststroke needs. Whilst work on this project is ongoing, with the six month review now a national requirement within the Department of Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accelerating Stroke Improvement (ASI) Programme, there has, naturally, been a great deal of interest in GM-SAT and we are keen to share the assessment tool and A good urban environment for a stroke the learning we have developed to date in survivor is inclusive within good community relation to its practical application. centres, which provides social activities, good public transport, good housing provision and NHS Specialists are available to help a safe physical environment. Other important with recovery, including physiotherapists, factors for a good safe environment for a psychologists, occupational therapists, speech stroke survivor is well maintained pavements therapists and specialist nurses and doctors. so there is no fear of falling over, places to sit down and rest, and public toilets. Services available in Manchester like the rest of the UK aim to restore confidence and selfesteem and to enable people to live with Stroke in the best way possible. 27

Stroke_Design at the Scale of the Home When a stroke patient returns home that home and whether the home is a safe place environment can have a great impact on their to be rehabilitated in. recovery. Entrance: For people whose stroke has â&#x20AC;&#x153;The home includes the social and cultural particularly affected their sight and ability to environment such as the people who live walk going out of their home can become a there, as well as the physical aspect of the challenge. Steps at the front and back of the home such as steps and layout. It is important house can be a major obstacle to getting out that the home environment be one that and about. Arrangement of ramps and grab supports continuing recovery and safety for rails should be made. the patientâ&#x20AC;?- Julie Westre (strokecenter.org) Bedroom: In the morning symptoms may be Symptoms experienced by stroke patients worse when the patients first get up. A higher include weakness (fatigue), paralysis, bed with a well-positioned high back arm problems with balance or coordination, pain chair placed nearby can help the transition and numbness, problems with memory and from laying down to standing in the morning. thinking, and problems with bladder or bowel As with all rooms easy access storage to avoid control change the way a person functions bending, stretching and searching for items is in the home. Some disabilities may not be helpful. For example sliding door wardrobes noticed until the stroke survivor returns and open fronted cupboards with regularly to daily tasks. Since each person is unique, used items placed in front. changes to the home are most effective when they meet ones specific needs. Whether Bathroom: Getting in and out of a bath a stroke survivor can return to their home becomes more difficult for many people as depends on whether they can take care of they get older and may be particularly difficult them self, how much help they will need at after a stroke. A level access shower or a

wet room can make a significant difference to being able to look after them self in the long term. Small adaptions can prolong use of existing fittings e.g. toilet frames and raised sets, over - bath seat, level taps, grab rails and handrails can all increase safety and independence. As well as a tub math and a hydraulic tub lift. Kitchen: In the kitchen lifting heavy items or climbing and bending to retrieve awkwardly stored objects can become problematic. Adoptions such as installing a level induction hob so pans can be slide across the worktops can be helpful. And eye level oven to avoid lifting and bending can be useful as well as drawers which slide out rather than cupboards with fixed shelves. Visible storage is another useful feature so there is no need to remember where everything is. And a clear worktop of everything except frequently used items makes it easier to make a hot drink with limited movement around the kitchen.

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Heating: Living in a cold home put the stroke patient in greater risk of a new stroke so efficient central heating is essential. A higher background level of warmth throughout all the parts of the home is key. Moving out of a warm, well heated room into a cold room can be particular risky and should be avoided so it is important to have a good central heating system. Lighting: Living in a home with good lighting is important to stroke survivors to live an independent life. Lower light switches and raised sockets to avoid stretching and bending for the patient is key. People whose eyesight is affected by the stroke may become sensitive to colour or bright lights. A combination of a strong, even central light with bright directional tasks is best. Touch sensitive lights or motion sensitive lights can be very helpful for the patient. Remote controlled lighting can also be supportive. Safety: With any health condition which increase the risk of an acute attack its worth thinking of how the home can become

safer, especially for those living at home. As a minimum smoke alarms and carbon monoxide indicators most be installed. Many falls happens in steps, stairs and bathrooms so fitting a second handrail, putting up grab rails and clearly marked edges of steps and stairs is a measure worth taking. Devices such as a temperature, gas and fall devise is key to a safe home for a stroke survivor.

long as it is practical and made safe. For those with a more severe stroke stair lifts can be a possibility or a through floor lift.

Keeping everyday items close to hand or store where easy to see is important for the stroke survivor well - being. There is an increased range of devised that can be installed. A variety of sensors fitted around the home to monitor activity by the occupant When the stroke survivor moves back home or changes in normal activity that can be very changes will be needed to the dwelling to supportive. make it a suitable environment. There are ranges of options to improve the home For people whose stroke has particularly environment. These include considerations affected their sight and ability to walk, going about general design and layout, lighting out of their home can become a challenge. and heating, safety and security, and gadget Steps at the front and back of the house can and equipment. To make moving around the be a major obstacle to getting out and about. home easier perhaps now using a walking Arrangement for ramps and grab rails should aid it might be helpful to change layout and therefore be made by the architectural organisation of day to day objects. Strategically designer. placing sturdy chairs or firm tables where the patients can sit or lean when moving around the home can help. Stairs may be the most pressing problem, but it is currently considered best to try to use stairs for as 29

Stroke_The Challenge for Care “If there is a particular body zone which is sense of belonging and a better changes of a physically weak or vulnerable, the shape quicker retrieval. and texture of the boundary is modified in respect to that particular zone, often by establishing defensive physiological “barriers”. (Bloomer, K. 1955) After a stroke you need to reconnect-to and understand your body again which can be challenging both physically and physiologically. There is the problem of having to relearn how to read the architectural or spatial character of a place and the relationship between the actual body and the physical elements of the place. The rhythm of the everyday life transform and the rhythm you had before the stroke can disappear. Suddenly crossing the road can be a challenge and the “perceived boundary between body, self and the rest of the world transforms.” (Sentha, M, Low,. 2003) The sense of home is stronger when home is not only familiar but also distinctive and is therefore the best place for recovering after the hospital environment. The psychological relationship of the body to space is routine in the stroke survivor and therefore gives a

“The body, the alteration of which are my alterations - this is my body; and the place of that body is at the same time my place”. (Immanuel Kant)

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Stroke_Design at the Scale of the Body After a stroke the stroke survivor need various types of assistance to make a full recovery. Moving and getting back to a â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? routine is crucial for recovery, both physically and mentally. Mealtimes offer special challenges for the stroke survivor. A selection of helping aids is available. Like a universal kettle tipper takes the stress away from making a cup of tea. Other helpful aids are specially designed cups designed with a cut out for the nose to minimise head and neck movement when drinking. Dressing independently can be very difficult after a stroke, especially if when loss of movement and flexibility in arms or upper body. A dressing stick can then be helpful and can be used to pull and push of clothes.

used items placed in front. Getting in and out of a bath becomes more difficult for many people as they get older and may be particularly difficult after a stroke. A level access shower or a wet room can make a significant difference to being able to look after them self in the long term. Small adaptions can prolong use of existing fittings e.g. toilet frames and raised sets, over - bath seat, level taps, grab rails and handrails can all increase safety and independence.

In the morning symptoms may be worse when the patients first get up. A higher bed with a well-positioned high back armchair placed nearby can help the transition from laying down to standing in the morning. As with all rooms easy access storage to avoid bending, stretching and searching for items is helpful. For example sliding door wardrobes and open fronted cupboards with regularly 31

- Sensors for flooding, gas, heating and fire - Hand Rails - Wide Corridors and doors - Easy accessible toilet - Ramps or/and stair lift - Clear signage - Coloured edges - Right flooring - Accessible windows - Non-slip mats

Distinctive needs and aims

Design for movement

Protect against injury

Considerations about: - General design and layout - Lighting - Heating - Security

HOME

CITY

BODY

Aids and equipment

Universal Access

- Well maintained pavements - Plentiful clean public toilets - Good public transport - Well-lit streets - Accessible parking - Plentiful time to cross streets

Inclusion and Community

- Information about opportunities to lead healthy, active lives - Positive relations between generations - Importance of community centres -Visible community police presence

Many people benefit from using special aids or equipment. - Bathing aids - Dressing aids - Furniture - Kitchen aids - Mobility aids - Telephones

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Stroke_Case Study Residence in Gstadt Florian Hofer, Oberneuching Urban Planning Context: The residence in Gstadt was finished in 2007 and is a singlefamily home designed around the specific requirement of the owner confined to a wheelchair since suffering from a stroke. The family previously lived in an apartment designed for disable living. Many standard solutions where impractical, particularly the narrow doorways which often lead to hand injuries. The two-story house has pitched roof and utilities a timber frame construction which is common in Austria, and the result being that the building blends into its surroundings. The house is a 432m2 wheelchair friendly dwelling with six rooms dominated internally and externally by the ramp. The building has an open plan layout, with wide paths and doorways. The facade is clad with plywood panels treated with iron-oxide coating. To the west of the building full height windows provide amazing views to the Austrian Alps.

Stroke Friendly Design: Traditional design solutions have been exchanged by more disabled friendly ones. The building conforms to principles of universal access. The bedrooms are located on the ground floor adjacent to the garage. The corridors are wide and merge into a bathroom that can be closed off by a translucent sliding opaque glass door. A reinforced concrete ramp leads up into the first floor where the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily routine takes place. A lift accessing all levels ensures total freedom of movement for the stroke survivor. The upper level is entirely given over to living space incorporating living and dining zones and a wheelchair accessible kitchen. A workroom and a barrier free bathroom are provided also on this level. Book shelves are cleverly integrated into the ramp balustrade which also acts as informal seating.

from scratch after surviving a stroke is a luxury few can afford, but adaptions may be made just as easily to an existing dwelling in an economic way, where stairs exist the installation of a chair lift might be necessary, more invasive solutions such as the widening of doorways might be essential but for most people this is probably not an option. As designers our considerations should take into account the potential a life changing events such as suffering a stroke, or similar conditions. For those who have the finances to build a disable friendly home this is a good example of sustainable design that is sensitive to the stroke survivorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requirements.

Critical Analysis: As in any design undertaken one needs to understand the clients needs and aims, this becomes more critical when designing for a user who has complex needs and mobility issues. Building a new home 33

Group Research Topics- Key Outcomes [GROUP RESEARCH]

As part of the broad research into the topic, independent groups worked on different topics in order to create a body of knowledge which would be accessible to all members of the MMP unit. In order to make design decisions relating to the urban strategy each of these presentations has been summarised into key outcomes or conclusions. Topics ranged from what makes a city age friendly to travel and infrastructure in the city.

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What makes an Age Friendly City:

ensure well-being

Asking not “how elderly people can live Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in the city”, but “how the city can best Self-care Activities accommodate the elderly population” • Bathing Enabling the best possible quality of life. • Dressing • Eating Encourage Active Aging by optimising • Transferring (bed/sitting/standing) opportunities for Health, Participation & Security. Customising design to the needs Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) of older citizens, particularly those who are Higher level Activities most disadvantaged. • Housekeeping • Cooking Active Aging: • Handling Finances Ageing challenges ones ability to move in • Using Public Transport both Personal & Urban spaces. • Shopping, etc. An age-friendly city promotes active ageing and provides the environment in which to do Psychological & Social Factors so. We become more reliant on the spaces • Cognitive & Emotional Processing and people around us “Unlike for other age • Crime & Security groups, the home environment ‘sets the tone’ • Public Perception for the daily lives of older people” Conclusion: Functional Health: The ‘Age-Friendlyness’ of a City is subjective, Functional status can be defined as a person’s so the city needs to respond to the various ability to perform the activities necessary to needs.

Adequate infrastructure must be in place for the elderly to be more physically and socially active – benches, railings, resting points, better transport and accessibility.

Conclusions: • To support the everyday needs of older people within the city a village typology that is integrated into the wider context seems appropriate. think global act local. • There is a greater importance for older people to have access to amenities close by to maintain and encourage their independence. Main amenities such as a library, post office, dentist, doctors surgery, supermarket should all be within a 600mm boundary (10 minute walking distance). In Castlefield currently this is not the case and our interventions must consider this. • The Rochdale canal merging with the bridgewater canal at Castlefield provides a physical connection to Ancoates and New Islington via the city centre. This offers great potential for restitching fragmented aspects of the urban fabric that currently afford negative place experience. If done sensitively, a regenerated canal route could encourage physical activity amongst older people and

bring much needed energy to currently lifeless spaces. Legibility, accessibility and imageability of site: • Paths and hierarchy of routes: Disconnectedness between movement and energy routes. restitching networks. emotionally positive responses - use, accessible to intergenerational use, revitalising the edge condition of the canal route.

symbolic meaning. This would help with the imageability of the area and help those with The scale and design of new buildings could also respond positively to the landmarks already established in the To support the everyday needs of older people within the city a village typology that is integrated into the wider context seems appropriate. think global act local.

• There is a greater importance for older people to have access to amenities close by to maintain and encourage their independence. Main amenities such as a library, post office, dentist, doctors surgery, supermarket should all be within a 600mm boundary (10 minute walking distance). In Castlefield currently this • Landmarks. Maintain a sense of place, is not the case and our interventions must provide stimulus and are easily recognisable, consider this. which helps with wayfinding. • The Rochdale canal merging with the A way to generate emotionally positive bridgewater canal at Castlefield provides a responses in older people would be to make physical connection to Ancoates and New use of landmarks either through framing or Islington via the city centre. This offers great developing them within the site, especially potential for restitching fragmented aspects those with historical connections or have of the urban fabric that currently afford • Boundary/Nodes - Hierarchy of spaces. underuse of nodes - dead. undesigned, they need to be activated with appropriate programme. social connectedness to wider city. intergenerational use of . Levels of boundary/ thresholds.

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negative place experience. If done sensitively, a regenerated canal route could encourage physical activity amongst older people and bring much needed energy to currently lifeless spaces. Holistic consideration of elements: â&#x20AC;˘ Specific features of the built environment which afford the elderly support, rest, passage, security, safety, etc, require a deeper understanding of their context to be able to positively impact on the mood of the user. â&#x20AC;˘ The outcome of this consideration would be to contribute towards positive mood. For example, a designed seat requires positioning with regards to view, sunlight, shelter, etc for it to be able to generate an emotionally positive response.

Dementia & Stroke Training [RESEARCH]

As part of the research being carried out it was necessary to develop a sound understanding of how ageing affects a person both psychologically and physically. A series of lectures and workshops introduced the key issues for people who have dementia or are living with the effects of a stroke. This gave the group a clear grounding in the key research issues and allowed the work to take on a higher level of detail and understanding of the conditions. Methodology: lectures, training workshops and seminars

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Ageing Seminar Notes: Age Awareness, Laura Dunkel Development Officer – Edinburgh & Lothians 18th September 2013

Two Main Models of Ageing: • Deficit ageing or disengagement theory – The body as a machine, with limits and risks – Ageing as a period of withdrawal and disengagement •Positive ageing or optimum ageing – Remain active with an engaging social life – Focus on what you can do

Across Scotland our older population is growing. We think its really important that we not only improve things for older people today but use their ideas and experiences to improve things for the next generation of older people Reducing barriers: As we age our bodies change: The Process of Ageing: – 1 in 5 people over 75 live with sight loss • Chronological ageing is the definition of – 1 in 2 people over 90 live with sight loss aging based on a person’s years lived from – 6.3 million people over 65 live with hearing birth. loss • Biological ageing refers to the physical – Health conditions can lead to a change in changes that reduce the efficiency of organ our mobility systems. – 1 in 3 people aged over 65 have a fall every • Psychological ageing includes the changes year that occur in sensory and perceptual processes, cognitive abilities, adaptive capacity, and personality. • Social ageing refers to an individual’s changing roles and relationships with family, friends, and other informal supports, productive roles and within organizations

Dementia Workshop Notes: What is dementia?: Decline in mental abilities • More than expected due to age • Not just one type of mental ability, but several • Persists for at least 6 months • Unaltered conscious level • Affects what the person can do or how she behaves What happens in dementia?: • Two or more mental abilities decline faster than they should • Frequently memory decline is present • Usually certain verbal abilities are preserved • Pronunciation • Vocabulary • Dementia = cognitive decline + consequent functional/behavioural change • If <65 years = young onset • If 65+ years = late onset • Lots of diseases lead to dementia :Alzheimer disease, Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neuron disease.

Cognitive Effects: • Difficulties taking in new information • Difficulties retaining information • Difficulties making sense of new information • Difficulties with abstract concepts • Difficulties in predicting consequences • Difficulties with spatial organisation Functional effects: • Difficulties understanding how to use new equipment • Difficulties in doing things in a new way • Forgetting how to do familiar things • Difficulties mobilising, especially over complex surfaces • Patterns • Uneven, odd textures Behavioural effects: • Low mood • Demotivation • Disinhibition

• Fixed ideas & routines • Delusions • Misidentifications -> hallucinations • Agitation

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Chapter Summary: Designing for Dementia: -Environmental Cues Prompt Activity Recognition. - Indoors-Outdoor relationships’ are important to maintain a connection with nature. - Strong relationship between public and private. - Designing for any opportunity for memory and recollection to occur. Designing for Stroke: - Designing for movement to lead to opportunities for healthy active lives. - Design to protect against Injury. - Design with universal access in mind. Age Awareness Presentation: - Deficit ageing or disengagement theory – The body as a machine, with limits and risks – Ageing as a period of withdrawal and disengagement - Positive ageing or optimum ageing – Remain active with an engaging social life – Focus on what you can do Dementia Presentation: - Difficulties retaining information - Difficulties retaining information - Difficulties with spatial organisation 41

Chapter II: Co-Created Environments 1 Research i) Manchester based results ii) Edinburgh based results

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Manchester_Research Results & Analysis [PRIMARY RESEARCH]

The Manchester based research distinguished the important positive and negative aspects of the Bridge Water Canal area through four combined research tools: an open based PCT, the walk around filming, triadic sorting and a picture based questionnaire. Through the use of these tools, the analysis of the environment revealed which elements of place could create affording, barrier free environments that could then be developed into our design propositions at the scale of the city down to the scale of the body. PCT is a tool, which is used to understand our perceptions of the world and how they are processed through each individuals system of constructs. The understanding of “reality constructs” highlights the basis for our subsequent decision-making, and how the individual uses their personal “construct system” to make sense of their experience. The bipolar natures of constructs allow any aspects of place experience to be distinguished as opposites (eg. Sheltered or Open, Light or Dark, Colourful or Dull). In the analysis of place, the key terms, elements, constructs and actives help to interoperate the position of environmental qualities between the poles of an individuals construct system. Methodology: Interviews, PCT based research, film, photography, focus groups.

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Manchester_PCT Research Analysis: Questionnaire + Triadic Sorting

Walkaround: The participants were invited to a onehour walk around the site context, which conversations and environmental behaviour were recorded in short films. During the walk around participants were asked to record 15 significant pictures of the context. The image shows the plan of the site with the densities of where most participants took photographs.

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Images from Triadic Sorting

â&#x20AC;&#x153;...The water is calm and peaceful.â&#x20AC;? - Participant

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The juxtaposition between old and new is interesting...â&#x20AC;?

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“It’s nice when areas are used to their full potential... Markets and outdoor events”

PCT Research Analysis: Questionnaire + Triadic Sorting PCT: Open question PCT based interviews were constructed to elucidate the phenomenological qualities, constructs, elements and activities relating to the Bridge Water Canal and produce responses which feature: constructs, elements and actives in relation to the site context. Triadic Sorting: Participants were invited to discuss the reasoning behind the 15 images taken during the walk around, and distinguish their three favourite images. The method of triadic sorting was then employed was a sorting method for the 15 sets of 3 images to further understand the constructs, elements and activities of the Bridge Water Canal in the minds of the elderly participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Preferred activities on site: - Socialising with friends - Drinking and eating on site - Visiting bars and cafes The preferred activities on site clearly express how the castlefield site is seen as a social space for leisure with potential to be a multi generational area. though socialising was seen as the preferred activity, keeping the tranquillity of the site was also a key outcome of the triadic sorting questionnaires. therofre we decided to design a green vain on the disused railway raised above the site. by doing so we keep the activities on the green vain leaving the castlefiled site a trnquil place.

- Lack of resting places - Unfriendly surfaces - Lack of public toilets The participants felt strongly about the lack of mobility elements, but thought the site in its self was enjoyable. The canal, greenery and history were seen as positive elements, whilst the water quality of the canal and the extensive car parking was seen as a negative. Drawing on this research we came up with the concept of journeying, particularly for the elderly, stroke survivors and dementia sufferers. The idea is a journey between our sites along a green vein. This journey will be a safe area, with elements taken from the research such as smooth surfaces, public toilets and resting areas for the users to experience and enjoy.

Elements identified by participants as positive Aspects of Place Experience: or negative: - Inaccessible Elements related to age friendliness and - Lack of maintenance - Tranquil mobility: - Peaceful - Lack of safety - Better signage - Inviting - Clearer maps

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- Good views - Wasted potential The participants felt the site was full of potential with the canal running through it, the historic significance and the tranquillity creating a sense of calm. The key finding we incorporated into our design studio was the idea of keeping the peacefulness of the site, and instead built one the disused railway rising above the site and the industrial area surrounding this railway. We also took use of the canal, creating a journey between our sites in a form of a water taxi, which can also bring people from Manchester City centre into the Castlefield Site. PCT questionnaire: The PCT questionnaire was between a student researcher and their allocated participant. The questions were designed to elicit the constructs which make up the place experience that the participants had. The results have been collated into three themes: activities, elements and place experience. Through an analysis of this information it is possible to arrive at some conclusions about

the potential benefits of an architectural intervention. Firstly, the activities theme within the responses had the recurring themes of visiting a pub or restaurant and learning about the history of the canal and area in addition to activities like admiring the views, sitting down and walking around to explore. Within the elements category nature featured most often (23 responses) which seems to suggest people see the area in a positive light. This is conversely related to the place experience aspects which were mainly to do with maintenance of the site and the inaccessibility of some areas for older people.

Within the activities theme the most mentioned aspect was sitting (frequency: 47) followed by walking (frequency: 27), observing/looking/watching (frequency: 24), exploring (frequency: 17) and spending time (frequency: 15). In total there were 66 different activities mentioned with lower frequencies ranging from yoga and cycling to socializing and daydreaming. When we group the activities into themes sitting is again the most prevalent response with 29 responses in the walking/exploring/guided tour category. It is clear from this information that to the older people participating in the study that for them the most important activity they would participate in is sitting within the site or walking around and exploring. As part of the analysis of the site it would be possible to investigate how we, as designers, could better accommodate these desires through more thought through urban furniture design and placement and considering the facilitation of walking and exploring the site for those with reduced mobility.

Triadic Sorting: As part of the research project a triadic sorting method was used after the randomized grouping of participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three selected images from the 15 taken on the site walk around. Each participant completed a questionnaire regarding the image they found to be the most powerful in each set of three. The results of this study elicited several important themes that can be categorized Within the elements theme the responses into activities, elements and place experience. were categorized into positive, negative 51

and neutral. The most frequently mentioned element was street furniture (49 responses) and its location and design- notably providing shelter. This element was followed by information points (frequency: 40), trees and planting (frequency: 35), bridges (frequency: 25), water (frequency: 22) and barges (frequency: 17). The most mentioned negative aspect was Beetham Tower with 10 responses. It is possible to conclude from this theme therefore that street furniture and site information points are the most important to the participants and are seen as positive aspects of a site or place. This clearly correlates to the activities responses of walking and exploring- with street furniture and information points clearly facilitating this behaviour. Within a framework for the site as a whole it is clearly important to consider the deployment and design of benches and how way-finding around the place could be improved to make it an enjoyable area for elderly people to use. It should also be noted that with 127 separate responses in this category that the elements identified are, as

one would expect, varied and diverse within places that are maintained yet, ultimately, this a group of individuals. is a policy issue. Lastly, the place experience category is concerned with perception and experience of the site. The most frequently mentioned aspect was poorly maintained places in the site (40 responses) followed by messy/untidy areas (frequency: 20), the perceived lack of safety in some areas (frequency: 17), enjoying being there (frequency: 15) and good views (frequency: 15). The responses within this section were very varied with 230 separate observations. This clearly shows that there is a vast array of personal opinions/tastes etc. with regard to the place. It is clear from this that place experience is therefore very subjective, although the issues most mentioned of maintenance and untidiness are well represented across the group. Overall, these place experience categories are relatively obvious and not necessarily age specific (i.e. many of the students commented on the obvious water quality issues and upkeep of the area). As designers there is an imperative to facilitate

The triadic sorting method has clearly elucidated many of the constructs which make up the cognitive image of the place, as experienced by the participants. From the information the key conclusions would be that overall the participants enjoy the place and have a range of activities that they would wish to do there, although there are clear shortcomings with regard to maintenance and upkeep and the provision of street furniture and information. This could be interpreted as legibility- the need for more information infers that the place is not as legible as it could be for the elderly people. This seems to be the key conclusion from the triadic sorting method but many of the interests and concerns within the group were also made clear from the numerous responses.

0 sit walk Observe / look / watch [barges, structures, buildings, canal, surroundings, explore spend time eat Read / learn about the place [typically through reference to an info. relax read visit picnic boat trip cycle Clean pass through swim drink - coffee at a café listen to music socialise leave / exit people watch touch [elements in the environment - e.g. trees, stone] Visit with children boat - take up residence boat trip - guided chat with friends contemplate / reﬂect / think daydream drink drink - at a bar Play take photos walk the dog art class boat - dine onboard canal-boat related activities chat climb trees Cool down on a hot summer day cross over the canal dangle feet in the water demolish and rebuild drink - at a restaurant drink - coffee from a ﬂask drink - pint drink - tea / beer feed ducks Gardening Guides in period costume explaining the site interact with elements in the environment jog kayaking listen to music - a band locate and ring the church bell park car pass by quickly provide assistance to passerby who appears lost rest savour the surroundings shopping spend time in Beetham Tower sunbath view something on display walk - self guided tour walk - take the children for a walk yoga

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Activities participants would like to do

0 Street furniture (positive) [should be plentiful, have back and arm rests, not situated too near the canal, longer benches trees and planting (positive) [a couple of participants spoke about planting needing to be varied and interesting] Water (positive) trees (positive) Canal Beetham Tower (negative) water - reflections in water (positive) bridges Bins (positive) Buildings (positive) Lighting (positive) setts paving (negative) [inaccessible] water café (positive) public art (positive) buildings fencing (negative) natural light (positive) shops (positive) bar (positive) [one participant mentioned the desirability of age-friendly bars] market Pathway scenery (positive) signage (positive) trees willow trees (positive) bricks (positive) cycle racks (positive) grass mix of materials (positive) railings (positive) red brick (positive) 1970s residential development (negative) bricks car park environment (positive) flowers glass enclosure - to create new space (positive) Green space (positive) Historical structures (positive) Machinery (positive) modern housing (negative) pavement (positive) planting which lacks variety (negative) railway street furniture Structures (positive) water - potential hazard (negative) wide pathways (positive) 1980s bridge detail (negative) arcades (positive) architectural elements (positive) balconies over water (negative) Beetham tower big open green space (positive) brick buildings (positive) buildings of different types mixed together (positive) Calatrava bridge (positive) castellated columns of the railway bridge (positive) climbing plants (negative) colonnades (positive) concrete (negative) curb (negative) Dual use building (positive) fair firm ground (positive) flag stones (positive) Georgian windows (positive) graffiti (negative) gym hard landscaping (negative) historical elements (positive) industrial architecture landscaping (positive) large area of pavement (negative) [wasted space] Lighting materials mix of features (positive) modern building (positive) natural environment natural light new bridge (negative) office conversion (positive) old bridge (positive) old industrial elements (positive) Old lamp post (positive) old paving slabs (positive) open space outdoor gym (positive) parasols (positive) pathways (negative) [inadequate] pedestrianized (positive) pitched roofs (positive) plant pots / tubs Power centre protective features on the bridge (positive) railings (negative) red brick buildings (positive) restaurant reused / regenerated warehouse (positive) roof sand shadow cast by bridges signage - large / obtrusive (negative) steps stone pathway (positive) street light sunken barge (negative) terracotta colours (positive) transport (positive) tunnel (negative) Unique, specialist masonry (positive) Victorian ironwork (positive) warehouse water (negative) weathered materials window opening detail (positive) windows in new building (negative) windows of varying sizes (positive) zinc

Elements identified as positive or negative

Peaceful / tranquil / serene

Messy / untidy

Poorly maintained [planting, paintwork, brickwork, trees]

0 whole other world going on at the site'

weather dependent use (negative)

Wary / uncertain about place at night

walkable

visually interesting

vibrant

useable

unusual

unpretentious

unobtrusive

unlovely

uninspiring space

unfriendly

undesirable

unconnected isolated elements'

Too many people may spoil the area's charm

through-point

talking point

striking

solid spaces

social area

slow pace of life

shows a different way of life

seems like planting has spontaneously grown around the ﬁxed structures (positive)

school-like [when describing a bar]

rustic

residential area

requires restoration

relaxed

refreshing

quirky

prison block style housing' (negative)

preserved identity (positive)

Potentially attractive

Potential for activity

poorly renovated

Poor views

pleasant atmosphere

place with potential

place tells a story

place looks like an island

Place generates positive feelings

Place dissatisfaction

Park-like

oppressive

Old juxtaposed with the new (positive)

old and new era mixed (positive)

Not user friendly

not exciting

nodal point

no buzz

new 'mimics' old elements

natural decay (positive)

multiple layers

Moorish

mixture of nature'

Matching colours

Looks like a submarine coming up from the ﬁrst glance

little to do at Beetham Tower

like a doll's house

lifeless

lacks life

lacks activity

it's not just a housing estate

inappropriate use

in need of improvement

human scale (positive)

hotchpotch

historical elements are signposted

hidden

heath hazard

gloomy

functional

feeling of continuity

example of 'developers doing the minimum required...[shows]...thoughtlessness'

Draws you in

dominance overshadows other spaces

doesn't look like an area of much'

development is 'a simple house builder solution'

delicate place

crisp

Continental (positive)

confusing

community [of barges]

charming place

car-centric (negative)

Calatrava-like

Buildings used well

beach-like

badly designed area [at end of canal]

attracts and holds your attention [bridge]

architecture 'makes you look up'

urban

unattractive

small scale (positive)

secluded

Restorative (water)

poor connectivity

perfect place

no understanding of the area's context / purpose

mysterious [arches]

lonely

Intergenerational place (positive)

hard / harsh place

focal point

dangerous

Uninviting

Surprising

Safe

Place to stay

Place evokes the past

New blends with old (positive)

lots going on (positive)

industrial

dark

bright / light

unwelcoming

sense of place

Poor security

Not a place to stay

Good atmosphere

place has potential / development potential

Intriguing [arches, structures]

improvable

dull

accessible

enclosed - no exit (negative)

well maintained

Contrasts [building types, surfaces, old and new, light and dark]

Clean and tidy

nice place / aspects

place satisfaction [participants spoke about liking everything within an image, the image showing a place that is unimprovable and / or being unable to identify something

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Place experience constructs 55

Manchester_Healthy Living: Focus Groups [PRIMARY RESEARCH]

As part of the research in Manchester two focus groups were held with the healthy living participants in order to ascertain key mental constructs which the cohort held about the City of Manchester. The two themes were: Crime and Safety and the Welcoming and Engaging City. The groups allowed the participants to discuss these issues in a group as well as put across their personal opinions. The student researchers also contributed opinions in these meetings. The key outcomes from these focus groups are listed in this section.

Methodology: focus groups, video and audio recording

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Focus Group 1: Crime and Safety + Welcoming and Engaging City

Initial themes – crime and safety and a welcoming and engaging city. Some overlap between the topics that emerged when discussing the themes Social, environmental and economic issues were mentioned when discussing both themes Key themes Active and populated places - Participants felt ‘vulnerable’ or ‘wary’ in empty environments – they were ‘threatening’ places - Wanted buildings to overlook streets and public spaces – even if no one is in these properties it is comforting to have windows etc. overlooking the street – (paraphrase) ‘at least there’s a front door to run to for help’ - CCTV at a train station – it’s comforting to know someone is watching (1 individual) – even when other people are only present remotely this is enough, or better than having

no one present - Empty places don’t contain people you could go to for help - Discussion about whether the city centre’s modern apartment schemes are fully occupied – a couple of participants said they wouldn’t want to live somewhere that was half empty - The ‘buzz’ of Manchester is appealing - Manchester is a good place for families with children – lots of things to do (1 individual) - Housing in the city centre is good - Cafe-culture is good (1 participant) - But - the type of people in a place matter – avoid certain places because certain ‘types’ of people are assumed to be / are present – gangs, rowdy groups

certain places altogether – places that were unlit, places that were empty, places with ‘gangs’ or late night revellers were all avoided - Not buying expensive bikes because they could get stolen – bike racks are not always in the best places – not overlooked (couple of participants) - Moved to Manchester at the time of the Yorkshire Ripper so it was ‘drilled’ into you to take certain precautions when out and about (1 participant) - Changing the times you go out – matinees rather than evening performances – to avoid being on trains with groups of ‘rowdy’ people

Other themes Exclusion / Inclusion - Like communal / inclusive places (1 participant) Modifying travel behaviour to reduce ‘risks’ - Several participants spoke about altering - Obvious security measures like fences etc. routes to avoid passing through certain places can make you feel less safe (1 individual) at certain times of the day or simply avoiding - Moderator introduced the topic of CCTV

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(picking up on a participant’s reference to CCTV) – only a couple commented, not an emotive issue (1 favoured it and 1 didn’t seem convinced of its usefulness) - Gated estates were discussed in negative terms - Manchester’s multiculturalism is attractive (1 individual) - Like the ‘mix’ of people that events and activities in the city attract (1 individual)

(1 individual) - Attract less attention as an older person - More likely to be ignored when passing groups as an older adult (1 individual) - Feels uncomfortable when someone knocks at the front door (1 individual) – people rarely do this so you wonder who it might be, at first the participant links this response to aging but then suggests that it’s nothing to do with aging, it’s about changes in society – you don’t get so many people knocking on your front door now.

Lighting - Well lit streets and places were preferred, didn’t feel comfortable walking down unlit Economic barriers - Some activities in the city are expensive streets – would avoid them (though some are free) (1 participant) - Couple of participants expressed concerns Timing - How safe a place feels alters according to about the continued provision of activities / services etc. with funding cuts – subsidised the time of day / night - Night time can be associated with unlit bus service and libraries spaces, empty places, rowdy groups of people – all things which made the participants feel Ideal home - Different opinions amongst participants – uncomfortable house with a garden for one; nearer the city centre for another – because of the services Aging and vulnerability - Feel more wary as you get older, always feel etc. available – but others expressed concerns you are about to be attacked – like a ‘target’ about the perceived lack of provision of local

shops, such as a butchers and bakers, in the city centre and concerns about living in empty apartment complexes Issues mentioned by only the odd participant - Converting commercial uses to residential is associated with a loss of jobs – this is depressing (1 individual) Sense of place - It’s good that the different parts of Manchester have different characters (1 individual) Travel safety - Feel safer in the car than walking (1 individual) - Feel safer cycling than walking – you’re ‘quicker’ on it so can move through places more rapidly (1 individual) Interaction within the focus groups - Dominated by one individual – but not to the extent of talking over others - Participants generally said little and didn’t typically build / expand or contradict the contributions of others 59

- Several pauses and silences - Moderator introduced several topics to try and prompt a free following conversation between participants but this didn’t really happen - Several individuals knew each other – familiarity inhibiting discussion? - Presence of a councillor – often ‘selling’ Manchester – potentially inhibited discussion - Lots of non-speaking observers – potentially had an impact on discussion - One participant wanted to begin with a different topic – felt that beginning on crime and safety was a negative topic so people would only think about what was bad about the city – this participant twice mentioned it would be good to move onto the next subject, however other participants still had things to say about the first topic - Around a 40 minute session – needed to be longer – ran out of time to explore the second topic in detail.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153; ...even if no one is in these properties it is comforting to have windows etc. overlooking the street...â&#x20AC;? - Older Participant

Manchester_ Design Review [RESEARCH FEEDBACK]

As part of the Semester 2 review programme a trip to Manchester was carried out in order to present the design proposals to the original participants in order to gain feedback on the design progress. Utilising a powerpoint presentation the groups communicated the core ideas of their schemes and the thinking behind each move. The participants completed feedback forms as well as asking questions after each presentation. Methodology: presentation to participants, powerpoint, questionnaire analysis, group discussion.

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Manchester_Design Review Summary Fieldnotes: • Where on the greenline would the cookery school go? • It’s good that the proposal is starting to think about what kind of things might help people with dementia. • Songs and music can be triggers for memories for people with dementia. • Like how the cookery school is about bringing together younger and older people • Like how all the ideas in the proposal are inclusive • Concept of the greenline, journeys and memories are all good but there is an issue with how well they are all connected up • The site might not be the best place for a facility for people with dementia – how can the site be made safe for these people? • Greenline – could make it a safe place for people with cognitive issues • People who live at the site will be more likely to be stimulated by memories of the Hacienda rather than by memories of industrial decline. • Interesting to see how little the site has changed over the years – supports the idea of tranquillity – but is there a tension

between retaining this sense of tranquillity and the goal of bringing the city into the site (an aim mentioned when explaining the memory museum). • Items to include on the greenline – public art, it would be a problem if it became “a dementia enclave”, need to appeal to all the sense – flowers, smell, touch etc., once a decent sized path is provided there are space constraints which will restrict the type of things that can be added, visited a garden where lines of poetry had been included – this was lovely – could this approach be taken on the greenline? • The various nodes on the greenline are great • Issue of safety and security at the greenline – you want enough people to use it so that it feels safe but not so many that everything becomes trampled. If you were on the greenline and it’s a gloomy day you might feel quite vulnerable

for various aspects of ageing and the possible challenges caused, yet they are also inclusive and have general appeal. • Exciting / fascinating that the focus was on evolving concepts to deal with dementia • Interesting that site is relatively unchanged through history – providing tranquillity • Big ideas – take some assimilating! Fascinating though • The urban grain? Identification with surfaces and fabric • Memory museum / green corridor – link to the concept of journey • Food cycle - creativity

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to do that. • Suggest that the design should try to appeal to all the senses – smell, colour, movement etc. • Public art aids orientation / sense of location • Need to take account of safety / issues with good lighting / unrestricted views / overlooking public space • I was involved with setting up an intergenerational cooking group in Salford. Over a few years they were quite successful but not necessarily in the way originally intended.

“The 3 focal points were fabulously chosen for older people. I love all 3, it made me a bit tearful” - Older Participant

Notes on the presentation • Format of the presentation could have been explained at the beginning [e.g. concept based] this would have aided understanding • If the model had been on an OS base with north point it would have been more legible • I felt the introducing film was overly long reducing time for the presentation • Nice video – showed how much improvement could be made to the built environment 65

Edinburgh_Focus Groups & Interviews [PRIMARY RESEARCH]

The Edinburgh Research highlights the significant positive and negative elements of existing interior living environments. The selected elements depict which aspects of existing environments afford or don’t afford ideal environments with an age friendly agenda, for the healthy living and people living with dementia or stroke. The critical analysis of information taken from each focus group developed into a “better living” concept addressed in an age friendly strategy for movement, individual design proposals and affordance studies. Methodology: focus groups, one on one interviews, Talking Mats interviews, questionnaires

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Healthy Living: Interview Series Analysis

Key overarching themes Access to natural light is hugely important – often cited as a favoured feature of the home, plentiful windows were praised, desire to have access to light can inform where a person chooses to live – higher rather than lower floors. Light places were identified as cheerful while the sun was thought to make you feel happy / have a positive affect on mood. Dark places were identified as gloomy, bleak, perhaps unsafe, and should be avoided. They were said to make you feel hemmed in, claustrophobic. Lots of storage space is a must – desire for lots of storage space in homes to accommodate everyday items and items that have been collected over a lifetime which don’t need to be accessed on a day to day basis. Can treat these two types of storage space differently – the first needs

to be readily accessible, the other less so. It was noted that older people tend to hold on to things for adult children, one participant spoke about being the ‘family archivist’. One spoke about wanting to retain items to pass down to younger generations of the family and required ample storage space to do this. Lack of storage space can force older people into giving up some of their possessions. Well-designed storage space is a must – low cupboards that you need to bend down to reach and high cupboards that you need to stand on a chair to reach are not useful, nor are deep cupboards. Participants favoured including compartments in cupboards that you can pull out to access items, rather than reaching around inside cupboards searching for items. Places can be too well maintained – public open space with pristine mown grass and very neat, well-tended flower beds can make participants feel uncomfortable, they would be reluctant to use such spaces and would be very conscious of their behaviour within them – they wouldn’t feel able to relax, let the grandchildren play, walk on the grass, take

the dog for a walk. There was a preference for open spaces to have a rather informal appearance where there are signs of public use. At the same time though, litter and poorly maintained areas were disliked – they were seen to suggest a lack of care, on the part of the community and the authorities. Spacious v’s compact homes – need space to move around in, to avoid knocking into things (which can result in serious injuries for older people), to store things, a spacious kitchen with room for a table was favoured by some. One participant mentioned that by including a table in the kitchen the room can become a more sociable space – without one people tend to just sit in the lounge in front of the TV. One participant commented that as we get older we will spend an increasing amount of time in our bedrooms and so these need to be large enough to accommodate more of our daily lives. One participant felt like a ‘battery hen’ because of the small rooms and low ceilings in her property. Another disliked modern homes because they were seen to provide small rooms with low ceilings. For this participant, although heating her high 67

ceilinged rooms was expensive, she did not want to move to a place with lower ceilings and smaller rooms. Contrasted with this, some participants commented on the desirability of compact homes where everything was ‘to hand’ – however – these participants lived in what appeared to be rather roomy 1 and 2 bed flats, highlighting, of course, the subjective nature of the concepts of ‘spacious’ and ‘compact’. Activities in the home – participants reported a variety of activities including: watching TV, reading, working at the computer, photography, playing computer games, baking and cooking (a couple of participants noted that they used to bake and cook but with only one or two people in the house it now seemed like a lot of effort), sewing, entertaining - having friends or family round, exercising and gardening. The length of time spent gardening, though, has reduced owing to deteriorating health while a couple of participants wanted to garden but couldn’t anymore because of poor health. Larger gardens and trees were seen by some as difficult to maintain. Several participants allocated activities

to particular spaces within their home – participants watched TV on the sofa / in the lounge; worked in the study / the dining room / at the dining room table; did hobbies in a workshop / garage; read in the lounge / in a garden room. One participant mentioned how they moved from one designated ‘zone’ to another within the home to carry out different activities – they liked this and noted that the need to move from place to place meant there was an opportunity to check and correct themselves if they had been spending too long in one place on one activity. A couple of participants, though, discussed how one chair in their living room was a ‘base’ and from this chair they carried out a range of activities – reading, listening to the radio, watching TV, using the computer, eating their meals – these individuals tended to like how multiple activities were possible within the one location Stairs – several participants spent time discussing their use, or non-use, of stairs – this was typically a topic introduced by the participant (e.g. there was no talking mat image about stairs). A couple noted that

stairs in the home or to the home prompted an appreciated episode of physical activity, however, several others reported that they avoided using the stairs in their home or were very aware / wary when using them – following an accident or because of mobility problems – or found it difficult to use them. One participant said she brought all the items she might need during the day downstairs in the morning so that she didn’t need to go back up the stairs until the evening. A couple noted that they would not be able to come and go from their property without a lift. Others commented that while they could manage the stairs at present there will come a time when they won’t be able to and they will have to move. One noted that if they were looking for a property now they might not select their current home because of the stairs. Another commented that, owing to the difficulties encountered when using stairs, it’s better for older people to live on the ground floor, while this location also provides the benefit of access to outside space. Several participants were, though, firmly against ground floor living. For these participants, living above the ground

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floor delivered a range of benefits – more privacy, greater security, more natural light, better views and fewer disturbances. Double bannisters, wide stairs and straight staircases were all identified as preferred stair designs / features – they were seen to make access up and down stairs easier.

carrying rubbish down stairs and out to one of these bins was difficult / tiring • Recycling facilities (close to the home) • Straight and wide staircases • Double bannisters on stairs • Sound insulation in homes • External lights – outside properties, on streets, at bus stops – provides a sense of safety, there’s a fear of tripping when walking and you can’t see the pavements, older people were said to feel vulnerable in the dark

Multiple important features - Many features in the home and neighbourhood were identified as important (see talking mats analysis), but, interestingly (and surprisingly given the WHO’s perspective that all were important), the participants didn’t all identify Pavements – very high priority placed on every item in the talking mats exercise as the presence of pavements, on smooth important. pavements that are free from obstructions and on pavements that separate cyclists Additional important features – participants from pedestrians. The emphasis placed were asked if they would add any additional on these items has increased with age – items to the 17 items discussed in the talking when participants were younger, uneven mats exercise. Additional items identified as pavements were never a concern. Now important were: uneven pavements can be a barrier to • Bin storage facilities – need a space to keep going out alone and can dictate the routes your bin that is close to the street so it is easy one takes when going out. The poor state to bring out on collection days of Edinburgh’s pavements was commented • Easy to use waste disposal facilities – Biffa upon often. One participant noted, however, bins were too heavy for some people to use, that perfectly smooth pavements can be

treacherous in the winter months. Cyclists on pavements were a concern – it was noted how quiet cyclists are, they seemed to appear out of nowhere. Cyclists were also criticised for failing to give way to pedestrians with their dominance of certain routes leading to participants avoiding these paths entirely. A couple of participants were frightened of being knocked over by cyclists - this had happened to one participant. Climbing up kerbs proved difficult for some. A lack of dropped kerbs, or cars blocking dropped kerbs, was annoying – it meant that individuals had to walk around trying to find a place to cross the road. Pavement obstructions were troubling – when responding to images A and B – residential streets with a couple of cars parked on the pavement - several participants picked these parked cars out as a problem. Obstructions were seen to make it difficult to move along a pavement and can prompt you to walk in the road, which is unsafe. Trees and planters on pavements were liked by certain participants – tree lined boulevards were thought attractive and relaxing - but they were disliked by others – they were seen to create an obstruction. 69

to meet neighbours. One participant was interested in the idea of co-housing schemes where residents collectively own and manage a scheme that features certain shared spaces – e.g. a shared dining hall, kitchen, garden. Public green space was liked by some partly because it was thought to offer opportunities for interaction; likewise outdoor seating. Such views indicate that the participants believe the design of the built environment impacts on behaviour and on opportunities for prosocial behaviour. One participant noted, though, that we live differently now, there isn’t the collective lifestyle that there used to be, while people aren’t used to living in more communal environments like tenements, it was suggested that planners and designers need to be aware of this when designing places. In reflecting on this interest in sociable spaces, it’s important to note that most participants were recruited through groups and networks. This might suggest that individuals were predisposed to enjoying interacting with others and thus to sociable spaces. Indeed, a number mentioned involvement in a series

of groups, networks and committees while all had decided to take part in a research project that involved interacting with researchers. Would older people who do not join any groups and self-select out of a research project that involves interaction with others be equally disposed to sociable spaces? Further, the majority of participants lived alone: perhaps a lack of social interaction in the home partly explained the desire for social interaction outside the home. Would older people who do not live alone be equally interested in opportunities for social interaction outside the home? Privacy - The desire for social contact and interaction sits alongside a desire for privacy. A couple of participants wanted homes to be set back from pavements to prevent people walking past and looking into front windows. Some participants favoured access to a private garden rather than a shared garden. Having your own front door was important. Properties were seen to need good sound insulation so that you can’t hear your neighbours and your neighbours can’t hear you. A perceived advantage of living above

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the ground floor was increased privacy. Mixed age rather than age exclusive communities - There was support for living in areas featuring a mix of ages – none of the participants favoured communities preserved only for older people. A couple of participants spoke about enjoying seeing and hearing children playing. However, one participant noted that living near young children or teenagers would not appeal because of the potential for excessive noise. Safety – relating to threats to the person from others and threats to an individual’s health and wellbeing - visible security features: cameras, gates, neighbourhood watch signs seen by some as an indication of potential threats, made some feel less safe and were thought to make places appear unwelcoming. One participant favoured avoiding visible security features entirely unless there was a real problem with crime. However, some felt these features did impart a sense of safety and several appreciated why a household might want to include these features at their home. Being on a higher floor (rather

than ground floor) made people feel safer – one participant spoke about feeling ‘above’ anything that happens on street level. There was a common worry / concern about tripping over in the home or when out. The dark – unlit streets – made people feel vulnerable. Individuals would often reflect on how their health might deteriorate in the future and what impact this might have on how they lived and where they lived. A couple spoke about eventually needing to move to another property because the stairs / size of the current home will become unmanageable.

with their homes. Just 2 were unhappy – one wanted to move and had put their home on the market (no buyers), another would like to move but could not afford anywhere else. Green spaces – green spaces did not emerge as a key talking point within the interviews. They were not identified as an important feature by all participants in the talking mats exercise. They were not spontaneously mentioned when individuals were asked to describe aspects of their home that they liked (or disliked). A couple of participants had access to a private or shared garden but did not make use of it. One participant actively disliked including trees on streets – they were thought to be a barrier to mobility. Given the attention green spaces received in the focus group (see FG transcript) the relatively limited attention they received in the interviews was surprising.

negatively, with monotonous, box-like, ‘samey’, featureless, characterless buildings. A couple of participants favoured older buildings to buildings with a more modern appearance / design. In the image based exercise, some participants picked out the presence of modern buildings in a place featuring older building as undesirable – they felt the modern buildings should blend in with the older buildings. Measured views – participants would often point to the pros and cons of a particular feature failing to conclusively identify something as either wholly good or wholly bad – this creates issues when designing places, should these features be included or excluded? • Stairs - difficult to negotiate and tiring, but, they keep people active • Wide corridors – important for people in wheelchairs or with sticks, but, you can feel more vulnerable to falls in a wide corridor • Spacious property – you can entertain and accommodate friends / family, store things, move around easily, but, heating bills can be higher, there’s more house to maintain /

manage and it’s nice to have everything ‘to hand’ and compact. • Outdoor seating – good to have places to rest and to sit and observe a place (e.g. in a park) but they become a focus for antisocial behaviour Changing preferences - Some preferences and attitudes have changed as participants have got older while some have remained the same: • Preferences for space, access to natural light and greenery seem to be perennial • Feeling vulnerable in the dark, in underpasses – recent concern linked to getting older – prompts a preference for external lighting on streets, outside homes, at bus stops • Preference for smooth pavements – recent preference linked to getting older – real concern about the quality and maintenance of pavements • Concerns about stairs and about navigating the change in level between the pavement and road surface – recent concerns linked to getting older

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Stroke Survivors: Focus Group Analysis

Discussion 1: What kinds of environment, or what aspects of an environment, have a positive affect on mood, i.e. what places or aspects of places make people feel happy, interested, excited, alert, curious, determined, inspired or enthusiastic? Environments / aspects of the environment which result in positive mood conditions: • Colour • Space indoors and outdoors for two participants space was the most important aspect of an environment. One spoke about difficulties in judging distances on the side of her body affected by the stroke – she was concerned about bumping into people and objects and so wanted space to freely move around without such concerns. Another noted how lack of space or concerns about lack of space leads to certain places or events being avoided. • Places with fewer people - post-stroke a

couple of participants spoke about wanting to avoid places where there were lots of people – buses, airports, busy shopping streets, theatres. There were concerns about bumping into people while one participant was self-conscious of her how she walked post-stroke – she didn’t want to be ‘on show’ in front of lots of people. One participant found crowds frightening. • The beach – open, lots of space, no one to see if you have difficulties walking, soft sand if you fall over • Community – knowing your neighbours and having good neighbours, having conversations with people • Seeing children playing • Light – places need to be well-lit particularly where people have a visual impairment. Poor lighting makes it very difficult to move around, fear of falling as you can’t see where you’re going. Finding your way down the stairs in a cinema or theatre when the lights are dimmed, and the lack of a handrail to hold, is particularly problematic. • Guide lines on stairs– useful if you have a visual impairment – makes you feel safer and more confident as you can see where you’re

going, this supports independent mobility • Handrails on stairs – gives a great sense of security and confidence. • Grab rails in bathrooms – gives you a sense of security • Walk-in showers – made a huge difference to a participant’s life – before she had been very frightened of falling when getting in and out of the bath. Fear of falling in the shower was common to several participants. Though showers were thought to be easier to use than baths, participants loved having baths and missed them. • Lifts and stairlifts – stairs presented challenges • Sounds – pleasant, relatively unobtrusive background sounds - bird song and children laughing / playing, music – more peaceful environments were favoured, one participant favoured silence though another commented that too much silence is depressing. Loud background noise can lead to certain places – bars, cinemas – being avoided. • Wildlife – watching birds in the garden was popular, people found it interesting and amusing • Green spaces – all participants felt green 73

spaces had a positive affect on their mood, they were identified as calming and relaxing and helped to lift your spirits.There “is nothing as beautiful as nature” noted one participant. • ‘Big old trees’ • Museums – they offer space, colour and light, interesting things to look at and they’re usually accessible • Flat topography – very difficult to go up and down hills (of any height) when you have mobility problems, ‘it’s so much easier when everything is on the flat’. • Public art • Variety in the built form – different architectural features • Libraries and mobile libraries • Outdoor seating – need to include seating in greenspaces so that you can enjoy spending time in them. Need to include seats in shopping areas so there is somewhere to rest. Commenting on Princes Street, one participant noted that due to the lack of benches they had to stop for a rest in the bus shelters. Seats need to be high so they are easy to sit down on and get up from. • Interesting views from your home (this was contrasted with ‘plain, flat’ views) – views

could be of buildings, greenspace, a skyline etc. • Historic buildings • Opportunities for gentle exercise such as gentle exercise classes, a gym • Water – one participant commented that it was calming to watch the tides at the coast Discussion 2: What kinds of environment, or what aspects of an environment, have a more negative affect on mood, i.e. what places or aspects of places make people feel unhappy, isolated, vulnerable, afraid or nervous? • Poor accessibility for people with mobility problems – stairs, no handrails, no lifts, cobbles, cramped spaces – this doesn’t just have a negative affect on mood, it actually makes life more frustrating, more difficult. Waverly train station was identified as a particularly inaccessible place. • Sounds – loud background noise / music in bars / cinemas – can’t hear anything over it, prevents conversation – results in some participants avoiding these places. Other disliked sounds included station announcements, persistent noise, building

works and traffic noise • Modern technology – mobile phones, computers – can be confusing to use, or, though you may understand how to use a device, the way it’s designed makes it difficult / impossible to use - it feels sad to be excluded from using modern technology because of design issues • Underpasses – dark, teenagers and others hang around in them, one participant will never use them and will go out of their way to find an alternative way to cross a road, another mentioned that they could be improved with better lighting and artwork • Mobility aids – could be designed to be more appealing to use, if you use one it can make you feel like an ‘old person’ - one participant noted that her farther refused to use a walking aid because it made him look and feel like ‘an old man’. Further, mobility aids identify you as ‘different’. • High rise buildings – Awful to look at and to live in. Concerns about being stranded on a top floor if the lifts break. Participants associated these buildings with anti-social behaviour and minimal investment in maintenance and upkeep. High rise flats at

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Sighthill, Edinburgh were identified by one participant as particularly awful to look at. • Buildings that resemble concrete blocks • Lack of space – indoors and outdoors – One participant felt unhappy during the process of downsizing to a smaller home in a sheltered housing complex because she had to give away many possessions • Large groups of school children gathered in the street, outside shops etc. – intimidating • Crowds – frightening • Litter, rubbish, dog mess • Perfume – one participant was allergic to perfume, she would like people not to wear perfume in public places • Supermarkets – can have poor access • London underground – crowds, lack of space, stairs – one participant noted: ‘what used to be an adventure is now an ordeal’ • Lack of own private garden • Dogs off leads – it’s intimidating when you encounter a dog running off the lead in a park etc. • Bad neighbours / bad area – being in a place where you are concerned about your safety, where you feel insecure has a big impact on your mood and general sense of wellbeing –

you would feel that people might harm you, scared of potential violence • Uneven pavements with dips where puddles form • Tiled outdoor surfaces – when they are wet they become very slippery prompting fears of falling • Graffiti • Dark spaces – lighting is very important particularly if you have a visual impairment.

Dementia: Interview Series Results In the morning home makes the participant feel Aspects of the home favoured • ‘absolutely fine’ – very comfortable, the • Situation and outlook – lovely views over accommodation is good, plenty of rooms the shared private gardens giving enough space for two people to move • Accommodation is good – size, number of around without feeling on top of one another rooms, spacious (it’s a 2 person household), the rooms aren’t • Shared gardens – lovely, spend time in them too big though, not overwhelmed by them in the day and evening in good weather, meet up with neighbours for an evening drink in In the afternoon, home makes the participant the gardens in the summer feel • Good neighbours that the participant • Not always in in the afternoon – might be knows – it’s a sociable street, the makeup of out playing golf the street has changed – used to be older couples and singles now there are lots of In the evening, home makes the participant families – like seeing and hearing the children feel playing in the shared gardens • Very nice – it’s quiet, no traffic goes past • Comfortable • Nice light – south facing property Activities in the home • Read Aspects of home disliked: • Watch TV • Top for flat – lots of stairs to climb (but • Paint have a stair lift for carrying bags / luggage • Listen to music etc.) – but without being on the top floor • Go out for walks around the local area, wouldn’t get the views enjoy walking, Edinburgh is a very walkable • Maintenance – old property city – no mobility problems so happy to walk • No insulation – costs a lot to heat around the city The home:

Home improvements • There’s no insulation of any type anywhere in the home – makes it very expensive to heat and the rooms are large so this further adds to heating costs (but participant doesn’t heat only one or two rooms and just lives in those – heats the whole home) Images: Image A and B Preferred image: A Aspects of image A liked • People • Sunlight • Nice trees • Looks spacious • Pleasant • No bus routes running straight along the street – noise would be a problem Nothing disliked about the image Being in the place shown in image A would make the participant feel: • Pleasant – pleasant street, pleasant

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properties, pleasant people, it looks like a features being included with a property, nice neighbourhood depends on the nature of the area as to whether they are needed, not felt the need for Activities in image A them in the participant’s own neighbourhood • Say hello to people on the street, pass the but there is a neighbourhood watch group time of day Nothing disliked about image C Improvements • The trees and the buildings look rather new Being in the place shown in image C would – need time to mature and grow then the make the participant feel place will look better • Pleasant – there might be neighbours to talk to, looks like a place where people spend Image C and D time keeping it well maintained

• Well looked after • Nicely mowed – can see the lines on the grass from where it’s been cut • Shrubs look good • Hedge looks trimmed • Tidy Aspects of image E disliked • Would be nice to have some seating Being in the place shown in image E would make the participant feel • Pleasant – looks a reasonable sized area of green space so you wouldn’t feel cramped

First impressions • Image C – detached or semi-detached house with a nice hedge • Image D – part of a row of houses

Activities in image C Activities • Light gardening • Would be room for children to play – play • Sit quietly in the sunshine • Have a chat to people ball games

Preferred image: C

Improvements Improvements • Add more trees to the front garden to • Seating create a vertical element in the street scene • Picnic area • Place for children to play and not disturb Images E and F: Preferred image: E (‘not other park users Talking mats difficult!’ – image F is covered in litter)

Aspects of image C favoured • Open • Interesting • Nicely kept gardens

Security features: no objections to security Aspects of image E favoured

Identified as important 77

• wide passages and doors – don’t want to bash into things • adequate storage space – as you get older you accumulate things, acquire more hobbies and interest, and you need ample space to store all this stuff • rooms or spaces that are large enough to move around in • even floors and surfaces to walk on – inside and outside buildings it’s important for thoroughfares to have flat surfaces so they are safe to walk on • suitable bathroom facilities – like having bath and shower facilities, got two bathrooms in the home and this is very convenient (it’s a 2 person household) • suitable kitchen facilities – cooker, fridge, waste disposal system are all necessary. Like having space for a table to be able to eat in the kitchen rather than having to go into the formal dining room for every meal • able to maintain a comfortable temperature – very important as you get older • Lift (in block of flats) – important in flats, no lift in own block but have a stair lift to bring up luggage / bags etc., stairs will eventually become too difficult to manage

• local parks or green spaces – lucky in Edinburgh that it’s got lots of green space • outdoor seating • streets have pavements – need to have a way of separating pedestrians from the traffic • pavements that separate pedestrians from cyclists and vehicles – pet hate is cyclists on pavements • pavements that are free from obstructions • smooth pavements – become more important as participant has got older Identified as not important • homes are close to services and facilities – things don’t need to be on your street, participant doesn’t mind walking 15, 20 minutes to access services and amenities, but notes that he doesn’t have any mobility problems • public toilets – wouldn’t want these within a neighbourhood • pedestrian crossings – don’t need these in a neighbourhood Observations / comments • Natural light and ventilation in all rooms is good but it’s not always possible

• Participant encounters no problems using public transport • Favour mixed age communities and being within a community – wouldn’t want to live in an age exclusive development • Lots of advantages to living in a city – lots of facilities and amenities and things going on – this is good, would be difficult experience living in a rural place • So lucky to live in Edinburgh where everything is walkable

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Talking Mats Research Analysis [PRIMARY RESEARCH]

Following a training day in Semester 1 a series of interviews were carried out using the Talking Mats communication system. Talking Mats is a resource to enchase communication, in particular for people living with dementia. The tool help people at all stages suffering with dementia to communicate and has been found very successful in aiding communication. Second Semester we took part in the Edinburgh research interviewing healthy volunteers age between 60 and 85.Talking Mats was a large part of this interview using it as a tool to fully understand the participantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s views on mood, mobility and place in the home and the surrounding environment Methodology:Talking Mats communication tools,1 to 1 interviews.

Conclusions Healthy Volunteers Edinburgh Research From the Edinburgh Co. Created Environments research, Talking Mats and 1- 2- 1 interviews with healthy volunteers we gathered successful information that informed our design decisions.

Additional important features identified by participants in the talking mats exercise included:

- Bin storage facilities – need a space to keep your bin that is close to the street so it is easy to bring out on collection days - Recycling facilities - Straight and wide staircases Key findings in this research was the - Double bannisters on stairs - Wide corridors – important for people in importance of: wheelchairs or with sticks, but, you can feel more vulnerable to falls in a wide corridor - Access to natural light - Spacious property – you can entertain and - Adequate storage space accommodate friends / family, store things, - Well maintained public spaces, - Spacious homes with easy circulation and move around easily, but, heating bills can be higher, there’s more house to maintain / activities manage and it’s nice to have everything ‘to - smooth pavements - Social spaces to gather, hand’ and compact. - Sound insulation - Privacy - Security - Green spaces - Good views.

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Chapter III: Site Analysis + Urban Strategy

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“When man dwells, he is simultaneously located in space and exposed to a certain environmental character. The two psychological functions involved may be called ‘orientation’ and ‘identification’. To gain an existential foothold man has to be able to orientate himself; he has to know where he is. But he also has to identify himself with the environment, that is, he has to know how he is a certain place”. (Norberg-Schulz, p.19) 83

Site Analysis [PRIMARY RESEARCH]

In order to create an architecture that will fundamentally improve the well being of people, both young and old, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the place. Successful architectural interventions respond to the inherent forces present in a place- these may be tensions, boundaries, transparencies etc. or it may relate to the quantitative analysis of collected data. In both of these instances this analysis study will attempt to unravel the character of the Castlefield site in Manchester and inform the design process from a phenomenological, and indeed practical, viewpoint. The key question being posed (from the scale of the body to the city) is which aspects of the place generate Topophilia or Topophobia for people, and especially for elderly people. Utilising data gathered from Personal Construct Theory based questionnaires with elderly participants in Manchester, and studies of the urban context, this research attempts to unravel the key characteristics of the place in order to inform the design process. As part of this MMP 2 submission a book was created containing the above site analysis information and conclusions used to influence the design. Methodology: drawings, audiovisual work, books, analysis of data, architectural site analysis

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Site Analysis_Historical Importance Manchester was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, and was referred to as ‘Cotonopolis’ due to the rapid growth of the textile industry during the mid 19th century, though weaving in the city has been traced as early as the 13th century. Manchester saw it’s population swell as people moved from the countryside to the city centre, as well as from Ireland and further afield. Other industries included iron-founding, engineering, as well as early chemical industries like bleaching and dyeing. Commerce and trade remained more important to the city’s fathers than manufacturing, and the city sought to rival Liverpool. Many fine buildings associated with trade were built and rebuilt due to rapid economic expansion, such as The Exchange, (1869-74). The city also had some of the earliest provision for policing and lighting at night by the late 18th century. Manchester was a leading centre for manufacturing, though the city’s economy is now largely service-based. Comparing the modern day view of the Castlefield area with

the information available in historic maps, it is clear that Castlefield and Deansgate were entrenched in the industrial and commercial activity of the city of Manchester. Historically, infrastructure like the Bridegwater Canal played an important role in the city’s economic growth. The rail links afforded by nearby freight rail depots (now cleared) and Manchester Central Station just to the Northeast of the site (now the convention centre), connected Manchester to the Northwest of England and the rest of the United Kingdom, and thereby the larger economic activity of the British Empire. At the turn of the 20th century the city was reaping the benefits of one of the most ambitious municipal undertakings of the 19th century, The Manchester Ship Canal, which opened in 1894. It provided direct link to Liverpool and to the Irish Sea, and made Manchester a port of international stature as well as diversifying the economic base of the region, this huge growth meant that the interwar years were weathered well in the face of the economic hardship felt across the

globe. The city became the financial centre for the North of England and remains so to this day, this significant accolade is reflected in the extensive commercial buildings on Oxford Street and around the city, that reflect through architectural prowess the incredible confidence and assurance of the city’s businesses. Manchester like other major industrial cities in Britain, was hit hard by the decline of Imperial and colonial activity in the wake of the Second World War. The cotton industry had been in decline since the 1930’s and had virtually collapsed by 1950. The impact of global conflict and the subsequent abatement of industrial activity at home, resulted in large portions of the city that had been active manufacturing centres historically, were then left abandoned or cleared. This brownfield legacy is an issue for urban planners and theorists. The urban areas in many major cities in the UK are marred by these unsightly gap sights, a trace of a former age. It is a point for debate at many levels of government and the area which we are looking at in 85

Manchester displays many of the symptoms of post industrial decline. With regards to Manchester’s current economic health, it is known as being a centre for Educational excellence with the University of manchester frequently listed amongst Britain’s best universities. This was something that was secured in the post war period when the city had to reinvent it’s self, in the dawn of a post-industrial economic climate. From the mid 1980’s through to 2000 the Castlefield area of Manchester was subject to a fairly comprehensive regeneration scheme that saw the conversion or demolition of disused warehouses and factories, and a new vision for a vibrant residential community, fronted with the idea of loft style living by the historic canal and serviced by leisure facilities such as bars and restaurants.

been an old warehouse, but is now luxuary flats. Another, The Quay bar completed in 1997 won several awards, including an RIBA prize. It was built by architects Stephenson Bell. Sadly due to poor management and Important Manchester based architecture vandalism coupled with the global economic firms like Stephenson Bell and Ian Simpson slump, it was unable to be salvaged and was and Urban Splash, contributed to the demolished in 2007. redevelopment of the site, as well as statement urban interventions like the Merchant’s Bridge, by engineering firm Whitby & Bird, 1996. Which was commissioned by the CMDC and links Catalan Square to Slate Wharf across the canal, which increased permeability on the site. The brief stated that; ‘The new bridge . . . should be unambiguously a design representative of the late 20th century which will contribute another stratum to the historic layering which a feature of Castlefield, and which will reflect the changing pattern of uses that the area is now undergoing.’ (Parkinson-Bailey, p.290) the importance of Castlefield and the Bridgewater Canal in Manchester’s story as the industrial epicentre of the North of England.

The regeneration vision was ambitious and was funded by both private and public The vision was unashamedly contemporary, investment, for example English Heritage one of the key buildings in the site as grant aid. The scheme sought to reaffirm redevelopment was quay one, which had

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Site Analysis_Urban Morphology

“Shaping the city for sensuous enjoyment is the process of development is deduced from comparison of historic maps. an art separate from architecture.” - Kevin Lynch 1960. Special attention is given to how the physical Urban morphology is the study of the form form of a city changes over time and to of human settlements and the process of how different cities compare to each other. their formation and transformation.The study Another significant part of this subfield deals seeks to understand the spatial structure with the study of the social forms which are and character of a metropolitan area, city, expressed in the physical layout of a city, and, town or village by examining the patterns of conversely, how physical form produces or its component parts and the process of its reproduces various social forms. development. This can involve the analysis of physical structures at different scales as well The essence of the idea of morphology as patterns of movement, land use, ownership was initially expressed in the writings of or control and occupation. Typically, analysis the great poet and philosopher Goethe of physical form focuses on street pattern, (1790); the term as such was first used in site, pattern and building pattern, sometimes bioscience. Recently it is being increasingly referred to collectively as urban grain. In used in geography, geology, philology and our drawings and research we have been other subjects. In American geography, urban employing the writings of Kevin Lynch ‘The morphology as a particular field of study Image of the City’, as the basis for our analysis owes its origins to Lewis Mumford and James Vance. of Manchester and the Castlefield site. Analysis of specific settlements is usually Urban morphology is also considered as the undertaken using cartographic sources and study of urban tissue, or fabric, as a means

of discerning the underlying structure of the built landscape. This approach challenges the common perception of unplanned environments as chaotic or vaguely organic through understanding the structures and processes embedded in urbanisation.

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A series of sketches exploring the Lynchian analysis of the Castlefield site 89

Following the analysis of the Manchester PCT based research six themes were identified as having an importance to the Castlefield site. The Socioeconomic Landscape, Nightscape, Waterways, Green Space, Anchor Buildings and Infrastructure. These themes are elucidated in more detail in the following pages, including explanations of the interconnections with the MMP1 work.

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Site Analysis_Anchor Buildings

Wayfinding is key to create a suitable urban environment. Successful wayfinding occurs when the navigator can make correct navigation decisions that take him from his present location to a destination that fulfils his larger purpose. The imageability of a large-scale space is the ability of a navigator to form a coherent mental image or map of it. We have been investigating Kevin Lynch â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s ideas on how the characteristics of an urban space affected how well people remembered features in it. Lynch found that the city is organized trough: paths, landmarks, regions, edges and nodes. Landmarks are memorable locations that help to orient the navigator; and is a good way to locate yourself in the industrial city of Manchester. We have particular focused on landmark in our MMP 2 group work due to the location of the site in the city of Manchester which is filled with new and old landmarks. The landmarks in and around the site provide the city with orientation cues and memorable locations.

The theme of landmarks is one we chose to especially those with historical connections focus on due to the information the Mood, or those, which have a symbolic meaning to Mobility and Place research from MMP1 generate positive responses in older people. concluded. Landmarks and wayfinding is a particularly important aspect of moving about in a city for elderly people, stroke survivors and people living with dementia. Seeing familiar landmarks gives a sense of belonging and orientation that is universally understood. landmarks are the most important themes of wayfinding related to the elderly generation as it gives them a sense of place, provide stimulus and can give people the confidence to move about more confidenly in the large city of Manchester. Moving forward with our MMP3 project we all hope to make our chosen sites easy to navigate and focus on the landmarks around the site to create a good wayfinding environment for stroke survivors, people living with dementia and elderly people. We hope to take wayfinding and landmarks into our design project through framing or developing the landmarks on the site, 91

Site Analysis_Green Space

Manchester was and is an industrial city so the lack of green space is to be at a premium. As outsiders we felt Manchester city centre is somewhat “grey” with a lack of greenery something our participants agreed with. But is there ever enough green space? In an industrial city like Manchester we feel the city can afford some more greenery, it doesn’t need to be big grand parks, but some more planation and green ally’s within the concrete and stone setting could be beneficial to the inhabitants of the city. Manchester is a beautiful city with plenty of charm due to the industrial atmosphere, but as we researched in MMP1 green space creates social, economic and environmental well being for all, especially for stroke survivors and dementia sufferers who benefits from more green spaces for their mood and mobility. Moving on with our MMP3 project we will all be designing an overall strategic master plan that incorporates green connection, pathways and spaces that will particularly benefit older people and improve their mental and physical

health. Allotments and orchards will be apart of this overall scheme, which will lead to physical movement, gain of daylight and social interaction.

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Site Analysis_Infrastructure

In terms of Infrastructural elements in a city one is generally talking about those physical elements that facilitate basic economic functioning, such as roads, bridges, sewers, electrical and telecommunications and water supply. The production of goods and services, and also the distribution of finished products to markets. Basic social services such as schools and hospitals, would also be considered infrastructure. Manchester is a large city of about 512,000 inhabitants within the city centre and an urban area comprising about 2.5 million,it is the second most populous area in the UK, it has a sophisticated transportation system but suffers from congestion. It has historic canal routes as well as two rivers that may provide an alternative mode of transportation around the city. The drawing shows the primary transport routes isolated from the overall plan of the city. This includes main roads, railwys and metro lines. This drawing allows us to see the

areas of interconnectivity in the cityscape, as well as where neighbourhoods and districts are located. The site itself is bounded by considerable infrastructure and a clear pattern of build up around the area. The research conducted in MMP1 concluded that transport links in Manchester connect mainly to the periphery of the Castlefield site, and do not continue into or through the site, leaving it rather isolated. Overarching themes to urban connectivity or permeability are core to our broader urban strategies. By utilising existing infrastructural elements such as the tram and rail lines, and partucularly the underused river and canal routes that are easily accessed on site. There are many social issues involved in the use of transport in an urban setting. Ageism is still a concern. There are initiatives that councils could encourage to bolster awareness of the difficulties faced by elderly people on public transport, such as signage or designated seating close to the front of the vehicle. 93

Site Analysis_Brownfield Sites

Derelict, post-industrial land is a global phenomenon and is engrained in our cultural consciousness; the vast swathes of urban decay associated with the collapse of the automotive industry in Detroit during the late 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and the subsequent social problems thatgrew out of the ensuing chaos are well documented and forever immortalised by images of urban disorder.Though this example has a very particular context, the affects are universally acknowledged by post industrial societies. The experience of these sites in an urban context pertain to social unease, this perception is common and local governments usually target these areas for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;upgradingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Along the waterways of Manchester we find that there are many such sites. The common barriers to redevelopment include contamination due to industrial activity and most pertinent of all, the current economic climate. The potential benefit to the health of our cities by occupying or activating these sites are instinctively felt.By thinking creatively we have the ability to improve the experienceof our cites and create more age

friendly environments. Productive landscapes and improved housing with integrated modes of transportation are key to our thoughts about potential schemes for improving the site.

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Site Analysis_Nightscape

In terms of nightscape, one might consider the visual impact of the city’s physical features at night, artificially lit or not. The term also refers to the activities that people undertake during evening hours, creating a night scene or life. Manchester is most famous for the later. Manchester has a busy and vibrant nightlife comparable with the activity that takes place in the city during the day. The city is renowned for it’s energetic music scene, with an extensive list of bands and artists originating for the area, including The Stone Roses, The Verve, The Smiths, Joy Division; New Order, Happy Mondays, Elbow, David Gray and Simply Red.

of the rave/drug scene that became so infamous. Today the city is still a popular haunt for weekend party goers and hen and stag parties, with a nightlife second only to London. Manchester has one of the UK’s largest student populations at over 500 000 there is always something happening at night. Though the club scene is primarily geared towards students and the 18 to 30 bracket, the city also has a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment venues that are popular with people of all generations.

During the early 90’s, Manchester’s reputation as a nighttime destination was secured. The rise of house music and the hedonistic club scene that resulted. The organised crime and drug problems that rose to prominence at that time have not been fully remedied, but remains much improved for the height 95

Site Analysis_Socioeconomic Mapping

Manchester is known as one of the world’s great Industrial Cities and a leader in trade and commerce. It was the home of the industrial revolution and today is one of the UKs leading and most innovative cities. The population began to grow as Manchester offered more and more opportunities for people to move into the city from the surrounding countryside and also from Ireland, particularly during the Irish potato famine in the 1840s. Since the regeneration after the 1996 IRA bomb, and aided by the XVII Commonwealth Games, Manchester’s city centre has changed significantly. Large sections of the city dating from the 1960s have been either demolished and re-developed or modernised with the use of glass and steel. Many old mills and textile warehouses have been converted into apartments, helping to give the city a much more modern, upmarket look and feel.

regarded as the first true canal, which helped well-being. Moving forward with the MMP3 project economic considerations feature create the industrial revolution. heavily in the proposed design schemes. Today Manchester has earned a reputation for gang related crime and high poverty percentages. More than half of Greater Manchester households are at risk of slipping below the poverty line and “extreme poverty” is already a massive problem according to The Greater Manchester Poverty Commission, who says measures such as free public transport for unemployed people and business and public sector employers should adapt a living wage of £7. 45. Greater Manchester has also been named child poverty capital of Britain; where 27% are classed as living in severe poverty.

For the elderly generation who we are focusing on in Mood, Mobility and Place, poverty rates in Britain are amongst the highest in Europe. Pensioner poverty is Manchester and Salford are on a tentative list headed upwards, which is something that for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The needs to be dealt with. Low income for elderly proposal centres on the Bridgewater Canal, people often reflect in poor health and low

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Site Analysis_Canal Networks

has been put in to work and proposals such as the Bridgewater way is a clever scheme to get more users to the area of the Bridgewater canal, but keep the serenity.

showed us how important the canal is historically, physically and physiologically, and therefore will be a vital feature in all of our designs.

The Bridgewater Way is a scheme to rebuild the canal and make it more accessible to users, particular cyclist. It is to be a 40-mile development that will create a leisure route along the historical canal.The project is a fresh approach that will connect the communities with history. The program creates a new access point and a wide surface for new users, have focal points, public arts and heritage interpretations and programmes. It will also have a safer and a more appealing route that is to be used by all ages. Looking into the MMP1 group work a key theme that all participants seemed to feel strongly about was the water and the reflection it gives. The preferred action the participants from the focus group wanted to do by the sit was to sit and reflect, mentally restoration. The water produces a soothing environment that Plans to regenerate the area along the canal is universally enjoyed. The MMP1 research

We will all focus on creating an even better environment around the Bridgewater canal that will specially benefits the elderly generation by designing an environment suitable for stroke survivors and dementia sufferers by creating a safe environment with good pedestrian walkways, well lit spaces, enough resting places, respectable public toilets and a beautiful place for body and mind that will sooth all the senses.

The Bridgewater canal running to our site is considered to be the first â&#x20AC;&#x153;trueâ&#x20AC;? canal in England; it required the construction of an aqueduct to cross the River Irwell, one of the first of its kind.The canal it relied upon existing watercourses as sources of water rather than as navigable routes. Its success helped inspire a period of intense canal building in Britain. It later faced intense competition from the Liverpool and Manchester Railway and the Macclesfield Canal. Navigable throughout its history, it is one of the few canals in Britain not to have been nationalised, and remains privately owned. Manchester is today in a post-industrial phase compared to those days. The ship canal is still there but the docks have gone because the shipping now goes to huge container ports elsewhere. The Bridgwater canal has been rejuvenated and is now purely for leisure. Now the canal forms an integral of the Cheshire Ring network of canals where pleasure craft is located along the water.

From the initial interrogation of the PCT Research and through site analysis techniques illustrated previously as broad themes, we chose to focus attention on particular areas which tied into the MMP1 studio work. The next few pages present the interim drawings that were presented at the MMP2 review. Firstly, mapping the infrastructural nodes and associating this to permeability was carried out to assess access to the site. In addition to this the second drawing mapped routes through the site from key transport nodes and charted mobility issues which may

arise from these, in the form of symbols and photographs of barriers. Secondly, the theme of post-industrial permeability and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;leftoverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; space was articulated as a mapping drawing of the impermeability of many of the arches and brownfield sites against the layering of historical information to show areas of tension, intensity and gaps in the otherwise uniform urban fabric. The rationale behind each drawing is presented with a clear link to the MMP1 studio work and/ or the PCT based work in Manchester.

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Visually representing the research links between each studio unit in relation to the research on external sources.

Site Analysis_Transport Nodes In order to investigate the transport connections and associated permeability into the site a mapping drawing of the primary and secondary transport nodes was conducted in a 480m radius (a 10 minute walk for an elderly person). Secondly, some of the top desirable activities that the PCT Research elicited from the participants were mapped onto the site itself (this varied from places to sit down and admire views to bars/restaurants and places of cultural interest). These mental constructs were then linked to the various transport nodes which had been identified to highlight that an elderly person could be coming from any of these points and wish to reach a destination within the site. The routes themselves are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;as the crow fliesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as the mapping is representative of mental constructs rather than physical routes.

the Northern side of the site (towards the town centre). There is a strong density of potential visitors coming to the site from these points, despite the fact that the area is actually relatively impermeable from this direction. The Southern half of the site is much more open with more through routes, yet there is only a handful of transport connections to the wider city at this end.

The visual representation of the transport and mental construct density clearly shows the areas where potential activity could happen and also starkly represents the need for better transport into the area from the South and more considered access from the main nodes in the North. The second conclusion of the drawing, from the mapping of activity hubs, is that there are many places within the site that the PCT research The diagram clearly highlights the highlighted as being of particular interest proliferation of transport connections on and importance to an elderly person.

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Site Analysis_Mobility Routes The following drawings highlight the importance of the impact of elements of the environment on the quality of journeying for the elderly. Journeying is an important aspect of establishing a sense of place, as it affords us to form a deeper understanding through the composition of elements within an environment. The perceptible elements of an environment afford the readers the ability to orientate themselves, form a sense of attachment and build a profound memory. The research of the elderly participants often conveyed that elements of Castlefield created negative connotations about the area without any lasting embodiment of energies or memories.

routes have been highlighted by the research to often lead to poor perceived environments and could hinder, mobility within an environment and the level of attachment to that environment, questioning if it is the composition of perceptible elements that reflect an elderly persons to journey.

The following methodology was then applied to the selection of sites and programs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cook School, Memory Museum and Arts space.The mapping of these routes produced information that illustrated the possibility of creating an environment to encourage positive perception and mobility within a route which has been taken forward into an overall strategy of planning a memory route Overarching themes such as poor mobility, to encourage mobility through environmental maintenance and safety created cognitive and cues and elements of an environment that physical barriers to journeying, resulting in the afford reflection and journeying. exploration and investment of the Elderly in Castlefield to be lost. Simple journeys have been mapped to the destinations within Castlefield that were photographed by the participants, the elements that compose the

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Mapping routes through the site to key transport connections highlighting mobility issues encountered along the way. Larger scale plans are located in the Site Analysis book submitted as part of MMP2. 103

Site Analysis_Post-Industrial Permeability The historical legacy of Manchester as a hub of industrial activity has defined many aspects of the city ranging from architectural typology to the prevelance of gap sites and ‘left over’ space from bygone industries. The process behind the creation of this drawing came from two separate areas. The mapping of brownfield sites around the area was completed in the intial research themes and helped to inform the formation of this theme of post industrial legacy. The studies of ontological forces and grain also informed this drawing after highlighting these historical traces. Maps of the city over a 100 year historical period were overlayed in order to investigate and highlight the areas of particular historical intensity, as well as places which have been left largely untouched. The resultant drawing clearly shows the bounding districts of the site as substantially changing over time, whereas the actual Castlefield site is largely untouched- a microcosm within the wider patterns of changing streets and housing

styles. This perhaps alludes to the reason many of the PCT Questionnaires returned ‘tranquility’ and ‘secrecy’ as key themes within the mental constructs of people visiting the area. The second ‘layer’ of information in the drawing is the mapping of permeability and post-industrial leftover space. The images taken around the site show blocked up archways and underpasses which have been

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Final research drawings - mapping connections

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In order to organise the different research outputs, each drawing was mapped against the initial research themes to visualise the interconnections and links between the different types of research. This was documented in a series of photographs highlighting the importance of each piece of research in relation to the final site analysis themes which were exhibited at the Winter examination diet.

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Final Site Analysis Themes

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Site Analysis_Wayfinding + Spatial Orientation The theme Legibility: Spatial Orientation and Wayfinding derived from our MMP1 research where the participants stated that they felt Manchester was an illegible city difficult to orientate themselves in. Legibility is the degree to which the design of the environment aid people in creating an effective mental image, or a cognitive map of the spatial relationships within the environment, and the subsequent ease of wayfinding within the atmosphere. A legible city has clear, easy-to-recognise features, which are easy to organise, easy to make into patterns, and are hence easier to recollect. This diagram explores the legibility of Manchester and the Castlefiled site trough an analysis of landmarks and anchor buildings, constellations, transport systems and

permeability. Considering the Kevin Lynch principles of wayfinding in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Image of the Cityâ&#x20AC;? we have concluded as the MMP 1 participant that the Castlefiled site has the opportunity to thrive into a legible place where wayfinding could improve the ease with which people can navigate themselves to, from and within the place. Taking this onward to our MMP3 project we are wanting to design legible, well-designed spaces that includes new environmental interventions and celebrates the memory of past experiences, which will give a strong sense of orientation in the Castlefield site to the wider urban environment which will confidently create a better quality of life for people living with dementia and stroke survivors.

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The drawing was created by overlaying the various transport networks within Manchester and Salford. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;baseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; layer is the map of the area under investigation with rail and road networks exploded from this in order to identify patterns of movement and energy within the city. Key landmark buildings have also been identified and exploded from the drawing.

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Site Analysis_From City to Sea The canal became a key focus for the MMP2 project as it embodies parts of the other themes. The industrial legacy of Manchester is almost entirely based around and on the canals which served the city - and therefore much of the cultural memory which makes up the mental image of Manchester is related to the waterways. In order to explore the relationship the city has with the wider waterway network and ultimately the Irish Sea a drawing mapping these connections was produced. In addition to practical bathymetric data, large settlement mapping and distances, the produced drawing also alludes to the phenomenological qualities of the canal. The connection that the city has with the sea and the estuarine environment is particularly significant in unravelling some of the forces of the place. There are connotations of energy and flow brought into the city from the wider environment as well as a feeling of connection to the sea and the wider world. These forces are important in any design considerations. 111

Site Analysis_Mapping Intensity In order to investigate the intensity around the site six historical maps were overlaid onto the existing plan. Areas of intensity (i.e. considerable developments and road changes) are either overlaid with a high density of lines or cut out from the drawing. Conversely, some areas which have stayed the same over a long period of time were also cut out- most notably the canal. Therefore the drawing physically represents both permanent and temporary architectural aspects of the place. The method of representation was specifically chosen in order to convey this dichotomy. In many of the PCT research responses and interviews the theme of tranquility came up as being something which struck participants about the site. Many remarked how the area was a “forgotten gem” or had secretive aspects. The drawing revealed that the site itself was largely untouched around an intense gird of constant change and development, which would seem to show that at the physical urban level the perceptions of the

participants were accurate. The patterns of development around the area- moving from factories/industrial architecture to tenements and finally contemporary construction are effectively omitted from much of the site, again hinting towards this ‘special’ quality within the place. Furthermore, the areas of high intensity clearly outline historical nodes within the development of Manchester- areas of importance and cultural significance at the urban and local levels are clearly highlighted. The conclusions reached from the drawing include that the spatial organisation around the site has changed considerably over time, whereas the site has remained as an island within this development and has been relatively untouched- the design implications for this are that an intervention could either encourage people into the site or, conversely, retain the secretive nature of the place. Secondly, the drawing represents the historical importance of the canal to the Castlefield area and the connections with the wider urban context.

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Site Analysis_Urban Grain A ‘good’ physical environment is one that offers positive sensorial variety and stimulus. An environment that has clear visual legibility and facilitates safe navigation is something that is crucial in a city setting. Environments that are well lit, during the day or at evening, that are active and that have a clearly defined purpose are things that are generally held ‘commonsense notions’, inherent and engrained in planning and design. We interact with the urban realm on a physical and mental level. We are in constant contact with the surfaces and materials that make-up those environments, particularly by touch and movement. As designers we have to be aware of material properties, the appropriateness of the choice and at the same time the phenomenological properties possessed by that material(s). An environment is experienced in all lights and all weathers, and can profoundly effect the way we move in or inhabit a space. In the course of a single day we move from

dark to light and dark again, that change is expressed by the path of the sun and the way light effects the experience of our world; from the street to a room. For an older person making a short journey can prove difficult, particularly when the weather is bad, and especially during the autumn and winter months, when factors like frost and fallen leaves are hazardous. Research conducted in MMP1 showed that older people generally had more affection for historic environments than new, this is related to memory. When one looks in more detail at historic environments we find that these are the ones that are usually least ‘age friendly’. Historic paving sets and uneven surfaces are very common, often making walking difficult, particularly when an aide is utilised.

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Site Analysis_Elements of Journeying Journeying is an important aspect of establishing a sense of place, as it affords us to form a deeper understanding through the composition of elements within an environment. The perceptible elements of an environment afford the readers the ability to orientate themselves, form a sense of attachment and build a profound memory. The research of the elderly participants often conveyed that elements of Castlefield created negative connotations about the area without any lasting embodiment of energies or memories. Overarching themes such as poor mobility, maintenance and safety created cognitive and physical barriers to journeying, resulting in the exploration and investment of the Elderly in Castlefield to be lost. The following drawings elucidate the negatively perceived elements and areas of opportunity in the environment to afford opportunities to the Elderly for the better investment of Journeying within Castlefield.

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Key journeys from transport hubs to the various sites along the canal are mapped on this drawing with the mobility issues encountered along each route highlighted. This allowed a deeper understanding of how older people would journey to the sites. 117

Site Analysis_Serial Vision an individual level. Memory of course is something that is central to our research in relation to older people and specifically those living with dementia. In each of our designs we are considering how the idea of memory We have deliberately avoided the use of and place can be reinforced by architecture. quantifying or analytical techniques like mapping or orientation techniques, which have been employed in other areas of our research and focuses mainly on the very different atmospheres that are present in Castlefield. It explores the site in short jilts of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;serial visionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; where one leads into the next to create a sense of the place which is more akin to our memory rather than one experienced in reality. Where surfaces and spaces in a locality are normally understood sequentially, the film is an abstraction, a recollection. Expressive of a particular time (s), that is captured and transformed in the footage. This short piece of film seeks to express a sense of place as experienced by ourselves. By creating a series of short moments that conveys the essence of the place.

In many ways it seeks to represent how memory is intimately linked to perception, and how that perception is unique on

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Stills from the video 119

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Chapter IV: Research Connections & Hypotheses

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hypothesis noun (pl.hypotheses) a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation: his ‘steady state’ hypothesis of the origin of the universe. • Philosophy a proposition made as a basis for reasoning, without any assumption of its truth. [ with clause ] : the hypothesis that every event has a cause.

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Design Hypotheses [DESIGN WORK]

Following the collation of the various research studies, including group site analysis and the creation of individual manifestos, a series of hypotheses were developed to test in the design process. Each of the hypotheses directly draws on the primary research carried out with older participants as well as the analysis of the site and the city by the group. The flow diagram in this chapter highlights how each hypothesis was developed in order to create an urban strategy for the Castlefield site. Each individual design â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;plugs intoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the urban strategy illustrated in this chapter, as well as addressing the hypotheses set out. In each case a series of affordance studies relates to the hypothesis for at least one of the three cohorts (healthy living, stroke survivors, people living with dementia). The design of the urban strategy and the associated architectural interventions is intended as a test of the hypotheses, determining key factors in the design of spaces (at all scales) for older people in the Age Friendly City. Methodology: diagrammatic work, essays, drawings, models, presentation [design work]

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Co-Created Environments

Articles

Manchester Manchester Focus PCT Group

Edinburgh Healthy Living

Edinburgh Dementia

Edinburgh Stroke

Age Friendly Manchester Development plan

Global Brief for World Health Day

Manchester Manchester Focus PCT Group

Edinburgh Healthy Living

Edinburgh Dementia

Edinburgh Stroke

Age Friendly Manchester Development plan

Global Brief for World Health Day

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Creating an Age Friendly Yorkâ&#x20AC;?

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Site Analysis

Spatial The Journeying through Orientation Elements of & Way journeying the urban finding grain

Serial Vision

Spatial The Journeying through Orientation Elements of & Way journeying the urban finding grain

Serial Vision

Mapping Intensity

City to Sea

1:500

Neighbourhood Model

1:5000 City Model

Hypotheses

Hypothesis 1 Age friendly social spaces afford older people integration into a multi-generational community.

Mapping Intensity

City to Sea

1:500

Neighbourhood Model

1:5000 City Model

Hypothesis 2 Access to cultural memories and the history of place affords older people the ability to root themselves in the urban fabric.

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Co-Creative Environments

Manchester Manchester Focus PCT Group

Edinburgh Healthy Living

Manchester Manchester Edinburgh Focus PCT Healthy Group Living

Articles

Edinburgh Edinburgh Stroke Dementia

Age Friendly Manchester Development plan

Global Brief for World Health Day

Edinburgh Dementia

Age Friendly Manchester Development plan

Global Brief for World Health Day

Edinburgh Stroke

What makes a city age friendly?

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Site Analysis

The Spatial Journeying through Orientation Elements of Journeying & Way the urban finding grain

Serial Vision

Spatial The Journeying through Orientation Elements of & Way jounrneying the urban finding grain

Serial Vision

Mapping Intensity

City to Sea

1:500

Neighbourhood Model

1:5000 City Model

Hypotheses

Hypothesis 3 An inclusive design approach to journeying affords older people independent mobility.

Mapping Intensity

City to Sea

1:500

Neighbourhood Model

1:5000 City Model

Hypothesis 4 Accessible transport hubs afford and maintain older peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s connection to the city.

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Hypothesis 1 Age friendly social spaces afford older people integration into a multi generational community.‘The ‘buzz’ of Manchester is appealing’ (Manchester PCT research) Participants enjoyed feeling part of a city and interacting with younger people, there was no suggestion that older people desired to only be around people their own age. In fact quite the opposite was true. Things that were most appealing about Manchester were the array of ‘communal and inclusive places’ and ‘the ‘mix’ of people that events and activities in the city attract’ (Manchester PCT research) Places to congregate and to interact with other people help to alleviate some of the feeling of loneliness experienced by older people. Older people often feel isolated from what is going on in the city and from other generations. By having facilities that foster cross-generational contact communities will be enriched. Providing places that ‘Recognition of the importance of community centres’ (What makes a city age-friendly? 2007) The research finds that engagement in social activities is absolutely vital for older people’s wellbeing, and community centres emerge as the single most important factor for enabling this. Community centres in the area provide an excellent range of social activities, as well as access to health and other services. According to the Edinburgh based ‘Healthy living research’ participants preferred to live in, or like living in, places where they know their neighbours, can chat to their neighbours. Empty places that lack people were disliked one of the favoured aspects was the presence of people and the interaction occurring between these people. The Edinburgh based research conducted with Stoke participants suggested there were concerns about becoming socially isolated as you get older and a view that certain environments might exacerbate this. The Dementia focus group conducted in Edinburgh said

Hypothesis 2 An inclusive design approach to journeying affords older people independent mobility.Research conducted by the World Health organisation and investigated in London and other participating cities highlighted many of the key concerns related to ageing something mentioned in the Dementia focus group as something that was considered to important particularly as we get older. ‘Fear of crime’ - This is widespread among older people and has a significant impact on many people’s lives. As a result, most older people in the groups re less likely to go out and stay active. Designing active urban space that can be self-policed as well as having an a more visible police presence by local constabulary on the street as well as providing adequately lighting on an urban level go some way to alleviating some of these fears. ‘Active and populated places’ was highlighted by participants who felt ‘vulnerable’ or ‘wary’ in empty environments and they were considered ‘threatening’ places. Streets that have pavements need to have a way of separating pedestrians from the traffic was a point raised in the Edinburgh based Dementia focus group; having pavements that separate pedestrians from cyclists and vehicles is greatly preferred.

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Hypothesis 3 Accessible transport hubs afford older people to connect with the city. Having a reliable and well organised public transport network is key for the success of any city. This is a fundamental infrastructural element and this document touches on it’s importance and relevance for older people living in a city. It affords older people the same access as everyone else and contributes to continued independence. As outlined in the World Health Organisation’s document, ‘Global brief for World Health Day 2012’ Some of key findings that relate to a successful transport system include; ‘Involving older people in the design of services which affect them and in local decision-making’, ‘Affordable and well-run public transport’, ‘Accessible transport for those with mobility problems e.g. dial-a-ride schemes or door-to-door community bus services’. All of these points were subsequently mentioned in the focus groups undertaken in Manchester and Edinburgh. Good public transport is considered to be key to having an age-friendly environment because it enables older people to get out and socialise, and to access vital services. The attributes of age-friendly public transport that were mentioned are that it is free for over-60s (or very affordable, so that expense does not prevent people from using it); it is accessible for wheelchairs; buses are regular, reliable and well run; and there is a good diala-ride scheme (an affordable door-to-door taxi service for disabled people) for those with more restricted mobility who cannot access buses. (What makes a city age-friendly?)

Hypothesis 4 Access to cultural memories and the history of place affords older people to root themselves in the urban fabric. To understand the site in detail various methods of research were undertaken; surveying and recording existing typologies, buildings and structures helped construct a picture of a vibrant historical area within the wider context of Manchester’s urban growth.These investigations in conjunction with the PCT research undertaken on site lead to investigative drawings that elucidated some of the specific findings. ‘A good place to live is a pre-requisite of a dementia friendly community’ The study does not fully define ‘a good place to live’ but suggests that the quality of cultural and physical activities in York as being an important factor; access to museums and galleries as well as sporting activities help to support someone living with dementia. Key supporting findings in the document which allude to ‘a good place to live’ are as follows; ‘a community that does not put obstacles in the way or make more difficult the attempts of people with dementia to maintain their usual activities and normal networks.’ ‘The Historic Resonance of York was found to be a positive factor for people living with dementia.’ We can assume from some of the primary research we have undertaken that this is due to the fact that ‘memory’ – the creation of new memories as well as remembering is an important consideration for people living with Dementia. So an environment that has changed little over time could be described as being beneficial for someone living with dementia.

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Bibliography & Further Reading

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MMP1 Bibliography: Bachelard, G. (1958), The Poetics of Space, Presses Universitaires de France. Casey, E. (1998), The Fate of Place, University of California. Marshall, M (1998), Therapeutic Buildings For People With Dementia, Hawker Publications. Philips, LR., Van Ort, S. (1993), Measurement of Mealtime Interactions among Persons with Dementing Disorders, Journal of Nursing Measurement, p41-55. Rysenbery, N., Timlin, G. (2011), Design for Dementia, Helen Hamlyn Centre: Royal College of Art. Schittich, C. (Ed.) (2007), Housing for People of All Ages, inDetail, Birkhauser. Watts, J. (2013) The Impact of Family Style Dining in Care Homes, UK Journal of Dementia Care, Vol 21: p.32-25. Alzheimers UK (2007), Report on Dementia . Accesible at: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=2. Retrieved Oct 2013. Alzheimers UK, (2013) Dementia Infographics. Accessible at: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/infographic. Retrieved Oct 2013. Crampton, J. (2012) Creating A Dementia Friendly York, Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Accessible at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/ dementia-communities-york-full.pdf. Retrieved Oct 2013. Hare, P. (2013) Dementia and Loneliness, Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Accessible at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/blog/2013/09/we-can-all-dosomething-break-link-between-dementia-and-loneliness, Retrieved Oct 2013. Sharpe, S. (2007), Home From Home, Alzheimers UK. Accessible at: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=270, Retrieved Oct 2013.

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MMP2 Bibliography: JRF (2013). Manchester Poverty Figures (online) http://data.jrf.org.uk/search/?q=poverty, Accessed October 2013. MCC (2013). General Background Information (online) http://www.manchester.gov.uk, Accessed November 2013. Cullen, G. (1961) ‘The Concise Townscape.’ London: Architectural Press. Tuan, Y.F. (1974) ‘Topophilia: A Study of Environmental Perception, Attitudes & Values’. Prentice-Hall: New York. Lynch, K. (1960). The Image of the City, JCUS (MIT) Norberg-Schulz, C. (1980). Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture, NYC: Rizzoli Intl. Pub. Sinclair, F. (1984) 150 Years of Architecture. Edinburgh, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Pallasmaa, J. (2005). The Eyes of the Skin, London: Wiley-Academy. MMP Work Party One- PCT Research Analysis Document (October 2013)

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Hypotheses References: Creating a Dementia-friendly York - http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/dementia-communities-york-full.pdf What makes a city age-friendly? - http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/sshm/geront/research/agefriendlycities.pdf World Health Organisation - Global brief for World Health Day 2012 http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2012/WHO_DCO_ WHD_2012.2_eng.pdf?ua=1

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Appendices A-C Appendix A: Manchester - original research documents Appendix B: Edinburgh- original research documents Appendix C:

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Manchester Research

Design Report_ Volume 1 FOCUS GROUP TRANSCRIPTION Mark asks about riding bicycles… Maureen – Not round Dudley Road where we live would you ride a bicycle Mark – needs more cycle lanes -‐-‐17:00 Mark – It’s too hilly Maureen – No, not bumps. Quite a few of the roads round Whalley are not good for cycling Paul – Yeah in Whalley Range they are quite dangerous Iain -‐ I wanted to ask about signage and some signage you feel is maybe not so age friendly. How well do you feel that the city is mapped in terms of the systems of transport and understanding them and their relationship to one another? Is that quite age friendly or is it difficult to understand? Barbara -‐ Its ok Iain – Quite legible then… Jos -‐ The signs are ok if you can see. All – Yes Jos – I think blind people and partially sighted people struggle a bit and there’s a shortfall of brail or other alternative means to help them really. Iain – Right, but you find, for instance, if you’re using the Metro you find that the system of mapping is really quite clear and legible, it’s quite well done. Jos – On the new stations it’s not too bad they’ve picked up the signage and particular communication, but it’s still not brilliant. Iain – Ok Shop Mobility Woman – Metrolink do have a design reference group as well that help with the access – I think Joan’s on that. Jos – Ah yes I’ll not say anything about them. Iain – Is there one system of transport that you would say is more enjoyable than another system of transport? I get the sense you all quite like the Metro? Jos – The trams are relatively clean and quick

FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS

Chris – And it’s fast Iain – Right Jos – And I think within the city it’s quite well serviced with in the total area and the different areas, it goes out to Didsbury where I live and it’s quite a good link. Amy – The buses are okay as well, it’s not as Pauline’s saying you know “you have to wait for the 53” or “you have to go over the other side of Manchester”. Jos – It’s a good bus route in from Didsbury to Manchester. It’s the student route, it’s quite intense the bus. Amy – Yeah, because of the students at the university so Mark – How much are the trams subsidized do you know? Paul (council dude) – If you’re of pensionable age it’s free of charge. Shop Mobility Woman – The buses and the trams are free Iain – So the whole public transport system is free Mark – I was just wondering in terms of systems, obviously economics are very important, does it pay for itself now that it’s up and running? Paul – I think Stuart could answer that question. Iain – Can I ask again in relation to transport, we’ve just one more question, we’d like to understand a little bit more about your bodily engagement with these systems. You know getting on and off the buses, is that difficult? Are there any stations that are accessible? Are there any, for instance, things that you would praise? The trams seem really easy to get on and off, the stations are well designed, they’re not steep and so on. Is there anything about your physical engagement with transport systems that you would have an issue with? Amy – I think some buses can lower their floors, but not all buses it would be good if they could all have that feature Paul – I think it’s about 80/90% now that have that facility. Maureen – A couple of years ago it actually took me two buses to get on with my mum in a wheelchair, but last time I went on a bus nearly everyone seemed to be lowering. Shop Mobility Woman – The buses in London and much better buses than the ones in Manchester. They’re sort of double-‐decker and there obviously is the standard entrance and then there is the exit in the centre but if you’ve got a mobility impairment or have a wheelchair or scooter you press the button and

OPEN ENDED PCT QUESTIONNAIRE

Question

1. How easy do you find getting around the city? What is difficult about it? 2. Is there anything you would like to do in the City which you can't? 3. How do you feel about crime in the Manchester area, do you feel safe in the city? If not, why? 4. Do you find the city welcoming to older people? If not, why not? 5. How do you feel the City of Manchester has changed in your lifetime? What would you like to change? 6. What does Manchester mean for you? What is the most meaningful place for you? 7. Do you have any personal memories of the Bridgewater Canal? Could you describe one? 8. What things do you like to do when you come into town?

Question 1.

29: I think thats a lot to do with cars. When everyone started having cars they travelled to do shopping, they travelled to work. Years ago local areas had all the local shops you needed and you could just walk to them and it was safer, safer to walk, and the communities were safer because things were kept within the community.

18: I think there is definitely. There are always problems but what we try to do is to rise above it and try and be an inclusive town.

18: Local corner shops

15: Any other key words that you would use to describe your city?

23: The media’s had a lot to do with it as well. Everything in the media is shown to you and when we were younger it took three or four days for news to reach you.

25: Manchester is a bit cocky actually. It fancies itself a bit, which it does. There is a Mancunian identity and I understand, but I have lived in other cities, there is a swagger about Manchester. It is a migrant and inclusive city and thats why I enjoy it. People might disagree with me I don’t know.

21: Sometimes Central Manchester is being shown by the media as a terrible place and there is lots of crime and shooting and all that which isn't really fair on the communities because everyone is working so hard to improve.

15: There is certainly a perception of that in the UK and beyond of that, its a sort of cultural thing.

29: There is definitely a North/South divide in Manchester. That’s been there ever since I was a kid, always has been. I think a lot of that is to do with the student migration because the students are all on the south side of Manchester and based there and a lot of them stay when they become a student because they like Manchester and theres employment there. Then they just make a bit of money and move out to Chorlten and to Didsbury and theres that migration whereas you don’t get that on the north side of Manchester.

18: And Manchester have carried out a lot of innovative things, you know we are leaders. That’s the cockiness coming out! 25: Can I say a very quick story, The Chief Exective of Manchester and the Chief Executive of Liverpool were being interviewed about the great cities in the UK and they asked what the second best city in the UK, and the Chief Executive of Liverpool said Liverpool whereas the Chief Executive of Manchester said London.

15: So is that an economic effect you think? The south is more affluent is it?

18: Really! Traitor

29: Yes

25: No he meant second after Manchester

18: Can I just point out that North Manchester has always been a bit sort of poor and all that but its building up at the moment thanks to RSVP Retired and Senior Voluntary Programme which is part of the Valuing Older People. We have got workers that are concentrating on that area and trying to bring a lot of the population together, sort of looking at, if you are retired and you have got certain skills how you can probably share those skills and supporting and so you know theres been quite a lot of progress made in that area.

18: Oh i see of course. 29: Its friendly compared to London isnt it? 15: So the city has a powerful cultural identity then you would say? What about how the city has changed over the time that you have known it in your lifetime or however long you have lived here? How would you say the city has changed? Key words or something or just maybe one word if you think might identify the feeling about it.

21: But also the governments social policy. Paul already knows of the cut backs. They are cutting so much money from the council’s budget so even though we are trying our best with Valuing Older People there is still so much that needs done and you need more money. And so its the social policy that is there is not great.

18: I can see changes going back when I was younger. I can remember my mum used to be able to leave the front door open you know and people would just pop in and all that and communication is done over the garden fence or whatever, but I think thats been a big change. Its all because of the safety

16: The quality of the new builidngs is quite important. In terms of the

Manchester

Other thoughts on the focus groups

Evaluating the research methods and techniques

FOCUS GROUPS

Did the participants appear comfortable taking the 15 images and then discussing them? Did the participants appear upset, anxious, distressed or confused

Did the walk-round itself produce ‘useful’ information?

8. Did the focus groups produce ‘useful’ information?

Do you feel that an alternative method to the questionnaire would have worked better? If so, why? What alternative method would you suggest and why?

Did the participants understand and engage with the issues being discussed, did the focus groups produce information that you can readily use in your design work (what type of info. did they produce)

Other thoughts on the walk-round itself and the 15 images exercise

OPEN-ENDED PICTURE BASED QUESTIONNAIRE Did the participants appear comfortable with the open ended picture based questionnaire? Did the participants appear upset, anxious, distressed or confused

Did the 15 images exercise produce ‘useful’ information? (the images themselves and the discussion of these images) Did the participants understand and engage with the exercise, could they explain why they had taken the photos, did the exercise produce information that you can readily use in your design work (what type of info. did it produce)

Did the questionnaire produce ‘useful’ information? Did the participants understand and engage with the questions, did the exercise produce information that you can readily use in your design work (what type of info. did it produce)

10. Other thoughts on the open-ended PCT based questionnaire

Do you feel that an alternative method to the walk-round would have worked better? If so, why? What alternative method would you suggest and why?

Do you feel that an alternative method to the questionnaire would have worked better? If so, why? What alternative method would you suggest and why?

DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS

Image 12 6 Image

Mobility, Mood and Place Background and Demographic Questions

Participant ID number:

Please highlight the 3 favourite images in the left hand box with a tick. √

The following questions are intended to explore a little bit about you and your background. While we ask for your name here, it will not be used in the write up of our research findings.

CONSENT FORM

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Title of Project: Mobility, Mood and Place Name of Researchers: Professor Catharine Ward Thompson, Iain Scott and Dr. Katherine Brookfield Please initial all boxes

Image 1

1. I confirm that I have read and understand the information sheet dated 15 August 2013 for the above study. I have had the opportunity to consider the information, ask questions and have had these answered satisfactorily.

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Image 15

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reason, without my medical care or legal rights being affected.

4. I understand that my name and address will not be publicised or used in any reports of the project

5. I agree to take part in the above study. Name of Participant Date Signature

Student Name……………………………………………………………………………………………. Participant……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Question

Name of Person Date Signature taking consent.

Answer

1. What is your name? 2. How would you describe your gender?

2. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time without giving any

3. I understand that interviews and discussions may be recorded as part of the research using audio and/or video or photography.

Image 2

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Did the participants discuss the route, the places they passed through etc., did the walk-round produce information that you can readily use in your design work (what type of info. did it produce)

Did the participants understand and engage with the questions, did the exercise produce information that you can readily use in your design work (what type of info. did it produce)

Were some participants quiet, did some dominate discussion, did a conversation readily emerge between the participants / the participants and students etc.

15 Images

Image 4

Do you feel that an alternative method to the 15 images exercise would have worked better? If so, why? What alternative method would you suggest and why?

CONSENT FORM

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WALK-ROUND AND THE 15 IMAGES EXERCISE

Did the participants appear comfortable with the open ended PCT based questionnaire?

Did the questionnaire produce ‘useful’ information?

Did group interaction and discussion occur?

15 IMAGES

Image 3

A: ..there are some in the process. I’ve not been as engaged as my colleges and that, because it’s in the city centre obviously. Not having the fact that our libraries have a lot more expense on them, and it’s about to reopen next year. Another thing happened, I think before I was elected, was closure. Quite a few public toilets, I think it’s only ones in the city centre, but I think that has an impact, especially for older people. And another thing the council’s done is try and link with shops and so on, advertise that can use their facilities, but I think that is a issue with older people. K: Can’t understand why they closed, you know the one that used to be in Piccadilly garden, underground, why they closed that? A: It’s been closed for years, isn’t it? I think some of it is an issue of behaviour of people, and unless you staff them…… this jumping behaviour is a massive problem in public toilets. M: Can I ask you a question? What is interesting when you’re saying, about older people coming back into the city, what would be your ideal place, would you love an apartment in the centre of the city with a balcony, say you can get out of site, or a suburban house with a garden and a place to park your car outside? What would be your.. K: House with a garden. C: I’d rather move closer to the city. Quite fancy this plot that we’ve.. M: What about your selves there? G: It’s a lot of … deals on apartments, although we got a house with a garden. D: But we did consider, at the time we were thinking of moving back to the city, and if we have not been put off by the bloke saying there are so many empty apartments and shopping.. then we might have done it. So if there were blocks that were fully occupied all the time and better shops..

OPEN-ENDED ‘PERSONAL CONSTRUCT THEORY’ BASED QUESTIONNAIRE

Iain Scott September 2013

Image 8

29: Some of the markets have been replaced with trendy markets.

Did the participants appear upset, anxious, distressed or confused

Do you feel that an alternative method to focus groups would have worked better? If so, why? What alternative method would you suggest and why?

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21: There used to be a place where they had seats for older people didn’t they but its all gone now where people used to meet for coffee. Its a shame.

Did the participants appear upset, anxious, distressed or confused

6. Other observations: 1st observation 2nd observation More observations

Image 6

29: I get a lot of people that have not been to Manchester for years because of they have been isolated. After the bomb, the whole city was redesigned effectively. People have said they dont recognise the city anymore, its not the same place and its very commercially led and its very young. The facilities are there for young people, the shops in the city are all for young people and so they feel quite removed from the area. They don’t have the same familiarities they had before and a lot of people have said that.

Did the participants appear upset, anxious, distressed or confused, was mobility an issue for individuals

Within the course of the M.Arch studio, you will be employing a range of methods and techniques where the research participants are older adults. Gathering information on your experiences and perceptions of these techniques will be useful for the MMP project. To this end, please could you answer the following questions. They explore your views on the various methods and techniques you have employed in your fieldwork in Manchester.

Did the participants appear comfortable in the focus group setting?

5. How could it be better? 1st improvement 2nd improvement More improvements

Reasons given by participants for 15 photographs taken at the Site of the Bridgewater canal at Castle Street, Manchester.

21: I think some of the older buildings should be reused.

Did the participants appear comfortable during the walk-round?

Within the Mobility, Mood and Place (MMP) research project, of which the MMP M.Arch studio is a part, there is an interest in exploring and developing co-design techniques that can be used with older adults.

4. What would you like to do here that wouldn’t be possible? 1st thing 2nd thing 3rd thing

M: It’s interesting because we talk here about mobility and one of the issues if you’re living further out then it’s actually ..local transport that take you to travel something, and that’s the problem. But of course if you’re living in the centre and you’re interested in the bars and activities that seems… A: I was 50, no 55 when I moved into the city centre, and I was a bit unsure about it… M: I love that concept… A: Absolutely the right choice for me. D: Well where we live now, it’s not very far out, but it’s still got things like butcher, fish monger, bakery.. none of that’s intact… A: no, no. M: none of that is further out? G: ..depends which way you go isn’t it. M: You get your local super markets now… A: They are very limited, very limited and they charge more than out of town ones. M: Seems to be the growth, it’s the growth, a lot more of these small… A: but it’s the quality of what they stock and the range of what they stock. K: … a lot of people have been coming in to Manchester to live, but we were told recently that Manchester has got the highest death rate in the UK. Now I don’t know if that’s true or not, now what is causing that? The life expectancy is lower than it used to be, so I don’t know is it the air, has that been polluted? What do you think that’s causing that? M: That’s very surprising to be lower than… K: … because Glasgow used to be in the UK, and now it’s Manchester. G: It’s not just that. Is it the 4th poorest in the country? The city centre is a bit … in some ways. A: I’m sorry I’ve been looking into this yesterday. For various reasons Manchester is the 4th poorest, taking into account the whole city of Manchester. And the life expectancy is roughly 4 years shorter for man and women than the average. And that’s obviously because life expectancy is so closely linked with socio-‐economic factors. The reason I was looking at it is because I also work as a part time tour guide. I see a lot of people outside of Manchester just to visit and abroad, and they are astounded at what it’s like now, but of course that’s just the city centre. M: So it’s on the up, in terms of welcoming city. It is struggling with the financial cuts… A: it is. Speaking as a part of the council… We believe that we’ve had really disproportionate and huge cuts. One of the things we’ve been saying is that if we had cuts on the same level as the average cuts in the UK, we would have a million pounds a week to spend. B: Why do you think it’s disproportionate? K: Because when money comes from central government Tories will not give it to us. A: Some people would say it’s political reasons other would say we’ve spent disproportionately.

15: Do you all share that feeling about modern buildings may not being as enjoyable as older buildings?

MOBILITY, MOOD AND PLACE

Answer

3. What would you enjoy doing when you are here? 1st activity 2nd activity More activities

infrastructure, St. Peter’s Square as an example of whats going on at the moment. Its very commercially led and I think that reflects the total quality of the buildings around the city. I mean there are quite nice buildings, Beatham Tower is beautifully detailed but in its concept and context I can't buy that really but there you go.

STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM

2. What do you not like about this place? Why? 1st Reason 2nd Reason More reasons

15: I suppose in times past people would have been more routed in a particular place, you know, transport wasn’t what it is today, you know, even if you came from Manchester you lived and worked in a place. There is less identity and that is not specific to Manchester, I think that just exists everywhere.

15: But it is a very culturally and ethnically diverse place isnt it? How do you feel about it ethnically, is ethnic diversity viewed as a positive thing by the residents? Are there issues with ethnicity and so on?

Supplementary Questions

1. What do you like about this place? Why? 1st Reason 2nd Reason More reasons

Answer

element, you are scared of being robbed. I think thats one of the things thats quite prevalent. People are scared of going out as older people late at night because of things like that so that is an element.

bus coming back from picking up my granddaughter in Stratford and there were two mothers with prams and able-‐bodied people just sat there and wouldn’t move it was sick. One mother had a young one and one in the pram and one standing on the all stood until they got off. -‐-‐26:26

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS

Open ended PCT based questionnaire: Bridgewater Canal Manchester. 26th September 2013.

Focus Group Questions

with that is that you mentioned … there is a very difficult link from … to the station, as it’s on the wrong side of the road to me an all. Paul – Absolutely Iain -‐ It’s very difficult to know where you going to come out, you don’t really know where you are. There is not the sense of arriving into a space like Deansgate station, there is the stair to that platform, this one’s on the street and then there’s the lift and so on. It feels like it could do with a bit of work to pull it all together Agreement Jos – The communication really needs to impress the blind the deaf and the wheelchair users, it tends to bias itself a little bit towards the younger generation and not the older. Just going back to the point about the wheelchair user getting onto buses, there’s a lot of reluctance by a lot of drivers to assist taking them on, or they’ll even drive by. Shop Mobility Woman – Terrible Agreement Jos – And I think that needs addressing from the management side of things, but that is a severe criticism that I here, and I’ve seen it on occasions Iain – Why does that happen? Do you think it’s just ‘cos it’s too much trouble? Shop Mobility Woman – Yeah Jos – It is trouble yeah, and sometimes not patient if the wheelchair is taking a long time for no particular reason Shop Mobility Woman – Same with taxi drivers too, I often travel with someone who is in a wheelchair and I have to kind of step aside to hail a taxi down because if they see a wheelchair they won’t stop because the can’t be bothered, it’s really common practice. Jos -‐ And then they’re waiting another half an hour for another bus in the rain, it’s a difficult one that Shop Mobility Woman – And often the spaces are full (on buses) so they won’t let someone on, I know one woman that had to wait five buses before she could get into Manchester as a wheelchair user Amy – I think overcrowding on the buses is a problem, especially in term time they’re all right at the front and if it was to break suddenly they’d be all going through the glass. So that is something that maybe the bus companies need to focus on and also disabled seats are taken up by able-‐bodied people. I was on the

an automatic ramp comes out and you go straight into that space. So then you’re not conflicting or fighting for space with anybody else. It’s such a massively improved design. Paul – They do regulate the buses in London as well Shop Mobility Woman – Exactly, and I think that’s the issue really, getting standards that are similar to London because they have a far superior system. Pauline – I also think one of the good things about buses in London is it’s vocalized, there is a voice comes on to tell you your next stop will be Kensal Green or whatever and I’m thinking that’s fantastic because if you’ve got hearing problems, or even if you haven’t got hearing problems you could be sort of a bit lax and you hear this voice so I think it’s really great that. Iain -‐ Are there any stations that are good or bad in the way in which they allow you to move through them and engage with them? Your closest one is obviously the Deansgate station, how age friendly is that station? Chris – Don’t use it Amy – Think it’s alright, its accessible Pauline – It’s not very good Jos – The one near Primark… Mark – What’s it like? Pauline -‐ Piccadilly Paul – There’s a lift and a bridge you go down Iain – It’s difficult to understand where you have to go Agreement Paul– Absolutely, there’s I kind of secret staircase at one end that a lot of people use. I think there is one Metrolink station that doesn’t have a lift, that you can’t get up to I’m not quite sure which one it is, it’s a railway station. The other one that’s worth noting is in Widdington what they did was that they put a lift in but to get to the lift you have to go up to the top of the hill, so instead of designing it where you could just walk along the flat you’ve got to go up the hill to get to the lift and a lot of residents were saying it’s too difficult to go up the hill to get to the lift to go back down again. Jos – It’s a long drag because the hill is in fact the route over the railway line and it’s probably an eighth of a mile this ramp, which is nonsense because at the side of it on the park says you could’ve put a footpath easily. And the other problem

3. In what decade were you born? 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s? 4. Please use a few words to describe yourself 5. Were you born in Manchester? If not, where are you from originally? 6. How long have you lived in Manchester? 7. Why do you choose to live in Manchester?

Prefer not to answer (please tick)

8. Broadly speaking, where in Manchester do you live – in the city centre, on the outskirts of the city? Other – please specify (If you wish you may identify an Prefer not to answer (please tick) area e.g. Chorlton, Hale etc.) 9. Do you live alone, with family, with friends? Other - please specify Prefer not to answer (please tick)

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15 IMAGES MYERS

15 IMAGES TOWNEND

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Reasons given by participants for 15 photographs taken at the Site of the Bridgewater canal at Castle Street, Manchester.

Please highlight the 3 favourite images in the left hand box

Boat is sinking, no one helps

Greenery, would like to do gardening there

Good review looking over the canal

Contrast between the green and the red brick

The structure of the bridge and the railway. Continuation of the carve.

The Hilton is framed by the red brick around it

Good memory. Always played in such environment when she was young

Metal bench - a symbol of the past industry age

Opera like open space, feel welcoming, clean

15 Images Jos Townend

Different to the other element from the site

Image 3: Image 2: Image 1: “I suppose really, the Victorian endeavor to put all this beautiful stuff together, and form this very busy, vibrant interchange. It’s amazing what they achieved”.

“Is that the tower in the distance? I think really that was just the drama of framing the view of the tower, extremes of architecture, robust, functional, very refined, captured in a view”.

“Is that the throughroad? This was really just picking up that there is a cross route through the site that is potentially quite pleasant with the barges which are now about pleasure rather than working, the railway network there, the industrial buildings, it was pulling it all together, with the through road”. “But it could be all a bit worrying, I got the impression that the site is quite hostile with all the security, I wonder if people are going through looking over their shoulder all the time. It’s not relaxing enough, yet its an important route.”

“I’m influenced by bridges, being from Newcastle, there are about 6 or 7 along the Tyne about a mile distance from each other.” “I designed a footbridge once but that was just a plank over with a hand rail”.

Trace left behind by homeless people

Smoke comes out from the ship. How do people live in there? What they need the logs for?

Image 5: Image 4: “Well that was one that summed it all up really, barrier, barrier, the other side, barrier, barrier, theres a bridge here, it was just the necessity to have to resort to design security”. “Little window with curtains draw, with nobody looking out, steps not really well defined, but out of use so i guess it really matter”.

“It was how things have softened up over the years. It had gone from an industrial business to a calming, overgrown, but quite nice change from probably what was quite harsh at the time, but they (the Victorians) were probably too busy to notice with all that loading and unloading”. “It was nice, just wild really”.

Image 6: “Dark, damp and narrow”. “The road is the edge of the site”. “Its the through route again”.

“It was the security really, that was the impact the whole site had on me, its very insecure which is very sad and I don't know what you can do about it. And thats a point, architects can do all sorts of things, but at the end of the day, if there isn’t the management involved to get rid of all these problems of security your left the problem anyhow and sometimes you (the architect) get the blame for it!”

Facade looks like a wall. Bricks are very old

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“Well that was quite an exciting building I thought, from that era. I don’t know what the function was, but this cascading down (the gable) is quite nice really, its quite well put together. In fact, of all the buildings on the site I like this one the best”.

“Well that really just shows the edge of the site and another world really. Canal, railway, edge of site, busy”.

“The problem with the car, the security, this one isn’t as bad as the one across the road with all the gates and all sorts of alarms”.

“Well that was probably the most beautiful building on the site with this lovely effect (reflected arches). This is where things came in and then onto horses and cart and then into the city. Its a lovely building”.

“Well that was showing the potential for this level change on your site”.

“This really summed up inclusive design, in terms of being in a wheelchair, you can’t really park next to where people are sitting. If your semi mobile you can't get out, and the seating doesn't have a handrail, which attracts vagrants that can lie down and go to sleep. The lovely litter bin right next to where you're sitting. A type of paving thats not good for partially sighted people”.

“And then the style of architecture which is very much influenced by the will of the planner I think, wanting his pastiche. There are a few trees there, but thats not really an integrated landscape scheme. Those trees just line the edge of the site, nothing else”.

“Tom Bloxham, a few actors and Mike Harding live in there”.

“And then in the distance, Manchester, its sort of remote and distant, and you can see their (the planners) philosophy of building tower blocks wherever they can, regardless of creating an environment. Its a landmark nonetheless (Beetham Tower), we can’t deny that”.

Image 13: “Not much to say other than what a beautiful little tower, it is rather nice”.

15 IMAGES LEAN Maisie Williams

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• historical • can’t build on them • appreciate the time spent putting them in • stronger than modern sets

• beautiful • historical vs modern contrast • wondering about history • • SELECTED

• social space • nice layout • natural background • disabled access from only one side (negative)

• windows • historical vs modern contrast • wondering about history

Reasons given by participants for 15 photographs taken at the Site of the Bridgewater canal at Castle Street, Manchester. Please highlight the 3 MOST POWERFUL images in the left hand box with a tick. √

Image 1

• importance of the Hilton- good design and height • unique

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• historical importance • brick and windows • no plaque (negative) • history behind “freehouse”

• beautiful construction • old form • canal

• “[trees] are what make people stop and appreciate where they are”

• no disabled access from front of Wharf pub (negative)

• straight from factory (negative) • relaxation, nice balcony area • quiet • flowers • prefer brick

• historical importance • brick and windows • no plaque (negative) • history behind “freehouse”? • • SELECTED

• nice cobbles • no benches to stop and take in the atmosphere (negative) • lack of bridge health and safety (negative) • nice traditional windows • • SELECTED

• environmental and aesthetic • relaxing • trees interrupting street • talking/resting point

Image 15: “That was a bit of Joy leading into the site. There is this lovely little building (the white one to the bottom left) which I quite like because its very clean and bright. And then this sort of iron fun place with a theater that is quite well used, its another use but quite a lively use. This part of the site is ten time as lively as the other. In the summer evenings they sit outside the pub I was talking about (Dukes 92), its a younger element, and drink whatever they drink”.

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“This was taken just to remind us that it had been a Roman Fort. Its the detailing that reminds us that it was once the starting point of Manchester. Its interesting that that was the starting point which then went on to be this Victorian interchange, it was very busy in a different sort of way”.

“The quality of the Victorian detailing”.

“Cars are a problem generally, A to hide and B to be convenient”.

15 IMAGES WILLIAMS

Image 14:

“Its the opposite now, people lock their doors and sit in front of a great big television set!”.

“The inclusive design is summed up in that little bit, its nonevident throughout the site”.

Design Report_ Volume 1 15 IMAGES WALBANK 15 Images

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WALLACE

MUTHRA SHAH

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Reasons given by participants for 15 photographs taken at the Site of the Bridgewater canal at Castle Street, Manchester.

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Bridgewater Canal, Manchester 27th September 2013

Students Name: Roseanne Knight (20)

Particpant Number: 21

Reasons given by participants for 15 photographs taken at the Site of the Bridgewater canal at Castle Street, Manchester. Image 7

Please highlight the 3 MOST POWERFUL images in the left hand box with a tick. √

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Please highlight the 3 MOST POWERFUL images in the left hand box with a tick. √

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‘It is an intergenerational space for visitors and Manchester people but it is too overgrown for children and not good for disabled access’.

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1 of 3 most powerful images

‘It is so untidy, a mess and unfriendly for visitors. The railings are not safe for children. It is unwelcoming’.

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Student Name…………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Participant……………………………………………………………………………………………………

‘The space has become a shelter for homeless people. Someone has slipped through the net and this is his current home. It’s a shame and highlights inequalities. Better lighting is needed here at night’.

Student Name…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Participant……………………………………………………………………………………………………

‘The vegetation looks good but there needs to be fruit trees there to encourage activity. Fencing would make it safer and more legible’.

‘It’s really beautiful but needs to look tidy. Landscaping is required to make it safe so you can enjoy’.

‘This highlights real safety issues which prevent intergenerational use. It encourages the wrong use of the space. The bridge is beautiful’.

‘It is a beautiful structure and should be responded to in a development. It is grand and should be integrated into design’.

‘I like the area as it is but it needs benches so that everyone can appreciate the space’.

‘A development should take consideration of the church so as not to spoil it. Mix old and new in a good way. The housing is fine in the background but I wouldn’t like to live there’.

‘This area requires tidying up as its of historical importance. There needs to be amenities nearby. The brickwork needs cleaning up and the vegetation cut back so as not to ruin old structures’.

15 IMAGES FAHEY

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Image 8 Friend, car park Show how high we’d come up – change in condition

Image 4 The posing duck

Reasons given by participants for 15 photographs taken at the Site of the Bridgewater canal at Castle Street, Manchester.

Image 12 Nice view of the house at the end Path by canal – nice and smooth, easy to walk/move

Please highlight the 3 favourite images in the left hand box with a tick. √ Image 1 Clock-‐tower

‘This needs to be cleaned up and made safe. The building should be used as part of a guided tour of history not as a graffiti wall’.

Image 2 Liked the boat; Likes looking at them

Image 5 Hilton tower – hate it, no style, no character, can’t imagine it ageing Doesn’t fit, contrast not right with surroundings

Image 6

Image 9 √ Coal, water, power poster – information, history, explains how it worked, gives you understanding (doesn’t assume everyone knows)

Image 10 √ White chair – site 1, a negative view Seems small (site) Noise and the trains wouldn’t be desirable

Image 13 Train and bridge – liked the train passing Wouldn’t be convenient living there because of noise though

Image 14 √ Like that house – Duke’s 92 – not part of a village, just a one off (sort of out of place but a positive image)

‘Both the development of buildings and good landscaping is required here. Exercise tools could be implemented along the canal’.

‘This is a beautiful view currently but needs attention in its landscaping. The boat building needs to find a new use as it is dead as it is’.

2 of 3 most powerful images.

‘This building could be used as shops or changing rooms and shower facilities for canal boat users. Public toilets would be good here too’.

3 of 3 most powerful images.

Image 3 Different – sinking boat

Image 7 Waterwheel – 1987 History of the site

Image 11 Old tower – lack of information about it, would be nice to know what it was

Students: 17, 31

Image 15 Boat – liked the names written on the hull – Gladys and Emily “you don’t see those names anymore”

Participant 24

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15 IMAGES JARVIS

15 images (only took 12)

Participant 23

Heritage of drawbridge – can see its part of what was a working area. The housing looks like it could be anywhere else

That hideous glass extension, it doesn’t fit in with the area The canal looks nice

I was trying to see which side of the building was the working side I would like to move the parking away from the building so you can actually see the building

Looks out of sync It’s quite posh

I like that, I think its quite interesting to have that in the middle of Manchester and that brings you back to earth -‐ that glass extension again. I think it doesn’t look right, if that was a street it might look nice

[talking about Beetham tower] That is particularly overpowering; it towers above everything. I have absolutely no idea why Manchester keeps allowing buildings like that, there’s nothing wrong with modern structures, but I think I just hate that. It’s obviously making a statement to somebody but I’m not sure what it is.

It’s showing you the area you’re in, what used to happen there. The canal barges used to be work barges, they’re now leisure but there was plenty of space for people to work. It was a train and a tram these bridges, you can see just a few minutes outside city centre its quite a calm place

I like this because you wouldn’t typically think about old Manchester because a lot of the buildings are being used for younger people because it’s a younger peoples area. Certainly the office building is more interesting than the grey brick building opposite the hostel because it’s been converted for a use.

15 IMAGES RUTHERFORD

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Please highlight the 3 MOST POWERFUL images in the left hand box with a tick √. The boat seems to be in the process of picking up the rubbish, which is good. The greenery taking over which I quite like and would like to remain as a wildlife resource and also for aesthetic reasons. Also like the red sandstone showing the early origins of the canal system.

The buildings could have been more sympathetic

The tower brings you back to manchester

I like the amount of water. The junction and the docks show the history

8. Broadly speaking, where in Manchester do you live – in the city centre, on the outskirts of the city? Other – please specify

Question 1. What is your name? 2. How would you describe your gender?

Answer Pauline Sergeant Female

Prefer not to answer (please tick) st

3. In what decade were you born? 1940s (1949) 31 May 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s? Prefer not to answer (please tick) 4. Please use a few words to describe yourself

Approachable, communicative, interactive, lover of life, friendly Prefer not to answer (please tick)

5. Were you born in Manchester? No, born in Jamaica, brought up If not, where are you from in London. originally? Prefer not to answer (please tick) 6. How long have you lived in Manchester?

7. Why do you choose to live in Manchester?

44-‐45 years

10. Please could you indicate if you are a: a) Homeowner b) Renter c) Other -‐ please specify 11. Do you feel part of the community in which you live? 12. How long have you lived in this community / area? 13. Ideally, where would you like to live?

Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Parents first moved to Manchester. It is friendly and close to family. It was where she met her husband. Prefer not to answer (please tick)

14. Please could you tell me a little about your weekday / weekend routine? What do you do, where do you go etc.

Looks like a duck house. I have this thing about public art. It can introduce a lighter note into a place. It can be informative, can help you to navigate, provide a meeting place. It can be educational.

Basic provision for wheelchair users given and is only accessible route to the bar entrance. But the management have seen fit to put a table and chairs in the way. It needs to be obvious what its purpose is for.

Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Homeowner (joint). Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Yes, definitely very active members. Prefer not to answer (please tick) 41 years. Prefer not to answer (please tick) Happy to stay where she lives. Every amenity close-‐by. Good community spirit. Prefer not to answer (please tick) Varied. She is an avid volunteerer with the community council. (for e.g.) She is the chair of governors at the school, chair of Churches Together, acts in Valuing Older

15. How would you describe your general state of health? (e.g. very good, fair, poor etc.)

Poor. Not in the best of health physically. Keeps herself busy mentally. The physical problems aren’t stopping her. Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Image demonstrates the need to have maps to show you around. We are standing here but how so you get back to the youth hostel? Shows historic bridge which has been cared for. Shows new buildings as well.

This one is about the lack of announcement in to an area. Could be a sign in the scale of the bin park saying ‘you are entering…’such and such and for it to be consistent in other access areas. Designed by a highway engineer with little input from anyone else. Not pedestrian friendly either.

√

8. Broadly speaking, where in Manchester do you live – in the city centre, on the outskirts of the city? Other – please specify

2. How would you describe your gender?

Answer Maureen Jarvis Female

Prefer not to answer (please tick)

3. In what decade were you born? 1949, age 64 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s? Prefer not to answer (please tick) 4. Please use a few words to describe yourself

Feel no different to 30 years ago, must have good genes

7. Why do you choose to live in Manchester?

20 years

Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Moved for work

Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Inner city, in a conservation area

(If you wish you may identify an Prefer not to answer (please tick) area e.g. Chorlton, Hale etc.) 9. Do you live alone, with family, with friends? With my dog Other -‐ please specify

Prefer not to answer (please tick) 5. Were you born in Manchester? Hampshire, Southampton If not, where are you from Prefer not to answer (please tick) originally? 6. How long have you lived in Manchester?

I’m not that happy with cycling on the pavement but with Chester Road, I can see why people would. Blind people might be intimidated by people whizzing past them on bikes. The sign isn’t very clear. The cycle lane should have been all one colour and the pedestrian lane left as tarmac. Could have been on different levels like in Denmark, I think.

The following questions are intended to explore a little bit about you and your background. While we ask for your name here, it will not be used in the write up of our research findings.

1. What is your name?

Mobility, Mood and Place Background and Demographic Questions

Question

I’m thinking that if I’m walking down here from Chester Road, you have a brick wall on one side and windows with blinds closed on the other, I’d feel rather nervous.

Looks like a fairly new piece of infrastructure, new building and there is no drop kerb for accessibility. There is no excuse for this.

√

People (board member), etc. Spends time with her family.

Gorton South, Levenshulme (borders)

This was about the site behind the big warehouse which had lot of signs telling you not to do this, not to do that. Don’t come in here! Gated community – keep out!

Shows a use of activity. It’s a community thing with people coming in and engaging with the area.

BACKGROUND QUESTIONS JARVIS

(If you wish you may identify an area e.g. Chorlton, Hale etc.) Prefer not to answer (please tick) 9. Do you live alone, with family, Husband and youngest with friends? daughter. Other -‐ please specify

These are the balconies facing Chester road and thinking, nobody should have a balcony facing Chester road! Nice view of the church potentially.

This is Manchester referencing itself as a European city. Looking outwards to the wider world.

√

The following questions are intended to explore a little bit about you and your background. While we ask for your name here, it will not be used in the write up of our research findings.

Landscape softening. Helps with the environment and wildlife. Nice berries there with birds eating them. We saw on the walk a crab apple tree. Why just berries. Maybe we could plant more trees which can give us produce.

BACKGROUND QUESTIONS SERGEANT

Mobility, Mood and Place Background and Demographic Questions

Duke 92. Good memories here. Good food and meeting people. I like the balcony here as it provides protection from the rain and also because as someone with a hearing impairment, it’s nice to get outside and away from the background music and loud conversations. Outside its quiet and you can have a one-‐to-‐one.

Reasons given by participants for 15 photographs taken at the site of the Bridgewater Canal at Castle Street, Manchester.

13. Ideally, where would you like to live?

14. Please could you tell me a little about your weekday / weekend routine? What do you do, where do you go etc.

Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Tied accommodation Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Yes and I’m active in forums Prefer not to answer (please tick) 20 years Prefer not to answer (please tick) Don’t know, I’d like to move back to the New Forest area but I would be an alien as I have no friends or family there Prefer not to answer (please tick) I work with older people during the week and at the weekend I catch up on sleep or visit family Prefer not to answer (please tick)

15. How would you describe your general state of health? (e.g. very good, fair, poor etc.)

Good, don’t have to take pills, only just stopped running and I do lots of walking Prefer not to answer (please tick)

Didn’t seem to be a very obvious sign. Would be obvious to traffic coming from particular direction, but for someone walking maybe less so. Needs to be more obvious.

Design Report_ Volume 1 TRIADIC SORTING ANALYSIS: PLACE EXPERIENCE Aspects of place experience Participants' perceptions and expereinces of the site / parts or elements of the site Poorly maintained [planting, paintwork, brickwork, trees] Unsafe [benches to close to the canal, unsafe at night, unsafe for children, older adults, people with disabilities, canal is a hazard, overhanging trees are a hazard] Messy / untidy Enjoy being there Peaceful / tranquil / serene Good views place satisfaction [participants spoke about liking everything within an image, the image showing a place that is unimprovable and / or being unable to identify something within the image that they disliked] inaccessible [pathways, bridges, street furniture, for the disabled, visually impaired] nice place / aspects Placeness Clean and tidy Historic (positive) Contrasts [building types, surfaces, old and new, light and dark] Variety (positive) [buildings, elements, planting, activities] well maintained colourless enclosed - no exit (negative) open / spacious accessible colourful (positive) dull historic / old improvable interesting [arches, structures, bridges, buildings] Intriguing [arches, structures] lacks purpose [places, buildings] place has potential / development potential well used Good atmosphere neglected Not a place to stay Poor legibility Poor security relaxing sense of place Unloved place unwelcoming appealing bright / light busy dark emptiness / nothingness (negative) industrial isolated lots going on (positive) love New blends with old (positive) nothing to do Place evokes the past place has purpose (positive) Place to stay

Frequency 43 25 22 17 17 15 16 14 13 13 11 11 10 10 8 7 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

pleasant place Safe solid construction Surprising Twee [planting, gatekeepers' cottage] Uninviting Blocked views dangerous empty / inactive focal point great [places, buildings, structures] hard / harsh place Idyllic Intergenerational place (positive) lacks people lonely lovely mysterious [arches] natural (positive) no understanding of the area's context / purpose not relaxing perfect place place to avoid poor connectivity pricey area Restorative (water) rich environment' secluded secrete small scale (positive) social problems present (homelessness) unattractive uncared for urban a world away from the city, but still within the city' architecture 'makes you look up' area could be used in a better way attracts and holds your attention [bridge] back of beyond badly designed area [at end of canal] balance beach-like Bridge becomes a goal' Buildings used well built-up Calatrava-like calm car-centric (negative) careful, considered construction charming place cold appearance community [of barges] components blend together (positive) confusing Congested with cars (negative) Continental (positive) countryside (positive) crisp decorative (positive) delicate place destructive development is 'a simple house builder solution'

TRIADIC SORTING ANALYSIS: ELEMENTS 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Disorientated doesn't look like an area of much' domestic scale dominance overshadows other spaces dramatic Draws you in empty skyline' (negative) example of 'developers doing the minimum required...[shows]...thoughtlessness' fascinating feeling of continuity Fluidity functional Functional not just decorative structures (positive) gloomy grot spot' heath hazard Heritage tourism potential hidden hidden gem' historical elements are signposted honest hotchpotch human aspect human scale (positive) identity in need of improvement in need of redevelopment inappropriate use It is what it is' it's not just a housing estate jungle-like lacks activity lacks inclusive design lacks life layout of street furniture seems to have been an afterthought lifeless lightness to the place like a doll's house little gem' little to do at Beetham Tower looks like a hotel (positive) Looks like a submarine coming up from the first glance looks new (negative) Matching colours Meaningful to Manchester mixture of nature' Modern development 'off-sets' old development (positive) Moorish movement / activity (positive) multiple layers natural natural decay (positive) new discovery new 'mimics' old elements nice place to live no buzz No sense of Manchester nodal point not beautiful not exciting not nice

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Not user friendly obstructive old and new era mixed (positive) Old elements preferred to the new Old juxtaposed with the new (positive) Old stands out against the new (positive) oppressive out of the way' Park-like passer-by looks lost Place dissatisfaction place feels guarded / protected Place generates positive feelings place is 'not for me' place looks like an island place 'stands alone' place tells a story place to escape to (because it is peaceful) place with potential place-specific pleasant atmosphere Poor maintenance of the area is annoying Poor views poorly preserved poorly renovated poorly thought through design Potential for activity potential oasis Potentially attractive prefers old to new elements preserved identity (positive) pretty prison block style housing' (negative) protected quirky reference points [towers] refreshing regeneration relaxed renewed requires restoration resembles a window residential area Roman-like rustic scary school-like [when describing a bar] seems like entrace to a tip / a dump seems like planting has spontaneously grown around the fixed structures (positive) Separate living and leisure uses at the canal side would be desirable shows a different way of life sinister slow pace of life smooth social area soft solid spaces spacious striking structures fit in with their surroundings

talking point the area's messy / untidy appearance is 'disrespectful to the canal and natural environment' through-point too bad to improve Too many people may spoil the area's charm uncluttered unconnected isolated elements' underused undesirable unfinished unfriendly unimpressive uninspiring space uninteresting unlovely un-manicured (positive) unobtrusive unpleasant unpretentious unprotected unusual unusual (positive) useable valued vibrant visual interest - limited visually interesting vulnerable walkable warm and cosy [the arches] Wary / uncertain about place at night water and land 'working together' weather dependent use (negative) welcoming for barges whole other world going on at the site' Wild (positive)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Element Elements identified by the participants. Positive = favoured element / element that participants would like to see incorporated at the site Negative = disliked element / element participants would wish to see excluded / addressed Neither positive nor negative = participant commented on an element without indicating a preference for it Street furniture (positive) [should be plentiful, have back and arm rests, not situated too near the canal, longer benches desirable, needs to be accessible, avoid a random layout of street furniture, provide some street furniture with shelter] Information points (positive) trees and planting (positive) [a couple of participants spoke about planting needing to be varied and interesting] bridges (positive) Water (positive) barges (positive) trees (positive) arches (positive) Canal Canal side safety barriers (positive) Beetham Tower (negative) Old and modern elements mixed (positive) water - reflections in water (positive) Canal (positive) bridges car park (negative) Bins (positive) flowers (positive) Buildings (positive) Barges Lighting (positive) Nature (positive) setts paving (negative) [inaccessible] uneven surfaces (negative) water barges (negative) [often participants were discussing the barge used to collect rubbish when commenting negatively about the barges at the site] café (positive) colours (positive) public art (positive) bridges (negative) [inaccessible, too narrow, unsafe] buildings Clean water (positive) fencing (negative) mix of elements (positive) natural light (positive) planting (positive)

TRIADIC SORTING ANALYSIS: ACTIVITIES hard ground hard landscaping (negative) Historic buildings (positive) historical elements (positive) housing (positive) industrial architecture landscaping landscaping (positive) large area of open space (negative) [needs to be broken up] large area of pavement (negative) [wasted space] leaves (positive) Lighting Lighting - canal side (positive) materials middle of the range food outlets (positive) mix of features (positive) mix of layers (positive) modern building (positive) modern extension (positive) natural environment natural landscape (positive) natural light needles new bridge (negative) new paving slabs (negative) office conversion (positive) Old architecture (positive) old bridge (positive) old fashioned bay windows (positive) old industrial elements (positive) old industrial tower Old lamp post (positive) Old lanterns old paving slabs (positive) old red brick building (positive) open space original buildings (positive) outdoor gym (positive) outside space (positive) parasols (positive) Pathway edge - poorly defined (negative) pathways (negative) [inadequate] pavement slabs pedestrianized (positive) pitch of roof (positive) pitched roofs (positive) plain buildings (negative) plant pots / tubs planting (negative) [manicured, unseasonal] Power centre Preserved historic buildings (positive) protective features on the bridge (positive)

public toilets with swipe card access (positive) railings (negative) railway (positive) red brick buildings (positive) replication of a curve in different structures (positive) restaurant restaurant (positive) reused / regenerated warehouse (positive) road (negative) roof roof (positive) sand sand (positive) shadow cast by bridges sharp edges signage - large / obtrusive (negative) skyline steps steps (negative) stone pathway (positive) stone wall street light street light (postive) sunken barge (negative) tactile paving (positive) terracotta colours (positive) trains transport (positive) trees (negative) [enclosing place] tunnel (negative) turrets (positive) Unique, specialist masonry (positive) Victorian bridge Victorian ironwork (positive) wall warehouse warehouse (positive) water (negative) waterfront weathered materials wildlife window opening detail (positive) windows (positive) windows in new building (negative) windows in old warehouse (positive) windows of varying sizes (positive) wood - as a building material (positive) zinc

Elements grouped by 10 diverse themes (these are not necessarily the most frequently mentioned themes)

Trees, planting, flowers, grass, nature, green space, leaves, willow trees Canals, water, reflections in water, clean water, fountain, waterfront Buildings - old, historic, industrial, modern, housing, conversions, extensions, towers, Beetham Tower, church, warehouses Street furniture Bridges Barges, moorings and canal side safety barriers Information points (positive) Paving and pathways - setts paving, paving slabs, uneven surfaces, pathways, stone pathway, pathway edge, flag stones, steps Materials - brick, red brick, stone, sand, concrete, weathered materials, mix of materials, wood, rock, sandstone Arches

Activity Activities participants would do, or would like to do but are not possible at present sit walk

Frequency (with formulas)

Observe / look / watch [barges, structures, buildings, canal, surroundings, activity within the site]

111 79 51 61 51 49 47 45 24 14

explore spend time eat Read / learn about the place [typically through reference to an info. point / board] relax read visit picnic boat trip cycle Clean pass through swim drink - coffee at a café listen to music socialise leave / exit people watch touch [elements in the environment - e.g. trees, stone] Visit with children boat - take up residence boat trip - guided chat with friends contemplate / reflect / think daydream drink drink - at a bar Play take photos walk the dog art class boat - dine onboard canal-boat related activities chat climb trees Cool down on a hot summer day cross over the canal dangle feet in the water demolish and rebuild drink - at a restaurant drink - coffee from a flask drink - pint drink - tea / beer feed ducks Gardening Guides in period costume explaining the site interact with elements in the environment jog kayaking listen to music - a band locate and ring the church bell

Frequency 52 32 27 18 17 15 15 15 11 11 8 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

park car pass by quickly provide assistance to passerby who appears lost rest savour the surroundings shopping spend time in Beetham Tower sunbath view something on display walk - self guided tour walk - take the children for a walk yoga

shops (positive) Architecture (positive) bar (positive) [one participant mentioned the desirability of age-friendly bars] Beetham Tower (positive) market Open space (positive) Pathway pathway (positive) scenery (positive) setts paving (positive) signage (positive) sky trees wharf bar willow trees (positive) architectural lighting effects (positive) bricks (positive) cars cycle racks (positive) drop kerb (positive) grass materials (negative) [no harmony between them, offer poor accessibility, poorly considered] mix of materials (positive) paving (negative) [inaccessible, not continuous, out of character] railings (positive) ramp (positive) red brick (positive) rock / sandstone / stone (positive) 1970s residential development (negative) birds (positive) bricks bright flowers (negative) car park cycle path (positive) environment (positive) fencing flowers gateway / entrance signage (positive) glass enclosure - to create new space (positive) grass (positive) Green space (positive) ground Historical structures (positive) industrial buildings (positive) Machinery (positive) modern buildings (negative) modern housing (negative) moorings (positive) pavement (positive) plant pots / tubs (positive) planting which lacks variety (negative)

Public toilets (positive) railway setts paving street furniture structures Structures (positive) towers (positive) water - potential hazard (negative) weathered materials (positive) wide pathways (positive) wildlife (positive) 1980s bridge detail (negative) alignment of buildings (positive) arcades (positive) arches (negative) [too dark] architectural elements (positive) balconies offering poor views (negative) balconies over water (negative) bare grass (negative) Beetham tower bicycles big open green space (positive) biodiversity brick buildings (positive) buildings (negative) [seem out of character] buildings of different types mixed together (positive) Calatrava bridge Calatrava bridge (positive) car park (positive) castellated columns of the railway bridge (positive) Church (negative) climbing plants (negative) clouds colonnades (positive) commercial units (positive) concrete (negative) conversion (positive) curb (negative) curve in road (positive) Dual use building (positive) Engineering and structures (positive) fair fencing (positive) firm ground (positive) flag stones flag stones (positive) fountain (positive) Georgian windows (positive) glass extension graffiti (negative) green space (negative) [poorly conceived] gym

TRIADIC SORTING ANALYSIS: NOTES 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Top 10 activities when grouped by theme sit Walk / self guided walking tour / walk the dog Observe / look / watch [barges, structures, buildings, canal, surroundings, activity within the site] and people watch eat / picnic explore spend time relax visit / visit with children Read / learn about the place [typically through reference to an info. point / board] Have a drink (coffee / pint, at a bar / café / restaurant) read

Notes

Frequency 52 36 30 23 18 18 15 14 13 12 10

Analysis based on data from 12 participants Analysis based on data from 12 participants Huge amount of data generated from just small number of participants Huge amount of adata generated from just a small number of participants Some participants responded toparticipants the image more than they didimage the part of the site captured and so there comments thewere quality of the photo, Some responded to the more than they did thewithin part ofthe theimage site captured withinwere the image and about so there comments aboutthe thecomposition quality of the photo, the composition of the photo etc. of the photo etc.

Aspects of place experience – lackofofplace uniformity of views, many experiences and perceptions were noted once andwere werenoted particular a single participant – indicates thatparticipant the Aspects experience – lack of uniformity of views, many experiences andonly perceptions only to once and were particular to a single – indicates that the participants all experienced the site differently. This diversity grouping the placemakes experience datathe intoplace a more manageable of categories difficult and of perhaps unwise. participants all experienced the sitemakes differently. This diversity grouping experience data number into a more manageable number categories difficult and perhaps unwise. Despite the diverse rangeDespite of experiences reported, sense that parts of the sitesense werethat thought messy,poorly untidy,maintained, and potentially unsafe, did, however, emerge. Parts the diverse range aofbroad experiences reported, a broad partspoorly of themaintained, site were thought messy, untidy, and potentially unsafe, did, however, emerge. Parts of the site, and/or particular structures / buildings at the site, were, though, identified intriguing, mysterious, great, 'a little mysterious, gem', 'a hidden gem' etc. gem', while many participants of the site, and/or particular structures / buildings at the site,aswere, though, identified as intriguing, great, 'a little 'a hidden gem' etc.spoke while about many participants spoke about the site as an enjoyable place to be they would enjoy a walk or having a coffee the site as -an enjoyable placegoing to be for - they would enjoy going for athere. walk or having a coffee there. The particular photos chosen the participants clearlyby shaped the type ofclearly experience they Some participants only selected photos that only captured the parts of that the site they liked The by particular photos chosen the participants shaped thereported. type of experience they reported. Some participants selected photos captured the parts of the site they liked and, consequently, their accounts of the site were positive. Others selected highlighted problems or deficiencies such as poor maintenance, poor and, consequently, their accounts of the site were images positive.that Others selectedperceived images that highlighted perceived -problems or deficiencies - such asaccessibility poor maintenance, poor accessibility and, therefore, their accounts the site were more negative. and, of therefore, their accounts of the site were more negative.

Activities - Degree of consistency regarding activities they would do oractivities would like to do at the Sitting, site, exploring sitethe andsite, its exploring the site and its Activitiesamongst - Degreeparticipants of consistency amongst participants regarding they would do site. or would likereading, to do atlearning the site. about Sitting,the reading, learningthe about buildings, observing activity at the site, its buildings and eating lunch,and having a picnic andlunch, goinghaving for a walk all emerged as for relatively formsasofrelatively activity. popular forms of activity. buildings, observing activity at scenery, the site, its buildings scenery, eating a picnic and going a walk popular all emerged

Elements - Some degree Elements of consistency amongst in regards to the elementsinidentified, their attitudes these differed (whether they were - Some degreeparticipants of consistency amongst participants regards tohowever, the elements identified,towards however, theirelements attitudesoften towards these elements often differed (whether they were viewed positively or negatively). the natural environment of the built environment mentioned often. The canals and water were frequently referenced. viewedElements positively within or negatively). Elements withinand the aspects natural environment and aspectswere of the built environment were mentioned often. The canals and water were frequently referenced. Street furniture, and information points explaining the history of the site, were with mentioned participantsregularly, strongly favouring their presence. Street furniture, and information points explaining thementioned history of regularly, the site, were with participants strongly favouring their presence.

145

SUMMARIES OF KEY READINGS: PLACE AND PLACELESSNESS

SUMMARIES OF KEY READINGS: OLDER PEOPLES HEALTH

Key hypotheses in the paper

Edward Relph – Place and Placelessness (1976)

Outline of content: 1. A phenomenology of space and place a. Relationship between space and place 2. Depth of place a. Identity of place b. Identity with place c. Insideness d. Outsideness 3. Placelessness 4. Experiences of the present-‐day landscapes 5. Prospects for places

Edward S. Casey

This book is a philosophical history of the evolving conceptualizations of place and space in Western thought. It follows the path that place thinking has taken through the centuries by many different theorists and attempts to outline the boundaries and absences from the complex history of space and place. He explains how an early fixation on place eventually gave way to space as a naturalistic worldview, modified into a theological stance, which was then overtaken by scientific thinking. Part 1: From Void to Vessel

The original survey was sent out to 2018 people and only 318 responded. Of these responses, 47 were removed having left the SNE freeform question blank, leaving 271. In reviewing the results, a number of observations were made. It was found that the higher level of walking was found in participants with a higher level of SNE (up to 2.5 times more likely) than those who rated lower SNE. This correlates well with other studies regarding walking time and supportive neighbourhoods. Other findings demonstrated that those with higher walking times were more likely to be in good health than those with a below average weekly walking time. This also correlates with previous studies focussing on these two factors. It must be said, however, that people who walk regularly are healthy people in the first instance. The quality of outdoor activity is important (social interaction and contact with nature) should also be considered along with the quantity of activity but little research has been carried out to assess this. From the data gathered, it was also found that those who walked the most showed a significantly higher likelihood of being healthier. It was also found that people who lived alone and had routine jobs were healthier than people living with someone and had a non-‐routine job. The reasons for this are unclear – further measures of health conditions may shed some light on this point.

Outcomes

A number of points should be raised about the interpretation of results. The fact that the results are self-‐reported may indicate bias. It is important to note that as people age they decline in functional ability and give up on more challenging activities. It was observed that the mean SNE level was near to the max value, possibly due to this reason. Categorising activities as easy through challenging could prove useful. The quality of activity would also be worth noting.

One of Relph’s central accomplishments in Place and Placelessness is his preserving an intimate conceptual engagement between space and place. Many geographers speak of both concepts but ultimately treat the two as separate or give few indications as to how they are related existentially and conceptually.

Well Being, work environment and work accidents

Type of employment Involved in dangerous jobs

This paper publishes the results of analysis being carried out to understand the causes of work related accidents in order to predict accident proneness. This is relevant because of the increase in both human suffering and economic costs.

Results:

He concludes the book with the idea that the openness of space in in places and we will experience and see the limitless openness and poignancy of space in “the localities of our concrete bodily movements…our most engaged experiences of being in place – in many different ways and in many different places.” p.342

Occupational: This is the type of environment people work in, if it is hazardous or involves machinery, or if the correct training has been undertaken.

2 – Accident proneness is conditional on being occupied in a dangerous job and being a subcontractor

Human error: Personal factors such as stress levels, demographic background and tiredness Accident proneness: The combination of both organizational and human error results in the same people having accidents. Certain characteristics that may lead to an accident can also be enhanced by the organizational characteristics of the job.

6 – Accident proneness is not affected by gender, age or education 7 – Length of service has no effect on accident proneness

Model 2 – Addition of work conditions – including danger at work, unsafe procedures, lack of social support

“Stressed emotional wellbeing affects accident proneness with the same magnitude as a dangerous work environment.”

Model 3 – Addition of emotional wellbeing – perceived stress and control over life events, dealing with problems

The research suggests they have a 70% success rate in classifying accident proneness.

200 interviews using a closed question survey divided into 4 sections were carried out over a 3 month period with people who were admitted to the emergency departments in Northern Israel registered as work-injured. This sample was achieved by a purposeful non-random sampling technique that fits the pattern of work injuries in most industrialized nations. 5-point Likert scales were used to measure levels of risk in work environments and levels of stress.

Part 3: The Supremacy of Space

Descartes identified space with physical bodies possessing magnitude and shape, and recognized only a conceptual distinction between these terms. His core concept, extension, is the common substance of matter and space.

It seems as though there could have been greater research into employees’ wellbeing at work through the environment. The work conditions focused on aspects of danger and not research into the qualities of working conditions such as light, noise or space. All of these could contribute to safety of the work environment and/or stress levels. The information presented seemed to be slightly obvious. The sampling strategy is too precise and constricts the information – why have they only chosen already injured workers in an emergency department? They probably have elevated stress levels as they are injured! What about the people who don’t have accidents at work? They can’t all be single, low paid, in good housing and not stressed.

Findings:

Leibniz's definition of space as "order of coexistence" leads to the separation of body and space and breaks down the importance of position and external associations in relation to place.

There were stronger perceptions of risk in the work environment in people who had to break safety rules at work and by those who had had multiple accidents at work. The four predictors with the highest significance for injury proneness were: Being married – increased stress levels of being the household head Personal income level

Part 1 of the book describes the intellectual framework for affective computing. Part 2 describes the technical design and construction of affective computers. The main benefit of affective computing is that we will have a better experience with technology, it will begin to understand and respond to us. This enhances our understanding of people, their health issues and their happiness levels. The collaboration of computer science with psychology displayed in the examples of Affective Computing research highlights the need for balanced technology with more than just logical reasoning abilities.

The research does point out that the factors of stress can be measured and that all the findings, however obvious they seem, are quantifiable results.

Stress was further broken down into factors “life disorder” – feelings towards life hardships, “unhappiness with family life” - dissatisfaction and losing control over events and “loneliness” – feeling lonely and inadequacy of housing conditions. Both positive and negative variables of emotional wellbeing affecting injury proneness were found. This is due to the type of stress; life disorder related stress may only be short-lived and could result in an accident but does not mean the person is always stressed. More permanent factors of stress such as poor housing leading to long term feelings of stress increases accident proneness and risk of repeat injury.

Part 4: The Reappearance of Place

Affective Computing explains how psychologists and educators have re-defined intelligence to include emotional and social skills rather than just purely as a measure of a person’s’ rational thinking abilities. Furthermore, it highlights the critical role of emotion in rational thinking and asks for a re-evaluation of the way we understand, use and build computers: ‘In normal cognition, thinking and feeling are partners, a computer device that thinks in the sense of mimicking a human brain, must also feel’. (Picard, 1997,Page 12) The book calls for a restoration of the balance between emotion and cognition in the design of technologies for addressing human needs as the current situation is that feelings are totally ignored when interacting with a computer. ‘They are invalidated - never a display of interest, boredom, satisfaction, approval, frustration, or confusion. The effects of such an interaction cannot possibly be as healthy as an interaction in which a person feels validated, that his or her abilities are valuable.’ (Picard, 1997, Page 250)

4 – Accident proneness is affected by the interaction of longer hours work and level of wages – those with higher wages and longer hours are more likely to be injured 5 – Poor housing conditions is positively related to accident proneness – people will work longer to make more money, taking less breaks leading to more accidents

Model 1 - Socio-demographic characteristics – whether or not this effects accident proneness

He gives a history of the birth of modern spatial conceptions in the writings of Newton, Descartes, Leibniz, and Kant and defines the evolution of twentieth-century phenomenological approaches in the work of Husserl, Merleau-Ponty and Bachelard among others.

Roseanne Knight

3 – The magnitude of these factors is enhanced by the feeling of anger – anger was found to be prominent where employees felt a lack of control and support from colleagues leading to things going wrong and stress

In order to estimate the probability of repeated injury they created a theoretical framework consisting of three basic categories, which were then formed into three additive and sequential models:

Parts two and three concentrate on the rise of infinite space from Hellenistic philosophy to the modem era. It describes how space differs from place in that it is emptied of body in principle. Within the universal and passive void of space places only are temporary subdivisions.

Summary of Affective Computing by Rosalind Picard.

1 – Specific aspects of the work environment differentially affected employees proneness toward their first or repeated work injury

They look at three approaches attributing to the cause/increased risk of work related accidents:

He goes on to explore the heritage of Neoplatonic, medieval, and Renaissance speculations about space.

maintained? Computers can gain access to highly personal information, the emotions of users can be picked up across the internet by third party marketing bodies, making it a challenge for the user to remain in control. Too much affect in computing may also be harmful and raise mortal and ethical dilemmaspeople don’t like being confused whether they are talking to a machine or not (eg. answer phone machine behaviour). Finally, an important part of communication is being able to see each other, how can computing technology advance in this area?

Kirschenbaum et al

Kirschenbaum, A. et al, 2000. Social Science & Medicine, 50: 631-639.

The reappearance of place occurred through embodiment, or lived places. The work of Heidegger looked at aspects of place such as neighbourhood, dwelling and nearness and questioned the difference between finite place and infinite universe, considering place in terms of region, bodies, architecture, psyche and institution. There is no single basis for the primacy of place, “place is all over the place…” p.337

Although the book is a well-documented chronological account of the philosophical history of place and space it is written purely from a philosophical stance and therefore doesn’t engage with the world itself or any concrete examples to further explore the history of spatial ideas. This not only makes it difficult to read in terms of the philosophical language but hard to relate to the ideas beyond abstract thought.

Part 2: From Place to Space

SUMMARIES OF KEY READINGS: AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

SUMMARIES OF KEY READINGS: WELL BEING, WORK ENVIRONMENTS AND WORK ACCIDENTS

Casey begins by explaining the cosmological ideas of place and creation. He uses references from mythological and religious creation stories and the theories of Plato and Aristotle to explain the relationship between creation of the world and place. Questioning, “Does place precede the creation of the world – being presupposed by it – or is place a result of creation itself?” In considering Plato’s texts he concludes that we cannot decide between the two options: “It follows that creation is at once of place and from place. From creation, place proceeds; but it, creation itself, takes place only in place.” He then backs up the stance of having it both ways as a dual cosmologic seen in many other texts. p.45 Space began to replace place in 17th Century physics as place was seen to be about a physical location with boundaries whereas space was never ending. Casey sees this as a neglect of place.

The main method of collecting data from participants was a self-‐assessment questionnaire mailed out to over 65’s in 12 regions throughput UK, representing a diverse set of populations. As well as those living in their own homes, the same age group living sheltered housing where considered where it is assumed residents are less likely to engage in outdoor activity. Also, people from ethnic backgrounds were included where it was assumed that poor English skills would hinder their involvement. Through interpreters, 22 further results were added to the dataset. In the questionnaire, one of the questions asked was how many days, in the last 30, in which poor physical and mental health prevented them from carrying out daily activities. Also asked was the amount of time spent outdoors as a means to gauge the quantity of outdoor activity (in the form of walking). From the data gathered, a mean activity rate of 2.5 hours/week walking was calculated. People were also asked to list outdoor activities they do regularly or are thinking about doing and rate them on a five point scale as to how achievable this was. The supportiveness of neighbourhood environments (SNE) to facilitate this activity for the participants was also measured.

Though a radical idea in the 1970s, Relph’s conclusion that space is heterogeneous and infused with many different lived dimensions is largely taken for granted in geographical studies today as researchers speak of such spatial modes as sacred space, gendered space, commodified space, and the like.

In the book's final section, Casey demonstrates with the postmodern theories of Whitehead, Foucault, Heidegger, Kant, Derrida, Tschumi, Deleuze and Guattari, and Irigaray among others the re-emergence of place from the late 19th Century into philosophy and contemporary life.

Casey, E.S. 1997. The Fate of Place

There have been a number of studies relating the quality of neighbourhood environments to positive health benefits in older people. The paper seeks to understand the underlying mechanisms through which neighbourhood environments have on people’s health in later life.

Main research methods used

SUMMARIES OF KEY READINGS: THE FATE OF PLACE The Fate of Place: A Philosophical History

Sugiyama, T. & Ward-‐Thompson, C. (2007) Older people’s health, outdoor activity and supportiveness of neighbourhood environments.

1. Relph, Edward, 1976. Place and Placelessness. London: Pion. 2. Relph, Edward, 1996. Reflections on Place and Placelessness. Environmental and Architectural Phenomenology Newsletter, 7, 3, 14-‐16 [special issue on the twentieth anniversary of the publication of Place and Placelessness; includes commentaries by Margaret Boschetti, Louise Million, Douglas Patterson, and David Seamon]. 3. Relph, Edward, 2000. Author’s Response: Place and Placelessness in a New Context [Classics in Human Geography Revisited, Place and Placelessness]. Progress in Human Geography, 24 (4):613-‐619 [includes commentaries by John R. Gold and Mathis Stock]. 4. Seamon, David, 2000. A Way of Seeing People and Place: Phenomenology in Environment-‐ Behavior Research. In S. Wapner, J. Demick, T. Yamamoto, and H. Minami, eds., Theoretical Perspectives in Environment-‐Behavior Research (pp. 157-‐78). New York: Plenum.

As Relph emphasizes at the start of the book, his research method is “a phenomenology of place” (Relph 1976, pp. 4-‐7). Phenomenology is the interpretive study of human experience. The aim is to examine and to clarify human situations, events, meanings, and experiences as they are known in everyday life but typically unnoticed beneath the level of conscious awareness (Seamon 2000). One of phenomenology’s great strengths is seeking out what is obvious but unquestioned and thereby questioning it. To uncover the obvious, we must step back from any taken-‐for-‐granted attitudes and assumptions, whether in the realm of everyday experience or in the realm of conceptual perspectives and explanations, including the scientific. In Place and Placelessness, Relph steps back to call into question the taken-‐for-‐granted nature of place and its significance as an inescapable dimension of human life and experience.

2. Relph argues that, without a thorough understanding of place as it has human significance, one would find it difficult to describe why a particular place is special and impossible to know how to repair existing places in need of mending -‐ a central aim of phenomenological research. In examining place in depth, Relph focuses on people’s identity of and with place. By the identity of a place, he refers to its “persistent sameness and unity which allows that [place] to be differentiated from others” (Relph 1976, p. 45), based on: -‐ the place’s physical setting, its activities situations and events, and the individual and group meanings created through people’s experiences and intentions in regard to that place. Identity with place, Relph defines through the concept of insideness—the degree and intensity of attachment, involvement, and concern that a person or group has for a particular place. Relph’s elucidation of insideness is perhaps his most original contribution to the understanding of place because he effectively demonstrates that the concept is the core lived structure of place as it has meaning in human life. If a person feels inside a place, he or she is here rather than there, safe rather than threatened, enclosed rather than exposed, at ease rather than stressed. Relph suggests that the more profoundly inside a place a person feels, the stronger will be his or her identity with that place. The opposite mode of place experience, Relph calls outsideness – when a person is alienated or separate from a place, e.g. feeling home-‐sick.

Bibliography:

The crucial phenomenological point is that outsideness and insideness constitute a fundamental dialectic in human life and that, through varying combinations and intensities of outsideness and insideness, different places take on different identities for different individuals and groups, and human experience takes on different qualities of feeling, meaning, ambience, and action. 3. For Relph, of places generated consciously. Relph argues that, in our modern era, an authentic sense of place is being gradually overshadowed by a less authentic attitude that he called placelessness: “the casual eradication of distinctive places and the making of standardized landscapes that results from an insensitivity to the significance of place” (Relph 1976, Preface). Relph suggests that, in general, placelessness arises from kitsch—an uncritical acceptance of mass values, or technique—the overriding concern with efficiency as an end in itself. The overall impact of these two forces, which manifest through such processes as mass communication, mass culture, and central authority, is the “undermining of place for both individuals and cultures, and the casual replacement of the diverse and significant places of the world with anonymous spaces and exchangeable environments” (Relph 1976, p. 143).

1. Relph begins Place and Placelessness with a review of space and its relationship to place. He argues that space is not a void or an isometric plane or a kind of container that holds places. Instead, he contends that, to study the relationship of space to a more experientially-‐ based understanding of place, space too must be explored in terms of how people experience it. Although Relph says that there are countless types and intensities of spatial experience, he delineates a heuristic structure grounded in “a continuum that has direct experience at one extreme and abstract thought at the other…” (Relph 1976, p. 9). On one hand, he identifies modes of spatial experience that are instinctive, bodily, and immediate—for example, what he calls pragmatic space, perceptual space, and existential space. On the other hand, he identifies modes of spatial experience that are more cerebral, ideal, and intangible—for example, planning space, cognitive space, and abstract space. Relph describes how each of these modes of space-‐ as-‐experienced has varying intensities in everyday life. For Relph, the unique quality of place is its power to order and to focus human intentions, experiences, and actions spatially. Relph thus sees space and place as dialectically structured in human environmental experience, since our understanding of space is related to the places we inhabit, which in turn derive meaning from their spatial context. (will be explained further in Insideness/Outsideness part)

(Synopsis by Martin Radev)

The main disadvantages and concerns of affective computing are that it can mislead people and in its infancy the technology will also have poorly applied affect which will be worse than no affect at all. Further concerns are that it cannot be unpredictable and break down due to emotions, human privacy could be infringed upon and how is symmetry of communication

DESIGN REVIEW WORKSHOP: PARTICIPANT COMMENTS Mobility Mood and Place Design Review Workshop, Manchester, 18th Feb. 2014

Feedback booklet

Participants’ feedback on the 6 presentations

Overall assessment (comment box) • Fascinating reference to the amount of green space and fragmentation of the same • Interesting comparison of older generation and industrial heritage • Great idea of making Castlefield the intersection of 2 green routes through the city – make sure you can walk and cycle separately Exciting to use the high level route Integrating facilities of use to older people – good Emphasised overall greenspace facilities, perhaps emphasis (for older people) should be on local spaces, including the canals / wildlife – for tranquillity - what will be the impact of ‘heat recovery’ on the canals flora and fauna? • Use of the viaduct is an exciting idea • Good attention to transport except perhaps car use. I go to Castlefield by car or bike usually and it is poor for cycling now. • Older people framed as a problem • Younger more adaptable generations • Transport – walking speeds – access to buses – 70% of over 70s have a driving license – electric vehicle / car club [in the Q&A session, the participant noted that there was a focus on walking and public transport in the design while other modes of transport used by older people, namely, the car were not mentioned. This participant also commented on the potential desirability of accommodating electric vehicles and car clubs in the design]

The following comments are taken from the 5 participant feedback booklets handed in by the older participants (1 older participant did not return their booklet) and fieldnotes taken during the Q&A sessions that followed each presentation. Not being an ‘older participant’, the feedback from the council officer has not been included here.

Comments from the feedback booklets presented here are largely verbatim quotes (hence references to the ‘elderly’ rather than older people, ‘stroke sufferers’ rather than stroke survivors etc.). Participants sometimes just noted features of the design proposals - these might be the features that most captured their interest. 3 of the participants used the feedback booklets rather sparingly providing just the odd comment or word about each design. Sometimes, comments in the feedback booklets were about the content / style of the presentations - these comments are included here for reference. Text in red italics – verbatim quotes where the meaning is unclear or where it’s unclear which part of the proposal is being discussed

Presentation 1

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How long will the greenway be? How will access down to ground level from the greenway be organised – lift, ramp, stairs? Is the housing proposed for the site just apartments, no houses proposed? Will they be mainly 2 bed apartments? How far away from the site is the doctor’s surgery that was mentioned in the presentation? Who are the intended occupiers of the housing? Within the presentation, older people seem to be presented as a problem [participant was unhappy with this] There might be missed opportunities to attract in older people already living within the general area of the site if the housing proposed is priced for a wealthy market Focus on walking and public transport, nothing about travel by car Lots of older people have driving licenses but perhaps they want to alter their travel behaviour – there seems to be no accommodation in the proposal for people who want to alter their travel behaviour, e.g. nothing about opportunities for car clubs. The analysis of greenspace included at the start of the presentation focused just on one type of green space, but what about places like canals and other forms of greenspace? For older people, it’s local greenspace which is important, more so than being able to walk through the city through a chain of connected greenspaces Concerned about impact on the canal and its wildlife of the proposal to use the canal as a heat sink Concerned about lack of amenities with the proposed housing Is there a cycle route? There are existing proposals to redevelop Deansgate station, have these been reviewed? What’s the size of the site’s current population? Who owns the viaduct? Where in the site will the theatre go? Would be useful to see how the proposals for the site relate to the site’s surroundings

Overall assessment (comment box) • Very elderly centred - the memory museum, cook school and visual arts centre all cater for various aspects of ageing and the possible challenges caused, yet they are also inclusive and have general appeal. Exciting / fascinating that the focus was on evolving concepts to deal with dementia Interesting that site is relatively unchanged through history – providing tranquillity Big ideas – take some assimilating! Fascinating though The urban grain? Identification with surfaces and fabric Memory museum / green corridor – link to the concept of journey Food cycle - creativity

•

Where on the greenline would the cookery school go? It’s good that the proposal is starting to think about what kind of things might help people with dementia. Songs and music can be triggers for memories for people with dementia. Like how the cookery school is about bringing together younger and older people Like how all the ideas in the proposal are inclusive Concept of the greenline, journeys and memories are all good but there is an issue with how well they are all connected up The site might not be the best place for a facility for people with dementia – how can the site be made safe for these people? Greenline – could make it a safe place for people with cognitive issues

Presentation 3 Fieldnotes • • •

Is the housing specifically for people who have had a stroke? People might have a dual diagnosis and so experience more than one issue It would be good to include an outdoor gym – it could be intergenerational – could also include a garden Good research lies behind the proposal – thought about how the design might impact on different people in different ways and like how the design thinks about links between different uses and the wider benefits of certain uses – e.g. proposed café would create jobs

Presentation 4 Fieldnotes • • • • • • • •

Feedback booklet

Fieldnotes

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Elaborate more on the housing proposals – what will be there? How will the activity centre relate to the housing? Like the idea of a defensive wall in the design Stroke recovery centre - good idea Recovery centre would be good for the health economy Like the idea of protected space – that’s important Unclear about what physical interventions would take place on the seasonal walks – what is being proposed ‘on the ground’. Could a stroke survivors club be set up at the recovery centre and the club could make use of the walks? Unclear how different parts of the design link together - the seasonal walks, the recovery centre, the activity centre Would the activity centre be open to the public? Need to have some kind of monitoring system in place once the scheme is built to determine which aspects of the design work and which might need to be revised What’s the link between the various proposed bridges and the seasonal walks – will you use one bridge at one time of the year and another bridge at another time of the year? Will the bridges be permanent structures at the site?

What occupies the space between the proposed care home and the existing chapel? Might be overestimating the capacity of the residents of the care home Who would move into the healthy living housing? The idea of staged levels of housing – healthy living units placed next to a care home - concerned about the potential impact this layout might have on residents’ mood Concerned about the impact on the site’s tranquillity of the proposed scale of development – 4 blocks of 7 storey flats plus a care home Would have liked more exploration of what it means to have had a stroke or to have dementia – it didn’t come through in the presentation how the design links to / responds to either of these experiences There seems to be an over provision of flats in the city centre in Manchester – why couldn’t older people just move into one of these existing units? 7 storey blocks of flats for older people “rings alarm bells” – what happens if the lift breaks down? Concerns about the possibility of the lift breaking down might deter older people from moving into a 7 storey block What’s your definition of healthy older people? Will these healthy older people be included at the site as

Overall assessment • Very interesting research on the rehab centre • Vertical greenhouse lovely and mixed use learning / activity centre good. • Involving the healthy elderly as part time tutors - interesting • Looping paths for those with dementia good • Activities on the water too? Kayaking? • Interesting to have explored the implications of stroke. • Useful to have examples – e.g. defensive wall • Interesting – obviously very different to morning presentations • I do like the fact that it explicitly sets out not to create an elders’ ghetto • Well planned and detailed • Thorough research • Very inclusive • Stroke recovery centre – protected space • Seasonal walks – activity centre

Addressing needs / interests of older people (comment box) • Scale much more human and I feel much more drawn towards it. Greenline with these focal points and allowing tranquillity elsewhere felt much better to me. The 3 focal points were fabulously chosen for older people. I love all 3, it made me a bit tearful. • Focus seemed very much on dementia. Maybe could have included some statistics, hopefully not all of us will suffer, but useful to do that. • Suggest that the design should try to appeal to all the senses – smell, colour, movement etc. • Public art aids orientation / sense of location • Need to take account of safety / issues with good lighting / unrestricted views / overlooking public space • I was involved with setting up an intergenerational cooking group in Salford. Over a few years they were quite successful but not necessarily in the way originally intended.

Presentation 2

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Feedback booklet

Notes on the presentation • Presentation could have used images e.g. from the Manifesto to illustrate ideas …excite the viewer. • Presentation could have highlighted key issues more e.g. integrating facilities within housing e.g. strengthen corners - this came out only in the questions afterwards. • If the model had been on an OS base with north point it would have been more legible • Excellent booklets

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People who live at the site will be more likely to be stimulated by memories of the Hacienda rather than by memories of industrial decline. Interesting to see how little the site has changed over the years – supports the idea of tranquillity – but is there a tension between retaining this sense of tranquillity and the goal of bringing the city into the site (an aim mentioned when explaining the memory museum). Items to include on the greenline – public art, it would be a problem if it became “a dementia enclave”, need to appeal to all the sense – flowers, smell, touch etc., once a decent sized path is provided there are space constraints which will restrict the type of things that can be added, visited a garden where lines of poetry had been included – this was lovely – could this approach be taken on the greenline? The various nodes on the greenline are great Issue of safety and security at the greenline – you want enough people to use it so that it feels safe but not so many that everything becomes trampled. If you were on the greenline and it’s a gloomy day you might feel quite vulnerable

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Addressing needs / interests of older people (comment box) • Facilities and walking distances all catered for and well thought out but the greenway linking to the rest of the city was the best ‘food for the soul’ – rather than just technical needs. The greenway connected city encourages a slower pace too which is great. • Tried to tie the site with the surrounding area including transport links • Not sure of the economics of a small theatre – perhaps this building could also be a cinema / local performance space? • Need to investigate peripatetic services – doctor, dentist, chiropodist etc. flexible space needed. • Are the needs of older people that much different to those of younger people? • Good reference to accessibility of amenities

Fieldnotes • • • • • • • •

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The Qs asked and comments made in the Q&A sessions might point to the design / scheme features that most captured the participants’ interest.

Addressing needs / interests of older people • Concentration on the stroke rehab centre and linking to the activity centre (shared with the public) was interesting. It made things more specific in some ways. The use of this part of the site was very good and met some concerns of older people well (and others). Less holistic of big site but that’s not necessarily a problem. Useful to have research / rehabilitation in the same place Good to recognise variety of impairments as a result of a stroke Good to have local open space / activity provision Good to improve connectivity with bridges over the canal - these would have to accommodate boats Nice touch to think about seasonal walks Good to link items e.g. allotments – cooking – jobs for older people Vertical gardens – issue of accessibility? Interesting idea that separation can mean protection Like vertical gardening idea Like socialising between age groups Caters for a variety of illnesses and / or people with disabilities

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There is a need for computers with a range of affective abilities, just as there are a range of organisms with varying abilities in nature, as it would not be practical or useful if all technologies had affect. An example of the research carried out in the MIT on Affective Computing would be ‘a computer with the ability to pinpoint exactly what frustrates the user the most and see just how much it frustrates them by coupling affective pattern recognition with wearable sensing’. (Picard, 1997, Page 250) This is a vast improvement in technology as computers today are far from being human-centred systems; ‘they cannot even see if they have upset there most valuable customer’. (Picard, 1997, Page 248) By recognising and expressing affect, technology could begin to embrace a more positive human- computer interaction for the betterment of both parties (human satisfaction and happiness coupled with the advancement of intelligent machines). The research of Rosalind Picard and others at the MIT has contributed to: ‘(1) Designing new ways for people to communicate affective-cognitive states, especially through creation of novel wearable sensors and new machine learning algorithms that jointly analyze multimodal channels of information; (2) Creating new techniques to assess frustration, stress, and mood indirectly, through natural interaction and conversation; (3) Showing how computers can be more emotionally intelligent, especially responding to a person’s frustration in a way that reduces negative feelings; (4) Inventing personal technologies for improving self-awareness of affective state and its selective communication to others; (5) Increasing understanding of how affect influences personal health; and (6) Pioneering studies examining ethical issues in affective computing.’ (Affective Computing Website) Examples of projects carried out at the MIT on this topic can be found at: http://affect.media.mit.edu/ projects.php An excellent TED talk by Rosalind Picard on emotion technology can also be found at: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=ujxriwApPP4

SUMMARIES OF KEY READINGS: A VIEW OF THE CITY Lynch, K. (1960) The Image of the City The preface opens with this sentence -‐ “This book is about the look of cities and whether this look is of any importance, and whether it can be changed.” Through a series of investigative techniques, the author tries to identify what people find important and why. These investigations took place in three American cities, that of Boston, Jersey City and Los Angeles. A relatively small group of people in each city were asked to sketch the city centres ‘as if you were making a rapid description of the city to a stranger, covering all the main features’. They were also asked a few questions on how to detail a descriptive path and emotional attachment to certain places. With Boston, people identified its historical flavour, with distinct districts but confusing paths. With the exception of Boston common, people felt it lacked open spaces. With Jersey City, people remarked that it was undifferentiated with similar streets. The most striking feature of the city wasn’t even in the city at all – that of the view of Manhattan in the distance. Los Angeles suffers the same undifferentiated streets due to its gridiron layout but is much denser in comparison. Some of the most memorable parts were places with open spaces such as Pershing Square and the plaza at the entrance to Olvera Street. With the data gathered, common themes were identified such as the emotional power of a panorama or the pleasure by which people spoke of water and vegetation in the urban context. The physical scene symbolising the passage of time was also spoken of in all cases. When analysing the city image, a number of elements were used to describe this. Paths – the channels by which the observer moves through the city; edges – not considered paths by the observer but function as a means of differentiating related regions from one another; districts – areas of the city which have an identifiable internal character which can also be referenced externally; nodes – strategic point within the city where paths coincide or a concentration of usage occurs; landmarks – external points of reference, either man-‐made or natural. In identifying paths, concentration of special use or activity would give the observers prominence in their mental images, as well as building facades. Extremes in path width also strengthened images. Certain features gave continuity to a path such as planting and building typology. People tended to think of paths in terms of destinations and origin points i.e. where the paths come from and where they were going. Edges play an important role in the imageability of the city, especially Boston with its peninsular form in to the Charles River and the views back towards the city. With Jersey City, this water edge was also strong but for different reasons. Here the waterfront area was considered a no go area, bounded by barbed wire and dumping grounds. In Los Angeles, the idea of path as edge comes in to play with the freeways acting as the defining features. The districts as images were defined by such diverse features as class, symbols, texture, surface, topography, use and activity. Beacon Hill in Boston was noted for its steep narrow streets, old brick houses, intimate scale and upper-‐class feel. In Jersey City, the regions were predominantly defined by class and ethnicity. For Los Angeles, the financial area and the Civic Center were cited as being districts of some note.

was the most sharply described area by the observers in Los Angeles. In the case of Jersey City, Journal Square acts as a node where bus and car transfers coincide with a concentration of shops. In Boston, South Station occupies this role where rail, subway and intercity traveller make their connections, not to mention the building itself in relation to Dewey Square which reinforces the space as one of importance. Landmarks are effective if they are simple in form and contrast with their background. In Los Angeles, the special prominence of ‘little gray lady’ on 7th street, an old 2 storey wooden building set 10 feet from the building back from the street is in stark contrast to its tall surroundings. The city hall building is unique in the city and forms a landmark on this basis alone. The examples detailed so far are those which the observers noted from their mental images of the city, but there were still large areas of the city that were not mentioned. In chapter four, Lynch outlines a number of strategies for designing elements, drawn on the research and findings from the 3 city groups study, which will make them more identifiable. In designing paths, it is important to emphasise the imageability of the environment. Differentiating paths from one another by various means (spacial quality, textures, planting) will give continuity to them. It is felt that the form of the path should be straight with unambiguous curves which have a tendency to confuse. Strong termini in a path should emphasise a clear direction of movement. The kinaesthetic quality of the path was found to be important which can be emphasised by landmarks as the observer navigates towards their goal. Naming, numbering, gradiating space and differentiation along the path can help to provide continuity along its length. With edges, there also has to be a continuity of form along its length, forming a strong contrast which will grab the attention of the observer. If the edge is not continuous, then strong termini are to be employed to create a sense of completion to its character. As mentioned previously, landmarks should be contrasting against their background. Importantly, they do not have to be large, but their location is the crucial thing. It has to be seen. Over an extended range, this becomes even more powerful. When grouped together, they can provide directional tool for the observer as they move relative to one another such as with the dome and campanili in Florence. As far as nodes are concerned, a closed boundary will enhance definition. If a path coincides with the node, then it is further enhanced. This connection must be visible to be effective in that the traveller knows how to enter the node and go beyond. Districts are generally homogenous in their character such as the buildings within them or spacial qualities such as street widths. Final consideration should be given to form qualities. Lynch lists them as singularity, form simplicity, continuity, dominance, clarity of joint, directional differentiating, visual scope, motion awareness, time series and names and meanings. These qualities do not work in isolation and combinations of each of these qualities will lead to unforgettable regions.

The principal node identified in Los Angeles was that of Pershing Square, an area of immaculate lawn surrounded by banana trees, ringed by the buildings of downtown and popular with the elderly sitting on the stone wall surround. With concentration of activity, planting and sense of space, this

SUMMARIES OF KEY READINGS: WHAT MAKES A CITY AGE - FRIENDLY? What makes a city age-friendly? London’s contribution to the World Health Organization’s Age-friendly Cities Project

The London Age-friendly Cities report aims to use research as a means of influencing change, which wil produce practical benefits for older people.

The Age-friendly Cities project highlights the importance of community centres where people can meet with others of their own age. : ‘While cities can be disabling and threatening at any age . . . the associThirty-three cities world-wide are apart of the project. ated risks increase with age. The key point is that at This report presents the research from the Institute of 75 or 85 people may feel an even greater sense of Gerontology, King’s College London and of the Ipsos being trapped or disadvantaged by urban decay, and MORI Social Research Institute on what that this may limit their ability to maintain a sense of makes a city age-friendly. self-identity.‘ (Newman, 2003)

Suggested improvements. The key suggestions for improvement are: - provision of door-to-door community transport - provision of adequate support for people living in their own homes - provision of plentiful, clean public toilet facilities - recognition of the importance of community centres - better consultation with older people - a more visible community police presence - the regular provision of information Objectives The need for positive relations between generations - more ‘joined-up’ council services was a key factor identified by older people in the curFor the World Health Organization (WHO): to identify rent study. As the London study shows, younger and Summary and policy recommendations concrete indicators of an age-friendly city and produce older generations are not meeting, either in public or a practical guide for advocacy, community development in private, and differences of age - Involving older people in the design of services which and policy change to make urban communities are often cross-hatched with differences of culture affect them and in local decision-making age-friendly. and ethnicity. - Enabling older people to stay in their own homes - an accessible local environment in which For participating cities: to increase awareness of local The London research people can get out and about needs, gaps and good ideas for improvement in order to stimulate development of more agefriendly urban Boroughs of WalthamForest and Newham are the fo- Things that could improve accessibility are: settings. cus of the London research. - affordable and well-run public transport An age-friendly city: - accessible transport for those with mobility problems Strengths. The major strengths of the area in terms of e.g. dial-a-ride schemes or door-to-door community bus - recognises the great diversity among older persons being ‘age-friendly’ are: services - promotes their inclusion in all areas of community life - community centres which provide social activities - well maintained pavements so people do not fear for older people. - respects their decisions and lifestyle choice, and falling over, and low kerbs with wheelchair ramps - anticipates and responds flexibly to ageing-related - good public transport. - places to sit down and rest needs and preferences. - good housing provision - public toilets so that older people affected by incontinence are not forced to stay at home - a safe physical environment Historically speaking, generations have often - safe, well-lit streets with a good police presence become separated, either by design or by Barriers. The major barriers to the area being ‘age- - planning redevelopments with older people in mind. population movement. ‘So far as many older people friendly’ are: have lived in the same place for most of their lives and - the behaviour of the general public have xperienced rapid change. Older people can act as - fear of crime a reference point for stability and continuity within such - lack of information about opportunities to lead urban environments.‘(Davis, 2002; ODPM, 2006) healthy, active lives - lack of help in the home (community care) - lack of public toilets

Design Report_ Volume 1

Edinburgh Research 147

D M NT A NT RV W

TROK URV VOR NT RV W UMMARY

UMMARY

EDGM001

Being in the place shown in image A would make the participant feel: • Pleasant – pleasant street, pleasant properties, pleasant people, it looks like a nice neighbourhood

The home Aspects of the home favoured • Situation and outlook – lovely views over the shared private gardens • Accommodation is good – size, number of rooms, spacious • Shared gardens – lovely, spend time in them in the day and evening in good weather, meet up with neighbours for an evening drink in the gardens in the summer Good neighbours that the participant knows – it’s a sociable street, the makeup of the street has changed – used to be older couples and singles now there are lots of families – like seeing and hearing the children playing in the shared gardens • Comfortable • Nice light – south facing property •

Aspects of home disliked • Top for flat – lots of stairs to climb (but have a stair lift for carrying bags / luggage etc.) – but without being on the top floor wouldn’t get the views Maintenance – old property No insulation – costs a lot to heat

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Home makes the participant feel In the morning home makes the participant feel • ‘absolutely fine’ – very comfortable, the accommodation is good, plenty of rooms giving enough space for two people to move around without feeling on top of one another (it’s a 2 person household), the rooms aren’t too big though, not overwhelmed by them

•

Activities in image A • Say hello to people on the street, pass the time of day

First impressions • Image C – detached or semi-detached house with a nice hedge • Image D – part of a row of houses Preferred image: C Aspects of image C favoured • Open • Interesting • Nicely kept gardens Security features: no objections to security features being included with a property, depends on the nature of the area as to whether they are needed, not felt the need for them in the participant’s own neighbourhood but there is a neighbourhood watch group Nothing disliked about image C Being in the place shown in image C would make the participant feel • Pleasant – there might be neighbours to talk to, looks like a place where people spend time keeping it well maintained

In the afternoon, home makes the participant feel • Not always in in the afternoon – might be out playing golf In the evening, home makes the participant feel • Very nice – it’s quiet, no traffic goes past Activities in the home • Read • Watch TV • Paint • Listen to music • Go out for walks around the local area, enjoy walking, Edinburgh is a very walkable city – no mobility problems so happy to walk around the city Home improvements • There’s no insulation of any type anywhere in the home – makes it very expensive to heat and the rooms are large so this further adds to heating costs (but participant doesn’t heat only one or two rooms and just lives in those – heats the whole home) Images Image A and B Preferred image: A

Stroke Survivors Focus Group, 20.03.14

Activities in image C • Light gardening • Would be room for children to play – play ball games

Images E and F Preferred image: E (‘not difficult!’ – image F is covered in litter)

Identified as not important • homes are close to services and facilities – things don’t need to be on your street, participant doesn’t mind walking 15, 20 minutes to access services and amenities, but notes that he doesn’t have any mobility problems public toilets – wouldn’t want these within a neighbourhood pedestrian crossings – don’t need these in a neighbourhood

• •

KB Ok, we don’t all have to agree, silence, ok

KB I suppose we could go back to we all named a favourite place in Scotland when we started maybe there are particular things about that that you like? Inverness was mentioned twice what is it what are the aspects of Inverness or the wider areas of inverness that ESSF005 There are some parts that are quite picturesque and then again you can be down at the water at Findhorne and it’s completely different there from being in Inverness and the towns like Nairn and these places along the coast I think up at Findhorne it’s quite relaxing I think just to even stand and watch water coming in it seems ridiculous but it is calming

ESSF003 Yeah museums do that very well don’t they?

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

They still give you the fright of your damn life when you touch a picture and out they run (laughs)

ESSF004 (laughs)

ESSF002 I quite liked joining the gym I joined a gym and it was quite funny because when looking at the price for 65 and over, I asked well how much it was to join and they said ‘oh that’s the price’ and then it said POL so I said what does that mean and they said ‘prime of life’ (laughs)

problem you know being on the flat you know it does affect you mood because it’s very difficult to climb

ESSF004 Aye ESSF005 And she used to go to dancing three times a week and she had the nerve to say once when I said why don’t you go with the group that you used to go with before ‘oh they’re all oldies’ (laughs)

ESSF004 I became very much a very much a well not a recluse but I don’t want, I don’t have any interest really in going away really I keep putting off going to the Australia thing and even a few weeks a few days ago a few weeks ago had a phone call some person telling me that there was someone hacking into my phone hacking into my laptop and I started to panic and I still although my vision’s fine it’s like a bit double vision and trying to read the screen and they kept saying to me well if your press this button and we’ll sort it and I couldn’t see it she said dot ww dot I couldn’t find the dot and I was getting upset so eventually they rang off and they’ve tormented me since I’ve reported it but I just gave my laptop away I don’t want any interference I gave it to my grandson I don’t I just this fear

ESSF002 Sometimes con artists tell you ESSF004 13

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF003 Yes that’s right I mean I had

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF005 Yes I took out the bath and got a shower unit put in what a difference because I did struggle and I was always frightened I was going to slip or sit astride the side of the bath or something but what a difference that’s made

ESSF004 That’s why that’s what I said you feel guilty and I don’t need to feel guilty thanks very much ESSF005 And she keeps sending me emails I bought it myself so I can use it as little or as often as I like ESSF004 Well after that I just gave it to my grandson he was quite happy about that but I don’t, I don’t need it I don’t know what makes me feel guilty about not using something

ESSF005 Well I don’t want to move from where I live I know it’s not going to be without getting adaptations to other things I’ll need to get a stair lift at some time and I’ve now got a list for gardeners to come in and help in the garden so that I can still do a bit of gardening but they’ll do the heavy stuff ESSF004 The heavy stuff, aye ESSF005 You just have to keep adapting to some of what you can and can’t do

ESSF003 Yes I mean all these things you know are becoming available it’s just getting the initial contacts and you know there are so many things to do and for me it’s 2 years you know there’s so many things to do in the first and you know where do you go for that it’s available but who do you contact or ESSF005 If you’ve got a younger member of the family an 8 year old (laughs) he can just come in and do such and such because when I bought this iPad the guy in the place said if you’ve any problems just come in and we’ll sort it out and I says no I’ve got an 8 year old friend who’ll (laughs) KB So I suppose maybe certain types of technology maybe have a slightly negative affect on mood but one of the things you all sort of seemed to be suggesting was that greenspaces and nature they all seemed to have kind of positive affects on mood? What is it then about those kinds of environments that have a positive affect on mood, why do they put you in a positive mood?

KB Ok, so nothing more beautiful than nature, is does everyone else have views similar to that what are everyone else’s thoughts?

KB And what is it about those places then that you like moving slightly away then from perhaps the things that you dislike about those places but what is it that attracts you to go to a cinema perhaps or a theatre?

ESSF003 Well no I think space for me is well I mean I’ve always liked you know say you go to a museum you go to a cathedral you visit sites ancient sites you know I think I’ve always been interested in that anyway

ESSF004 Whatever the act is that’s on I suppose (laughs) what I go to see, I went to see Susan Boyle went to see the Steamy things that I my daughter and I we like together

ESSF005 So was I ESSF003 But space in a mobility sense is something different you know places there are certain places I wouldn’t go into some of the pubs on the high street because there just isn’t enough space to you know to move about but I didn’t go to a concert that my nephew was involved in because I thought oh

ESSF005 I went to see Warhorse that was terrific , really good, and the one with Lion King in the Playhouse that was superb

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF003 Yeah I think stand back and take a sort of bird’s eye view you know I mean I’ve always liked space always and colour always liked that nothing to do with mobility but going down the list we seem to be getting down to more you know specifics you know and the and the maybe the difficulties of having a mobility problem you know the light switches the handrails and walk-in shower you know these are specific to mobility problems I think but some of it is personality or preferences

ESSF004 I’m a watching crows nesting at the moment I’ve got crows nesting across the road but out the back there’s magpies and my friend puts stuff down on the window for them so they that’s fascinating to watch them coming down and they’re having a wee fight you know two of them are making this nest that’s quite simple pleasures isn’t it I mean my God! (laughs)

ESSF004 Yeah, yeah

ESSF003 No that was what I was meaning I’ve always liked the feeling of space

ESSF004 Sorry Alice I was sorry CWT Alice you mentioned space liking space?

ESSF005 And you think oh my goodness me, half the people the youngsters will be deaf by the time they’re 30 I think ESSF004 (laughs) KB So, I mean do you want to add any more to the list or do you want to start talking about the list now? ESSF004 About the what sorry 10

ESSF004 That’s the Festival aye

All Yes

ESSF005 Yeah I think I would too if that was happening (laughs)

CWT Sorry I’ve forgotten your name

ESSF003 The Festival Theatre’s good for mobility problems

KB Do you actually like being in cinemas and pubs and things if they do have handrails and they do have space then?

ESSF004 Well the beauty of it the beauty of it and the calmness, there’s nothing more beautiful than nature

ESSF002 I think there are certainly some adaptions that we find useful as we get older and more unable to do certain things even the levels of the switches and things in the house switch lights I think perhaps more at shoulder level rather than above it just facilitates movement a little bit easier around the house

ESSF004 Much the same very much the same but vicious with the breeding season so I encouraged the cockatiels and things like that rather than magpies

ESSF005 It’s like that as well in the picture houses with the adverts before the film starts they pump up the music

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF005 We went to see Warhorse there and my daughter’s mother in law she’s very disabled so they managed to get us seats near the back of the stalls which was not a place that I would have normally thought was good but it was good that if the person in front which I always end up if there’s a man and a woman comes in it’s always the man that sits in front of me and you’re like this with a sore neck at the end of it but I was concerned about my daughter’s mother in law getting her in and we sat down and then my son in law had agreed with the people that they would let him go in to see his mum because she really does need a lot of help to get into the seat and then she couldn’t come out of there without his help again but fortunately they’ve got a lift so once she’d got down in the lift she got into her chair and she’s got a disabled car as well but you see she loves to go but having all this performance sometimes makes her say well how easy is it going to be for me to get to the place ESSF003 Yeah well the Festival Theatre’s good the Playhouse I actually can’t go to the Playhouse now because the seats they have for disabled access you don’t get any view of the stage it’s actually quite ridiculous to charge money for those for those seats but the Festival Theatre’s good the Usher Hall is very accessible as well, cinemas I personally don’t go to cinemas now because can’t walk down in the dark if there’s no handrails I I just can’t go to cinemas now ESSF005 Well the Odeon’s quite good if you come in in the middle there’s seats to the front and then there’s seats going up but if you get the first row of the ones at the back there’s a rail right along and you can grab on to that and get into the front row there and that’s no problem

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF004 No I would say it’s just after the stroke I can’t remember desiring space before it although I did live where I live but it was essential because I I didn’t want to go out and to go on a bus on my own no no no I couldn’t do it but so when I had the space to go down as I told you to go down the road to the beach I could I felt normal right and if I staggered it didn’t matter you know I felt normal and that certainly helped me so much after my stroke the space but I can’t think of no I was a wee bit of a party girl I don’t think space was on my agenda when I was younger always liked birds but always liked animals and as I say spiders (laughs) again we used to have this great big one in the house in Australia it’s called a Kingsman and they look they’re that well they’re bigger than that even but they don’t hurt you ESSF005 Well I still wouldn’t want one in the house ESSF004

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

that was quite that was quite positive, as I say it’s compromise you know you can’t expect an old hotel in Oban you know it’s not on the flat that’s the point that they should say you know if you know that before you go likewise with the Waverley station if you know all the restrictions that they’ve imposed in I don’t know when it came in but if you know about that you can plan for it you can prepare for it and frankly you know my access to Waverley station I think I’ll go by bus in future frankly you know at the moment it’s it’s terrible the changes

So it’s basically the same as we were doing before but this time talking about things that perhaps have a more negative affect on how we feel and on our mood so again it’s places and aspects of places that perhaps make us feel unhappy, isolated, maybe they’re just not they just don’t feel like nice places to be in so exactly the same as before if we want to build up a list and then we can have a discussion about some of the items on the list and find out why those particular places or aspects of places have this affect on us, ok?

ESSF002 According to disability law now public places are supposed to provide access

ESSF002 Well I’m allergic to perfume so whenever I go anywhere and s

ESSF003 Yes the access to Waverley is now New Street that’s the except for fifty taxis ESSF002 All buildings or shops and things it’s a legal requirement ESSF004 All we want to do is feel as normal as possible without the hassle and if if things are made what we’re talking about access here and we’ll feel normal we don’t have to ‘oh that lady needs help’ we would rather not bother having to have help if we could manage without it and that’s common sense whoever’s designing anything should just think put themselves back and think right how would a person feel normal without everybody ESSF005 You should let women design all the things that’s what I say bus shelters as well they’ve seats that are really high that you can’t even sit on because they’re so high you know the strip along and I would say it must have been a man that designed that (laughs) KB On that bombshell (laughs) do you want to take a little break for 15 mins or so and then come back and we have spoken quite a bit already about negative types of things but then (laugh) come back and have another dedicated half an hour on it (laughs) yes so 15 mins or so for a break if that’s ok with people? BREAK

ESSF003 Yeah it’s also I think it’s also learning you mentioned you went on a cruise and I went up to with my sister and brother in law to Oban recently looking forward to a nice weekend and my sister did say to them we need something on the ground level my sister’s got mobility problems ‘oh no, that’s ok’ we got there it wasn’t their fault we got there it was on the ground level but it was all on different

KB Ok then is everyone ok to sort of reconvene and begin discussing?

ESSF005 Levels

ESSF003 Try to keep positive

ESSF003 You know three steps here 6 steps here, no shower in the bathroom my sister wrote a very good letter not complaining she said we enjoyed it the food was good the staff were accommodating everything like that but really in future you should say you know that this is not suitable for and they refunded my my yes so they were very good I think it was also the fact that she wrote a good letter she didn’t go in you know aggressively saying this is awful you’re staff or terrible or anything like that so that was good but the place I was up in at Nairn last week I mean I’d been there before and I know it’s on the flat you know this particular hotel it’s on the flat there’s space it does I knew that it was suitable and

KB Well we’re now switching we’re going to the negative things (laughs) so I was just thinking we’ve started now to speak about more positive things but yes (laughs)

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

KB Talking about all the different things we’ve been listing we have begun to sort of talk about a number of things as we’ve been mentioning them but I thought it might be a really interesting topic to talk about are these the same things are these the things that you’d have identified when you were younger or perhaps are these things that have only emerged as being things that have a positive affect on your mood as you’ve got older?

ESSF004 No because what age were we when we stopped going to clubs now you can’t go to a pub because you can’t hear what they’re saying (laughs) I mean we stopped going to pubs, my husband was a musician and the only reason we went to pubs and clubs was because he was playing or there was live music and now I can’t hear what anybody is saying you know so, I don’t see any point in going and having a conver-

ESSF004 I haven’t been to the cinema for a long long time but the theatre as I say I like to make a night of it and we go for a Thai meal and it’s a wee quiet restaurant and then across the road but again if your daughter’s with you you’re fine

ESSF005 See that’s the opposite way before see when I used to go I would go to like if it was the front row of the circle so nobody in front of you or anything but now you’ve got to manoeuvre from the back down to the circle without any handrail and that’s when you sort of lose your confidence because sometimes it’s dark when you’re doing it that that really and it’s the same with some of the filmhouses are the same there’s no handrail if there was a handrail in the middle of the steps going down that would keep you level

head or umbrellas and I lived up north of nearer nearer what can I say 10 hours away from Sidney right and it was a wee cowboy town right (laughs) and there was these magpies attacking kids right so (laughs) front page of the wee local paper the policeman goes out with his gun imagine him walking along this wee street with a gun to shoot magpies (laughs) he did and they’d got these big poster and I wish I’d brought it back ‘beware of the magpies’ and put them up every- I’d still love to get a co- get a hold of one of the posters so they would just go for you

ESSF003 I got to recognise one it used to perch on the chimney pot on a building opposite and I was amaz- you know I could I could see it through the window (laughs)

ESSF004 Well I went to [name of theatre] with the kids and I had to come out the height

ESSF004 Aye yeah I panicked I had to come out I was watching Cinderella or something but I haven’t been back since normally I used to when I book for the pantomime I used to book it early so we’re down the the front which was ok but this time I was up and there was people god oh panic and beside me I thought no so I missed out on that

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF004 I feed the seagulls (laughs) I feel guilty but I feed them (laughs) on the beach aye aye, but aye they’re noisy I know but just like you I love to watch the birds

it’s in I think it was in a church hall or something you know will there be my sister said just as well you didn’t come because you wouldn’t have been able to negotiate your way through the seating the chairs this kind of thing so space can take on a different meaning as you you know this feeling of not falling you know

ESSF005

All (Laugh)

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

CWT Do you space was something two of you mentioned right at the beginning is that something that you’ve both always liked or is that something that is only as you’ve got older?

ESSF005 Because you’re looking down and the ESSF004 Aye and there were people too many people near me

ESSF003 I don’t know how to put this but the view from your window you know whether it’s you know you’ve got a garden or you can see interesting buildings how would you I’m trying to think the best way to put that

ESSF003 I I looking at it I wonder you know if you had a 22 23 year old here I wonder if they would come up with the same things because obviously it’s not just mobility but age makes so much difference you know my nephew might like to live where I live because it’s near all the clubs in the in the centre you know would he be so concerned about interesting view garden

ESSF004 You know that the magpies in Australia they’re slightly different they look much the same but during the nesting time they attack people so a lot of people wear you know wear ice cream tubs on their 9

ESSF002 I would prefer silence

ESSF004 (Laughs)

ESSF005 I’ve got quite a small window beside the door in the kitchen and I stand there and watch all the wee tits coming to a tree and picking away at things but magpies they go along the edge of the interwoven fencing bend down and where the spiders webs and all that at each corner have a good wee feast in there and walk along and they look so funny walking along you know on top of the fence

There’s nowhere to hold on to

ESSF004 Space and peace anything non-stressful KB Ok so we’ve spoken a little bit about space as one of the things on the list are there any other items that you want to maybe talk about a little bit more we also spoke about different noises and how some of them can have a positive affect on mood and some of them can have maybe a more negative affect on mood are there any other items on the list that you want to say a little bit more about and how they have a particular affect on how you feel?

KB Ok, does anyone else want to mention any particular places or aspects of places that have a sort of more positive affect on their mood?

ESSF003 That goes back to good noise I don’t mind the wee birds in the morning but when the when the seagulls start in May in June I don’t like that noise (laughs)

ESSF005 Could you not get that put in, I got one put in my shower just so there’s something to

CWT But the noise in the station you were thinking of as something positive or negative?

CWT Ok, thank you, yeah that’s helpful

ESSF005 Were they much bigger than magpies

ESSF004 I like to watch the children, and laughing I like to hear the laughter of kiddies it’s great to hear a nice sound, I’ve got grandkids of my own and they obviously love the beach as well but even going to the swinging park and just listening to them all, you know sit outside and listen I like that

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF002 But modern computers now have voice voice activated so that even if you’re hands you can’t manage an older computer by typing in you can get it get the writing on the screen can be voice activated

ESSF005 Because I like the garden I mean I’ve worked in gardens since before I was married I used to do my mother’s garden and to me if I was ever worried or down about something I would go out to the garden and within half an hour of working in the garden that had lifted, just the fact that you’re out and the birds are sitting beside you and just taking it all in it’s lovely, that’s my best place really, take my bed to the garden (laughs)

ESSF003 Yeah I keep it’s a matter of compromise you know there’s certain you know as I said where I used to live I’d love to be back there but you know to live there, there’d be so many prob- well not problems but more difficult so I keep any time I’m feeling down I say you have to compromise you know acceptance of what the situation is now and, you know you can’t have everything (laughs) everything you want (laughs)

KB So is a type of place you like has a positive affect on mood somewhere where there isn’t disturbance and you’re not being called does that link to the idea of space and not being around crowds and sort of getting away from

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF003 Yeah, yes

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

Well I bought an I-pad for myself and my daughter keeps saying how many times have you used that I’ve sent you emails and you’ve never answered them and I said well I don’t want them

ESSF005 14

ESSF005 I know when you look well if I just like having my garden and I mean there may come a time where I’m more mobile to do the garden but I I like my backdoor tripping in and out as I used to but I still like the idea of having that and I think I would get quite depressed if I had to give that up

ESSF004 No not got that either, it’s a private let I’m in

ESSF003 Yes, yes

ESSF003 I would think that was negative

ESSF004 Yeah

ESSF005 Baths were my favourite thing but I thought well you’ve got to give up something to make sure you’re safer if you’re staying in the house on your own you know you can’t sort of say ring somebody up and say can you come till I have a shower or a bath or whatever

CWT Do you have a grab rail or something?

CWT What about hearing people talking voices that kind of thing?

KB So a mobile library type thing?

ESSF003 Oh yeah that’s a good point (laughs) sorry noise will affect positive conditions noise if it was if it was music not continuous music

ESSF004 Makes you feel part of the world

ESSF004 And they’ll come to your door if you’re reading they’ll bring you books

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

CWT So what makes you feel good is not having the noise or having the noise?

ESSF003 Yeah that can be stimulating noise in the environment again not

KB Ok

ESSF004 Well I’ve not a bath but I’d love a bath

ESSF004 Well I’ve got to do that well but now I’m fine and I can you know I can make sure I’ve got stuff so I can step on to it so I don’t slip and then grab the radiator and get out but I’m not, encouraged to have a shower if you understand there’s always that that fear there I think Christ I’ll need to have a shower (laughs) but I’m not I’m not going to risk it every day

ESSF003 I think this is probably quite individual but you know the noise in a train station you know the train is arriving the train is delayed the other aspects of noise would be yes if you had I mean it’s highly unlikely but if you had machinery that was there giving sort of a repeated noise it’s noise sensitivity I would say

ESSF004 The library I like that

ESSF003 Something I miss is a bath yes I can’t yes getting in and out of a bath is

ESSF004 The shower was I don’t have a walk-in shower but I have a shower but for a long time I had to wait till my daughter came because I was frightened coming out all I needed was a split head or something

It is a con I’ve spoken to Virgin it’s a scam to get you to type maybe your password I don’t know because I never got that far because I couldn’t see it but they’re phoning me 3 or 4 times a day was it you who phoned me? [to Katherine] and I said I wasn’t in (laughs) I’ve already told them I’m dead three times but they still keep calling me but I’m getting it Virgin are sorting it and somebody else is sorting it that I’m not getting any of these calls but that didn’t, I got into a state but I’m quite a cool person but I could feel a panic attack coming on I said I don’t need this any outside interference in my life forget it I don’t want it no so laptops gone I still don’t have a mobile phone I never have and I’m never having one, that’s how I feel maybe it’s a maybe it’s a form of anxiety but I mean where do I go that I need a mobile phone? If I go to the beach I don’t want anybody phoning me up and saying oh [grandson’s] sick just now or the wee man’s just tumbled and broke his nose or something there’s plenty of time for that when I go home and that’s basically if I go shopping or I go there the beach that’s basically the only places I go

ESSF003 It doesn’t really I don’t know if it comes under environment but I mean you were talking about it your phone and laptops and stuff I mean I’ve lost my email address after 12 years of having the same address because I couldn’t after my stroke I the keys I wasn’t pressing the keys properly and I lost that email account now I’ve got a new email account but as soon when I type the way I’m typing in obviously making a mistake and it’s not to do with memory it’s to do with flexibility or coor- I don’t know so I don’t use my email as much now because I don’t want to lose what’s you know lose that email address with all your contacts and stuff like this so nowadays I just say to people please put it in writing and you know which is frustrating and answering the telephone my sister got me a new telephone you know I liked the this one but I couldn’t it was too difficult to use and now I’ve got a hand held set but I can’t write with this hand which causes difficulties which causes and also if I hold it in a certain way you know push some of the buttons or maybe go into mute or something like that but these are negative aspects and it’s quite sad not being able to use you know what might seem modern technology you’re not really computer illiterate or tech illiterate it’s just that it’s become more difficult

then because I kept bumping into the radiators and I’ve broken ribs as well (laughs) that’s why I want space I keep cracking things

CWT Can I can I just come back to you mentioned noise I’m just curious about that and you said but not traffic what kinds of when you’re thinking about noise that makes you feel good what kinds of noise?

KB Right, yeah

KB I thought we’d begin with perhaps a positive place just because I’ve run a focus group before and a couple of people were not pleased with the fact that I began with talking about negative things because they suggested that that put them on a kind of a downward track so I thought we’d start out seeing with positive things and see how we get on

ESSF003

ESSF004 Well we’ve talked about it but I‘ve not talked to my landlord about it, I wouldn’t ask them because I asked for a cooker and my oven wasn’t working and I ended up with a wee thing this size so (laughs) and I’ve been there 9 years and I don’t want to move, I’m scared to ask for too much if you like you know? So I can’t

ESSF003 Yes I mean I moved to sheltered housing because the you know the place I lived in before so many I mean it’s a comprise I actually preferred so many more things about that place you know the space and lots of things but I I just couldn’t have led an active life there or it would have taken too much adaptation to make it liveable so yeah there’s compromise had to give up certain things I appreciated you know in my own home to take on something that really should be should be beneficial to me

ESSF004 Well even when I when I had the computer in the house it caused me stress I felt a) guilt because I wasn’t using it and it was lying there but I don’t want I don’t want it I don’t know why maybe I’ve just gone mad but I just don’t want it if anybody wants to speak to me they can phone me and that’s very few people I get more phone calls from abroad than I get from here I don’t want it this Facebook and Twitter I just don’t understand it, I don’t want that, I just want peace! (laughs)

ESSF005 You don’t want that

All (laugh)

KB Ok, anyone else want to share any comments on maybe their own homes things that make them feel good in their own homes perhaps?

ESSF004 It would need to be right down the whole backstairs it’s a communal stair I don’t know but again I’m not I’m getting over the broken collarbone (laughs)

ESSF004 You should have give me a phone I would have come with you (laughs), where did you go?

ESSF003 I start not with you know just for anyone mobility problems or not I just love museums because it’s got so many aspects you know of space colour light all these you know and that affects my mood positively as it would anyone else’s disability disability but yeah as I said I would consider I’m in quite a good building for you know handrails seating outdoors, interesting view, and as I say the only community silence is yeah we don’t get a lot of outdoor noise you know so many so many things there in the building that I’m in I feel quite positive about and that’s because I think it was designed as sheltered as sheltered housing

ESSF002 I think walk-in showers are quite a nice thing to have and the only think about these things when you become a bit more immobile

ESSF003 I, the place I’m living in at the moment I think it’s been very well designed because it’s sheltered housing you know it’s specifically a lot of these things have been considered and, you know but I 6

ESSF005 I’m going down south I’m going to Oxford Cambridge and, where’s the the code breakers at Bletchley Park that’s where I’m going that should be quite good

ESSF005 My friend was 90 odd

ESSF002 I think some of the councils will actually introduce handrails because one of my neighbours I noticed not every cul-de-sac has handrails but this particular one I noticed they’d put handrails in and perhaps it was because someone had complained that they had a mobility problem or something but if you push you might get it

ESSF004 Yeah I’ve never approached them about the handrail to be honest it was the lights

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF004 My son lives in Sweden and I’ve been there a lot but I’ve never been to Norway

KB Maybe we could talk about things within buildings then we’ve spoken quite a lot about aspects of outdoor environments are there particular aspects of the home or buildings that you visit that have a positive affect on how you feel that make you more inclined to go there because it feels nice to be there it feels pleasurable to be in certain indoor environments?

ESSF005 They did come I mean I’m in a detached semi-detached villa and they came when they came to me they said would I like a handrail put up the step and I said no because I heard on the television that that’s a target right away for people that want to con people in when they see that they know somebody is disabled, but I said right I’ll do without the handrail, but they came and asked me if I wanted that

ESSF002 Yes

ESSF002 I thought that was quite funny so so I’m in the prime of life and I’ve got the lowest I’ve got the lowest membership so (laughs)

ESSF004 No no handrail, no handrail

ESSF004 Yeah, yeah

ESSF004 Well they said about the lights that everybody in the I live in a close right that everybody in the building had to pay for it and I don’t see them all paying to put a handrail up for me you know so, but that’s the only catch

ESSF004 I live in a flat and the back stairs don’t have any lights during the day and very dim at night and obviously I’ve got to take the dog out at night and I fell down the stair and broke my collarbone lay there for 3 hours if it had been winter I’d have been dead there’s nothing they can do about the lights during the day because the council don’t have the money to put lights on during the day but light is very important

ESSF002 That’s what I think to

ESSF003 Yes, yes (laughs)

ESSF005 I thought they would the council would come out and view the necessity for somebody that’s living there to have a handrail

ESSF004 And light

ESSF005 Norway the Norwegian fjords, I was going to do another one across to Vancouver and then over to Lake Louise but then I haven’t been so well with pains and things that have been going on and my daughter says just go book it and I said when I’m like this I’d hate to be all that distance away you know and have to come back if you weren’t feeling right

ESSF005 But just the negative aspects being on the hill for anybody that’s

ESSF002 Was there a handrail?

ESSF002 That is an important aspect

ESSF002 My stroke affected by eye sight a bit not completely but a bit and I appreciated being able to walk on my own going up and down stairs because you could see the lines on the stairs you know at Waverley station and whatever and I appreciated that aspect of it so it made you feel secure so hand rails and lines

someone said to me it’s a pity they built that for older people in that location because it’s it’s on the high street which is quite hilly you know the topography I said you know the hills, cobbles this kind of thing it’s really unfortunate that that can create a problem because it’s a very well designed building in terms of handrails lifts space views you know so it’s all very positive

ESSF004 Yeah, it’s only the back the front I’ve only got 3 stairs really to come up and but at the back it’s horrific if I want to go and put the washing out or anything I can’t go, only for a bit of light you know? Although in saying that I was still staggery but

ESSF004 Aye I love to watch the birds

ESSF005 Can I just say at this stage there’s lots of these things that appeal to me but if you’re not very good with mobility for getting about it just can put you in a down mood because you’re not able to do them

ESSF005 Exactly

ESSF002 But not traffic noise or pollution

ESSF005 I enjoy watching birds in the garden all types I mean my friend absolutely hates magpies but I think they’re quite funny

KB Ok any other ideas

KB Well yeah we’re going to talk about positive things for half an hour and then move on to perhaps more negative things and so maybe there are aspects of the environment that actually do put you in a negative mood and maybe that is about how easy it is to move around in certain environments

ESSF004 I’m one of these people that like spiders you know I lived in Australia so I knew them all (laughs)

ESSF004 Anywhere, space I don’t have a big house but space is very important to me

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF004 It’s the thought of the airport and I mean it’s only in the last 6 months or so that I can really even go on the bus without being scared because there’s people my sight wasn’t right and I couldn’t tell how close somebody was but the thought of going, in an airport frightens me not the fact of going on the aeroplane that doesn’t because I love Australia and I’ve been back and forth and but the crowds at the airport frighten me so [name of coastal community] was just perfect for me all the space I need all the people I love having my daughters near me and I’ve got the grandchildren that I’m never lonely it’s just a lovely in the part that I stay it’s just a lovely wee community you know It’s like a [garbled] family sort of thing you know

ESSF005 That’s good

ESSF004 I met a lady yesterday and I was admiring her car and she was going in to the tea dance I mean there was old ladies there that oh my god I don’t know how old they were

KB Ok

KB Green areas was that yep

ESSF002 Yes it makes you feel a bit scared travelling

All: (Laugh)

ESSF004 Does anybody ever go dancing?

KB Inside outside?

ESSF002 Green areas and public art

ESSF005 But sometimes you have to make yourself do things that you wouldn’t because I went on holiday on a cruise on my own in September last year and before that I thought I wonder if I’m doing the right thing but I thoroughly enjoyed it never had any problems

ESSF004 Well I don’t have many of them nowadays but I had some but I was always interested in things like that maybe not as much as now but but I was scared of daddy long legs I remember that I used to scream the place down shout ‘daddy there’s a daddy long legs in the bath!’ (laughs)

ESSF004 Animals, insects,

ESSF002 Noise, background noise

ESSF003 I think that’s the point I was trying to make at the beginning but I’m going to try and concentrate on the positives at the moment

ESSF003 And noise

ESSF004 That’s something else I’ve had to give up the driving and I don’t have any interest in driving at all I’ve got the 26 bus that takes me most places (laughs) but that’s something else that you lose the confidence confidence is such a big thing that you lose

ESSF005 And there’s no use picking them up and putting them out because they’d just come back in spiders

KB Ok

ESSF003 I’d agree

KB Gosh the ones in Australia they’re massive and poisonous aren’t they? (laughs)

ESSF005 90 odd, she used to cycle from her house at Portobello well Musselburgh up to Portobello and down to Prestonpans and then her sister said to her I think you should give that up and I thought I wouldn’t even cycle the way the traffic is on the roads now because they come so close to some of the people on bikes you know so

ESSF005 I’d go around banging everything I see because they don’t pay any money into the house right out (laughs)

ESSF003 So we’re saying gardens we’ve said green areas yes

ESSF004 Space

ESSF004 Oh there’s some crackers, but aye I get a lot it’s daft but I like animals I like watching you know we recently had a whale but quite often we’ve got seals and different things and they really interest me, I’m a beach bum

ESSF003 And, I think when I say topography I mean you know you don’t want it all if you’ve got a mobility problem when you see a hill you know you climb mountains it’s great but if you’ve got a mobility

ESSF002

ESSF003 Yeah

KB [Name of coastal community] yeah (laughs)

ESSF002 And light yes so that even if you had diminished a little bit of diminished sight you could still feel comfortable moving around so that

ESSF003 Yeah I mean I view I think stimulating I think it’s stimulating it’s like looking at a painting or a picture you know to see different to see different see different things ESSF002 But to enjoy that stimulation perhaps you need to have more park benches or more facilities for sitting and enjoying what’s around you

KB Big old trees, ok, any other suggestions?

ESSF004 Because when crowds frighten you so space is, that’s why I live near the beach (laughs)

But they are indoors if you want to be outdoors then more seating accommodation

ESSF003 Yes I’m trying to find another word for view really I just can’t think of another word really but if something’s stimulating, interesting to see it’s not just plain and you know flat if you’ve got different bits of architecture if you see spires if you you know if you’ve got a good view if you’re on the loch side you know you’ve got a good view there so, I can’t think of the word to describe it (laughs)

ESSF004 Space

ESSF003 Do you know that’s funny that’s that’s exactly the first one that I was going to say

ESSF004 I like [name of coastal community] because first of all there’s the beach and when I first had my stroke I could stagger and nobody looked at me (laughs) or I could fall and I didn’t hurt myself and the people between the people who are all dog walkers and myself my dog I was never lonely, we all there’s no back stabbing or talking behind people’s back it’s just fun and that’s just it I’m very very contended living there and in fact I’ve got the choice to go to Australia soon but I don’t want to go because I don’t want to leave my dog and I’m frightened of travelling at the moment anyway but that

KB Ok so I suppose we’ve on the little list [indicates FG instructions provided to participants] I’ve tried to give some hints and tips about the kind of things we might want to think about when we think about aspects of the environment and I suppose we’ve been covering some of these already we’ve talked about some different sounds, we’ve picked out sort of features of the natural environment other things to maybe consider are things like textures and materials in the environment, smells things like I like walking past Greggs (laughs) and smelling pasties (laughs) the people that we find in places maybe that has an affect on our mood, the kind of facilities and amenities that we might find in a place maybe that has an affect on our mood, sounds we’ve already mentioned though so I suppose really sort of think think big really

ESSF002 Big old trees

Aspects of image E favoured • Well looked after • Nicely mowed – can see the lines on the grass from where it’s been cut • Shrubs look good • Hedge looks trimmed • Tidy

KB Ok any other particular places that you like being in that you enjoy being in?

ESSF003 Yeah noise is a factor it can be good or it can be bad

ESSF004 Too much silence can be very depressing (laughs)

ESSF003 Colour bri- well any aspect of colour it could be colour it could be dark it could be bright KB Ok, any other suggestions?

KB Are there any kinds of places of aspects of places that make you feel good put you in a positive mood, make you feel happy?

Aspects of image E disliked • Would be nice to have some seating

Improvements • Seating • Picnic area

ESSF002 Yes, yes

KB Colour, ok, bright colours or any kind of colours

Discussion 1 – places and positive mood conditions

Activities • Sit quietly in the sunshine • Have a chat to people

Nothing disliked about the image

ESSF003 Colour

Participants ESSF002 - participant ESSF003 - participant ESSF004 - participant ESSF005 - participant KB – Katherine Brookfield CWT – Catharine Ward Thompson

Observations / comments • Natural light and ventilation in all rooms is good but it’s not always possible • Participant encounters no problems using public transport • Favour mixed age communities and being within a community – wouldn’t want to live in an age exclusive development • Lots of advantages to living in a city – lots of facilities and amenities and things going on – this is good, would be difficult experience living in a rural place • So lucky to live in Edinburgh where everything is walkable

Improvements • Add more trees to the front garden to create a vertical element in the street scene

Yes, just noise ESSF002 And public art to put in the areas

Almost verbatim transcript - pause lengths have not been counted and ‘urms’ and ‘ers’ have been omitted

Identified as important • wide passages and doors – don’t want to bash into things • adequate storage space – as you get older you accumulate things, acquire more hobbies and interest, and you need ample space to store all this stuff • rooms or spaces that are large enough to move around in • even floors and surfaces to walk on – inside and outside buildings it’s important for thoroughfares to have flat surfaces so they are safe to walk on • suitable bathroom facilities – like having bath and shower facilities, got two bathrooms in the home and this is very convenient (it’s a 2 person household) • suitable kitchen facilities – cooker, fridge, waste disposal system are all necessary. Like having space for a table to be able to eat in the kitchen rather than having to go into the formal dining room for every meal • able to maintain a comfortable temperature – very important as you get older • Lift (in block of flats) – important in flats, no lift in own block but have a stair lift to bring up luggage / bags etc., stairs will eventually become too difficult to manage • local parks or green spaces – lucky in Edinburgh that it’s got lots of green space • outdoor seating • streets have pavements – need to have a way of separating pedestrians from the traffic • pavements that separate pedestrians from cyclists and vehicles – pet hate is cyclists on pavements • pavements that are free from obstructions • smooth pavements – become more important as participant has got older

Being in the place shown in image E would make the participant feel • Pleasant – looks a reasonable sized area of green space so you wouldn’t feel cramped

Aspects of image A liked • People • Sunlight • Nice trees • Looks spacious • Pleasant • No bus routes running straight along the street – noise would be a problem

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

Place for children to play and not disturb other park users

Talking mats

Improvements • The trees and the buildings look rather new – need time to mature and grow then the place will look better Image C and D

Discussion 2 - places and negative mood conditions

ESSF003 We’ve got it out of our system, well I’ve got it out of my system KB 19

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

Design Report_ Volume 1

I think you’ve got to put down there accessibility you know I mean that’s more than negative that’s actually very frustrating I mean you can only overcome a lot of that by knowing and planning you know but that’s I find accessibility is the most you know more than negative frustrating stressful

Concrete blocks

ESSF004 Well a lot of people won’t use the trolleys and I can’t shop without my trolley because but they’re becoming more and more colourful now it’s not just an I’m an old lady that’s got a trolley or a hair for th my 60 birthday my cousin bought me a rain-mate (laughs)

ESSF003 So security you know talking about feeling as though you live in a if you’ve got insecurity about your area or your location then that can be a negative it can make you afraid to go out

ESSF004 Architecture is quite something that is interesting to me, especially Glasgow ESSF005 That’s what I was just going to say Glasgow’s got some lovely old buildings ESSF004 If you look up you’ve got to look up to see it to to so things like that interest me as well I can’t say well as you say they’re horrible buildings but I can’t condone or condemn someone because they live in a high flat you know, they built them for a reason ESSF005 But the blocks that they did knock down were horrible at Sighthill they were monsters oh they were horrible

ESSF005 I know what I would have done with it (laughs)

ESSF002 They can be designed more attractively

ESSF004 (laughs) I’ve still got it ESSF005 (laughs) tie is round her neck (laughs) I had a conversation with somebody about a month ago about these rain hats and I said I would never in a million years and if you ever see me in that you know I’ve gone (laughs) ESSF003 I suppose I mean we’ve talked about noise I suppose noise can be you know if it’s persistent intrusive noise ESSF005 In the background

ESSF005 I think so these were ESSF004 It’s a shame people wreck the buildings and then they do the buildings up and then they put the same people back in and it’s just ESSF005 They’ve not built anything yet I don’t know what their plans are my husband was in a nursing home just beside that part and the nursing home really looked quite nice until you looked out and you saw these big things that looked ghastly ESSF003 Yes as I say everything is compromise I mean I couldn’t bear to live because it’s a very small flat I couldn’t bear to live there if I didn’t have some interesting things round about to distract me from you know (laughs)

ESSF003 Bad noise ESSF004 Like drilling (laughs)

ESSF004 Well I pity some poor soul whose stuck up there in in these buildings and that’s all they’ve got outside I mean that must be you might as well be dead to me as far as I’m concerned to live in that and I’m talking about places I know more about Glasgow than I know about here but the likes of Easter House and I often think that when I’m walking you could be stuck in a flat or a house in Easter House where they’re all cutting one another’s throats and you know that must be a nightmare

ESSF003 This sounds terrible but something that makes my life it doesn’t matter where it is but when I see just low buildings nothing interesting in the environment you know that’s not just for mobility people but something that affects your mood I think the horrible horrible architecture or something like that you know just some places

ESSF002 Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

If you can’t avoid them if you can’t avoid the underpasses then perhaps underpasses that are well lit so some of them are pretty dark but they should be well lit and maybe they could have some more attractive designs on the walls not graffiti but art, sort of wall art

ESSF002 Dogs that aren’t on leads I find that can be intimidating if you’re walk- going for walk and then the owner of the dog doesn’t have the dog on a lead

KB Any other suggestions to add to the list? Ok are there any particular items on the list you want to maybe speak about I suppose we’ve spoken about a number already but are there any you’d like to say a little bit more about?

ESSF002 Dark

ESSF005 I just don’t like underpasses at all I think it’s better with bridges over things rather than going under because there’s so many kids and teenagers hang about in these places as if it was their meeting place and right away that puts older people off my mum had friends

KB And that’s inside and outside buildings

ESSF005 At [name of place] and she the group that were there urinated on her, as she was coming along at night as she was coming along on her own it was a group of boys and that’s what they did to her I mean if I had been there oh but I mean nobody well the old lady couldn’t run after them and do anything about it apart from feel horrible that that’s what had happened

KB And is everyone kind of feels similarly about that? ESSF005 Not really

ESSF004 Frightening

KB OK Is space not really something that has much of an affect on how you feel? Doesn’t really impact

ESSF003 Can I add something to my bus drivers I did check up on the internet and the latest legislation I think it was an enquiry by the Equal Opportunities Commission it’s not called disabilities they mentioned bus drivers one of the biggest bus transport not drivers just say bus transport was one of the biggest still outstanding issues mobility issues

ESSF005 Well I don’t there’s certain things like tunnels and things like that I just avoid places that I know that I wouldn’t like to be in the area I just avoid them KB Right and what would be the places that you’d consciously try and avoid then?

ESSF005 And yet some people can be so kind I fell off the bus at the West End flat on my face both shoes off and everything and the driver got up from his seat and come out there was other people there but right away he was the one that helped me up

ESSF005 Well anywhere there’s tunnels or underpasses I would just not go anyway near it if there was an alternative nearby but then if you’ve got to walk a long way before you find another place to cross it’s not so good near where my husband was in the nursing home there was underpasses up at [name of place] I never went through any of them not even in daylight but my daughter sometimes came straight from her work and I used to say don’t go that way rather go to the next stop cross over and walk along it’s far better than going under

ESSF003 I would I would yes and the general public you know what I found is general public you know how you’ve got this thing about health and safety you know maybe if you were helping someone onto a bus or you were assisting someone you might if you were that kind of mentality you might say I don’t want to be involved in case something happened but in in aspects of general public I’ve found if I needed some help you know people have actually come and offered to help

ESSF004 They’re covered in graffiti as well ESSF002

ESSF004 I wouldn’t like to go on a tube nowadays oh my God no

ESSF003 It’s not really yes I can see it but it’s not, it’s not really a

ESSF003 No you couldn’t

ESSF005 Not really a garden to sit in?

ESSF004 That would frighten the life out of me

ESSF003 Yes it’s a very nice garden people come and see it and look at it but it’s not a private garden you know it would be ok to you know it looks very nice and people in the building do use it and tourists come through the closes and they look at this nice garden so it’s nice to look at but it’s not your

ESSF003 You couldn’t live in you couldn’t survive in London transport with something like that [indicates mobility aid] (laughs)

CWT I’m sure that it’s designed to be level I think that’s why the platforms’ raised

ESSF003 I don’t think I ever saw a person on a tube with any kind well you wouldn’t go on with a wheelchair I don’t think if I remember

ESSF003 It’s like a yes

ESSF004 Don’t know

KB So a negative thing can be the types of people in a place? ESSF004 Aye aye

ESSF005 You can’t sit out

ESSF004 No it went to fast well will the trams how will they be will they be are they going to be prepared?

ESSF003 I would say societal things but that’s is that to do with environment I don’t you know societal societal types of people

ESSF003 No you can’t sit out it’s not your private your private spa- it’s compromise isn’t it you don’t want isolated garden all on your own you don’t want too much it’s it’s this in between this balance and this you know to affect your mood it’s you know you’ve got to compromise so it’s a balancing it’s an acceptance or, type type thing, you know, yeah I think that’s what that’s what mobility problems I think it’s one of the things that I would say that’s what mobility problems mean making well for me what they’ve meant is making compromises and sometimes if I don’t like compromises I can be very negative (laughs) [loud drilling sound in background – stops discussion for a few moments]

ESSF003 I I doubt it my my at the moment I mean you don’t know until you’ve tried it but it doesn’t look you’ve got to get onto this middle this middle sort of area what would you call it? Platform

ESSF003 Yeah bad neighbours I mean going into this and also the compromises that you have to make can affect your mood because you know that you’re well you know talk- I don’t mean your standard of your quality of life by making some compromises is going you know is being reduced you know downsizing getting rid of this giving up your garden you know these things can affect well I know they’ve affected my mood you know by the compromises I’ve had to make by living in a different different environment that can be very negative and I don’t mean because of the types of people or

KB Ok so we’ve discussed some of the things that can have a negative affect on mood can anyone think of any other aspects of the environment or particular places in the environment particular places you go or particular places you avoid because they have a negative affect on how you feel? ESSF003

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF004 They’re probably on a timetable and they’re paid by the time that they’re if they get there in time they’ve got money taken off them if they don’t get there in time so if you’re keeping them back you’ve lost them money which is all basically down to the companies then

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

then we both went so she had to run away back with this dress and say 'oh I’m so sorry my daughter' I suppose if she’d gone out the centre they’d have been after her but she was still walking within the centre out of the shop and I thought that just shows you how easy and how would you convince them that I mean you can’t train a little one to pick something off a clothes thing ESSF003 I feel as though moving from the you know actual environment which you think of as being you know sort of practical on to sort of social aspects or you know, having having problems I’ve got one story and I don’t know if it’s really funny but it was down in London with my friend and her grandchild and he had a grape and he ate the grape and when we got to the checkout this woman said that little boy has stolen a grape, and my friend and this is the bit I don’t know how she shouted ‘call the police the police let’s get the police the police’ and she made I mean I don’t I wouldn’t have been able to do that but she just flipped in to this ‘oh and let’s get the police’ (laughs) ESSF004 Stolen a grape

ESSF004 See you don’t know the pressure that these people are under which is basically the companies that are you know it’s always the same the man at the top probably doesn’t take the blame what about supermarkets do you have problems getting in there? Supermarkets are all friendly? I mean for, this [indicating ESSF003’s mobility aid]

KB Ok so we’ve probably got about 5 minutes left does anyone else have any other things that they would like to add to the list? Any additional aspects of the environment aspects of places that have a negative affect on how we feel or any particular places that have a negative affect on how we feel any particular places we avoid because they have because they don’t feel nice places to be in?

ESSF003 I noticed I go I go in anyway I just noticed I was going round John Lewis and I just saw somebody following and I wondered are they looking you know at what I’m doing with my little box here [on mobility aid] you know I felt as if I was being watched and that’s the only place that it’s ever happened you know when you’re walking round with something like that they might think you’re going for

ESSF003 I’m going to avoid Waverly Station

ESSF005 Shoplifting

ESSF003 Yes

ESSF003 Shoplifting yes

KB No access down to the platform, ok

ESSF005 I think they’re very wary of that happening with people with children in prams because that’s

ESSF002 Some footpaths need to be surfaced KB Ok

ESSF005 I was with a friend in Newcastle and she had her little girl in the pram (laughs) and we didn’t know but the shop the doorway was wide-open and it was inside a shopping centre and we’d come out of this shop I think it was Mothercare or something and unknown to us we were walking along and the wee one had a dress in her hand that as we were passing she must have thought ‘oh I quite like that’ and

ESSF002 So as not to collect puddles of water

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF002 Not just Waverly station but even just walks when you go for walks around the loch or something like that sometimes part might be surfaced alright but other parts you have to jump over big puddles and it could discourage mobility

ESSF005 There’s some shops British Home Stores is one of them that outside it they’ve got like tiling cream tiling and if it rains that gets really slippery, I had a fall there as well (laughs)

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF003 Uninformed or something KB Is there anything else we want to add to this list any other types of places or aspects of places that we feel have a negative affect on how we feel any places make us feel ESSF003 Minority minorty [about bus drivers being added to the list as something that has a negative affect on mood]

ESSF004 Getting upset

ESSF003 Negative tunnels underpasses

ESSF003 Yeah getting getting stressed out and but you what what I what Lothian buses told me was one if you get on the bus if you’re on the bus which I can’t do unless I’ve got help you get them to phone control and control will tell them yes but meanwhile you’re holding the bus up you know

ESSF004 Yeah yeah

CWT Yeah yeah you’re not going to do that

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF002 I suppose under-tunnels underpasses they can be quite intimidating even if you don’t have a disability

KB Any other suggestions? ESSF003 Well I suppose if we took the positives and just said lack of space lack of colour lack of you know all of those if they’re not there in a reasonable amount or whatever you know

ESSF003 The last time the last time there was nearly a riot (laughs) because one person got up and said you know this is ridiculous you should be putting it down for this for this lady and then someone else is saying ‘oh well if those are the rules those are the rules and it’s only for wheelchair users’ and you 26

KB Any places make us feel isolated or vulnerable or just generally unhappy being in those places?

ESSF004 Mess dog poo and mess litter, I just can’t believe it people 27

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF003 I don’t know if that’s theft or not I’m not sure (laughs) KB Ok so we’ve probably got about 5 minutes left does anyone else have any other things that they would like to add to the list? Any additional aspects of the environment aspects of places that have a negative affect on how we feel or any particular places that have a negative affect on how we feel any particular places we avoid because they have because they don’t feel nice places to be in? ESSF003 I’m going to avoid Waverly Station KB Right and you mentioned that was all about accessibility and ESSF003 Yes KB No access down to the platform, ok

ESSF005 Which is that not on Princes Street They don’t have them at the door now

ESSF002 Some footpaths need to be surfaced

ESSF002 Argyle Street?

KB Ok

ESSF005 Where

ESSF002 So as not to collect puddles of water

ESSF002 Argyle Street?

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF005 They turn the thing on and the ramp comes down

ESSF004 Ageism

ESSF003 But anyway I’ve had you know I mean they’ve been I’ve had it’s being refused and I mean I don’t really want to you know oh yes yes they won’t put down the ramp in fact one time when I stopped using buses was because I was getting off at Pound- I think it’s called Poundstretcher at the North Bridge and the front he refused to put down and the front wheels went between the bus and the pavement and of course and since that time I haven’t gone on buses I’ve checked it out and really the drivers the the their current policy is if someone asks it doesn’t matter I believe it doesn’t matter who if someone asks for the ramp to be put down the driver is in fact required to put it down by by law and I’ve been told if I mean I didn’t argue I don’t argue with them because it’s not worthwhile you know

ESSF005 The grape police

ESSF005 Well slightly negative lots of shops before used to have at least a seat at the counter where you would pay Jenner’s used to have 3 seats at the side entrance when you came in they’ve all gone now but if you say anything they say to you ‘oh well if you really want a seat if you ask someone will get one for you’ but well

ESSF002 They have a few

ESSF003 Pardon?

ESSF003 Yes well you can’t call it discrimination what can we say uninformed?

ESSF004 Stolen a grape

KB Yes ok so anything else finally to add to the list or are we quite happy that we’ve captured pretty much all the places and all the types of places the aspects of places

ESSF005 They have

ESSF003 Waverly station (laughs) I’ll be getting done for liable or something (laughs)

ESSF005 But luckily for her a taxi just came along and she hailed it and got that but she said no it was a tiring day for her first time out with the baby and the wee boy and then having to get off it and wait you know she was lucky that she saw a taxi

KB Horribly uncooperative individuals

ESSF003 I feel as though moving from the you know actual environment which you think of as being you know sort of practical on to sort of social aspects or you know, having having problems I’ve got one story and I don’t know if it’s really funny but it was down in London with my friend and her grandchild and he had a grape and he ate the grape and when we got to the checkout this woman said that little boy has stolen a grape, and my friend and this is the bit I don’t know how she shouted ‘call the police the police let’s get the police the police’ and she made I mean I don’t I wouldn’t have been able to do that but she just flipped in to this ‘oh and let’s get the police’ (laughs)

ESSF003 I mean I remember saying you shouldn’t live in the centre of Edinburgh if you can’t walk on cobbles that’s a compromise but for me cobbles are very uncomfortable to to walk over but that’s what I say you know don’t live there if you can’t if you can’t tolerate it’s about compromises isn’t it?

ESSF002 Marks Marks still have seats at the entrance

KB Right and you mentioned that was all about accessibility and

ESSF003 As I said I haven’t haven’t looked into it

ESSF003 25

All: Yes

ESSF003 I don’t know if that’s theft or not I’m not sure (laughs)

ESSF003 Yes I think that’s

CWT What you mean they wouldn’t put the ramp down for you?

KB And do you end up sort of avoiding these places then because?

ESSF005 The grape police

ESSF003 But that cost in Japan I think it was 2005 that cost 104 lives you know because the train driver was trying to make up time because

ESSF003 Yes, yes but that doesn’t it’s only happened once to my knowledge and it doesn’t upset me

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF003 Yes so that’s a negative (laughs)

CWT Yeah I think they’re designed to get on from either end they sort of slope out gradually

ESSF003 But you will get I’ve three I don’t use the bus that often now because I don’t like it I mean I’ve been refused for the ramp to go down first time I didn’t I just don’t argue with the bus driver you know it’s not

ESSF005 Before it starts well

ESSF005 Must have been a bad hair day (laughs)

ESSF005 Because my friend’s daughter she’d only had the baby two weeks and she’d gone out and they had gone on the bus and she has a little boy of three and she was she’d paid her fare way back but when they came to the stop there was a person in a wheelchair waiting to get on

ESSF005 She was made to get off that bus and let the person on with the wheelchair

ESSF004 Yeah the buses are great for that I mean they’ve got seats that are specially for and they’ve got a button that if you press that then the bit comes out down outside same with prams ramp goes press this button and the ramp goes down outside so that you can get off

ESSF004 Before it starts

don’t want to have to go on a bus to to face that kind of that so one guy did I understand did report it to Lothian Buses because the driver was quite obnoxious actually and he said to the pass- to the other passenger who was arguing I’ll put you off the bus at the next stop, not me no the passenger who was saying this is ridiculous honestly that is a true story (laughs) and it’s horrible isn’t it?

ESSF003 Yeah I know that

ESSF003 Yes but getting if you’re going from the opposite side of the pavement or the road and you’re having to get on to the platform

ESSF002 I’ve certainly seen a wheelchair going into a bus you know the bus driver comes out and he puts a ramp or something and then the wheelchair goes

ESSF004 But surely we’ll have to be told before we go and buy a ticket if we can get on with a wheelchair or whatever do we know what’s happening with

ESSF005 Wheelchair user has preference over and above anybody with prams

ESSF003 Yes they

ESSF002 I’ve certainly seen buses

ESSF005 They’ll probably have to put a sign up because at the moment the ticket machines are in the islands where the bus where the trams stop there’s nobody around there to ask but probably at the start they’ll have somebody to give information out

ESSF004 He must have heard me saying that (laughs) [about the drilling sound]

ESSF004 That’s Scottish people you try that in London I fell in London and they just walked by me I couldn’t get up (laughs) so human human beings are all different you know 30

ESSF005 I would think from the width of some of the platforms they look as if they would be wide enough but as regards access off the platform into the carriage I don’t know

ESSF004 What used to be an adventure would be an ordeal now (laughs)

ESSF004 It’s like a park rather than a

No they said yes it’s only for wheelchairs ESSF004 But I mean at the design stage probably designed by a man will it be ESSF003 It’s something I haven’t thought about I haven’t looked at the platforms you know would you be able to get something like that [indicates mobility aid] on to the platform and then from the platform on to

ESSF003 Maybe you’re not you’re not aware of something until it happens to you I don’t ever remember seeing anyone on a London tube with a mobility aid

ESSF004 Yeah I know that lorry drivers are the same

ESSF004 Aye and there’s needles and everything lying about

ESSF003 And outside yes

I think going back to this one insecurity in areas I mean I lived in London for a long time and I used to enjoy going on the Heath but then it became even in North West 3 it became quite it became quite dodgy you know so insecurity yes you can

CWT Do you not have a garden where you are now?

ESSF005 Is it maintained by a council or somebody looks after the grounds?

ESSF003 There was an interesting I watched about a big crash not because I knew it was on it just came on about a big crash in Japan in 2005 train crash and listening to the drivers of these trains it was that that was the big problem they were having to work within seconds of their timetables there was bullying if they didn’t meet their timetables so yeah putting people under stress like that

ESSF004 Or who’s who’s hiding in there (laughs)

ESSF003 I I just go back to put another tick next to lack of space (laughs) I think space is really important but I say that’s personal

unsafe areas I just mean things like you know you don’t have the same you’ve got to get rid of your your prints for the wall or you’ve got to get rid of some stuff that you’ve had that doesn’t fit into the space you know so things that were important to you I found that very difficult

ESSF003 No the residents I think one or two of the residents I mean it’s very nice lovely to look at but it’s not really it’s difficult to explain it’s not really your

ESSF003 Sort of positive things I find thinking about bus transport I mean I would put it down as sort of drivers I think it would be 2% you know something like that but it’s just unfortunate to me that 2 in a hundred

KB Yeah, so is it it’s the fact that they’re dark is that something that we dislike about them or that make us feel

ESSF004 That’s why you take them to the beach and they can run, but the poo situation is bad

ESSF004 Yeah well my daughter her husband was in the army and they were in an army house and they were moved out or sorry he left after 25 years and they moved to a private flat which was ridiculous it had snails and everything running about the place but eventually they got a council house because my grandson’s got Asperger’s and she’s got two others and they moved her into a house in [name of place] now we’re not from here so we well I’ve lived here 8 years but we don’t really know anyway it was a lovely house new and they’re now in a safe house 3 of them and 1 [garbled] like 5 of them in a 2 bedroom house which is not good for the boy with Asperger’s but they tried to kill my wee daughter my granddaughter it’s kids they choked her they had tape from a video tape round her they were pouring salty water making her drink it it was ho- it was a nightmare and the police and everything got involved and they’re still living in a safe house now and she can’t get a council house now we didn’t know if you’d said to me ‘oh I’m getting a house in Easter House’ (laughs) I’d have said forget it you know? But we didn’t know the history of here but it was brutal what they did to that wee girl she’s a different girl now and they’ve had a big meeting she’s got to go back to [name of school] where she was before where she was happy so 2 of the kids are in there now and the oldest one’s out at [name of school] but they’re still living in a unhappy circumstances because [grandson’s] nearly 14 and he’s got to share a room with the 2 kids and as I say his Asperger’s but that was a nightmare up there I mean we weren’t brought up like that we didn’t know like watching a woman over the road getting her face punched in by her husband and all this and good God you don’t know how lucky you are no matter what I would do anything to get away from these places the people that are brought up in them they’re you know they’re stuck there

ESSF004 If you didn’t if you weren’t born there in this particular corner when the police came they called it the corner they were all related these people and the police were un- they weren’t happy about going into this corner it was a ghetto that everybody knows about but they sent my daughter into this house so aye neighbours can be very very much the bane of your life if you’re unlucky enough to have them like that

ESSF005 It’s it’s what they do to the rest of the building like the stairways and lifts 9 times out of 10 they never used to work because people had

ESSF002 To many high rise buildings, designers need to pay attention to that

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

ESSF003 Yes concrete blocks yes

ESSF002 I think some of the aids that are are produced for to enable people to be more mobile they perhaps need to be more alluring more colourful more designed designed in such a way to make people want to use them so like frames and walking sticks and things like that I know my father had a stroke towards the end of his life he was about 80 something and he said that will make me look like an old man (laughs) and it was amazing you know, ‘dad come on’ (laughs) but he would refuse to use a frame because and preferred not to walk and sit rather than use a frame, because he’d feel like an old man

ESSF003 Waverly station (laughs) I’ll be getting done for liable or something (laughs) 33

Stroke Survivor Focus Group 1

STROKE SURVIVORS’ FOCUS GROUP: PRELIMINARY SUMMARY OF ISSUES DISCUSSED st

1 focus group, stroke survivors, 20.03.14

Stroke survivors’ focus group: preliminary summary of issues discussed 4 participants took part in the focus groups, all were female, 3 members of the MMP team facilitated the focus group Structure of focus group discussion - 2 x 30 min. discussions addressing two broad questions: •

•

Discussion 2: What kinds of environment, or what aspects of an environment, have a more negative affect on mood, i.e. what places or aspects of places make people feel unhappy, isolated, vulnerable, afraid or nervous?

Summary of items discussed: Environments / aspects of the environment = Positive mood conditions • Colour • Space – indoors and outdoors – for two participants space was the most important aspect of an environment. One spoke about difficulties in judging distances on the side of her body affected by the stroke – she was concerned about bumping into people and objects and so wanted space to freely move around without such concerns. Another noted how lack of space or concerns about lack of space leads to certain places or events being avoided. • Places with fewer people - post-stroke a couple of participants spoke about wanting to avoid places where there were lots of people – buses, airports, busy shopping streets, theatres. There were concerns about bumping into people while one participant was self-conscious of her how she walked post-stroke – she didn’t want to be ‘on show’ in front of lots of people. One participant found crowds frightening. • The beach – open, lots of space, no one to see if you have difficulties walking, soft sand if you fall over • Community – knowing your neighbours and having good neighbours, having conversations with people • Seeing children playing • Light – places need to be well-lit particularly where people have a visual impairment. Poor lighting makes it very difficult to move around, fear of falling as you can’t see where you’re going. Finding your way down the stairs in a cinema or theatre when the lights are dimmed, and the lack of a handrail to hold, is particularly problematic. • Guide lines on stairs– useful if you have a visual impairment – makes you feel safer and more confident as you can see where you’re going, this supports independent mobility • Handrails on stairs – gives a great sense of security and confidence. • Grab rails in bathrooms – gives you a sense of security • Walk-in showers – made a huge difference to a participant’s life – before she had been very frightened of falling when getting in and out of the bath. Fear of falling in the shower was common to several participants. Though showers were thought to be easier to use than baths, participants loved having baths and missed them. • Lifts and stairlifts – stairs presented challenges • Sounds – pleasant, relatively unobtrusive background sounds - bird song and children laughing / playing, music – more peaceful environments were favoured, one participant favoured silence though another commented that too much silence is depressing. Loud background noise can lead to certain places – bars, cinemas – being avoided.

1 focus group, stroke survivors, 20.03.14

• •

• • • • • • •

• • • •

Wildlife – watching birds in the garden was popular, people found it interesting and amusing Green spaces – all participants felt green spaces had a positive affect on their mood, they were identified as calming and relaxing and helped to lift your spirits. There “is nothing as beautiful as nature” noted one participant. ‘Big old trees’ Museums – they offer space, colour and light, interesting things to look at and they’re usually accessible Flat topography – very difficult to go up and down hills (of any height) when you have mobility problems, ‘it’s so much easier when everything is on the flat’. Public art Variety in the built form – different architectural features Libraries and mobile libraries Outdoor seating – need to include seating in greenspaces so that you can enjoy spending time in them. Need to include seats in shopping areas so there is somewhere to rest. Commenting on Princes Street, one participant noted that due to the lack of benches they had to stop for a rest in the bus shelters. Seats need to be high so they are easy to sit down on and get up from. Interesting views from your home (this was contrasted with ‘plain, flat’ views) – views could be of buildings, greenspace, a skyline etc. Historic buildings Opportunities for gentle exercise such as gentle exercise classes, a gym Water – one participant commented that it was calming to watch the tides at the coast

1 focus group, stroke survivors, 20.03.14

• • • • • •

• • • •

Perfume – one participant was allergic to perfume, she would like people not to wear perfume in public places Supermarkets – can have poor access London underground – crowds, lack of space, stairs – one participant noted: ‘what used to be an adventure is now an ordeal’ Lack of own private garden Dogs off leads – it’s intimidating when you encounter a dog running off the lead in a park etc. Bad neighbours / bad area – being in a place where you are concerned about your safety, where you feel insecure has a big impact on your mood and general sense of wellbeing – you would feel that people might harm you, scared of potential violence Uneven pavements with dips where puddles form Tiled outdoor surfaces – when they are wet they become very slippery prompting fears of falling Graffiti Dark spaces – lighting is very important particularly if you have a visual impairment

Environments / aspects of the environment = Negative mood conditions • Poor accessibility for people with mobility problems – stairs, no handrails, no lifts, cobbles, cramped spaces – this doesn’t just have a negative affect on mood, it actually makes life more frustrating, more difficult. Waverly train station was identified as a particularly inaccessible place. Sounds – loud background noise / music in bars / cinemas – can’t hear anything over it, prevents conversation – results in some participants avoiding these places. Other disliked sounds included station announcements, persistent noise, building works and traffic noise Modern technology – mobile phones, computers – can be confusing to use, or, though you may understand how to use a device, the way it’s designed makes it difficult / impossible to use - it feels sad to be excluded from using modern technology because of design issues • Underpasses – dark, teenagers and others hang around in them, one participant will never use them and will go out of their way to find an alternative way to cross a road, another mentioned that they could be improved with better lighting and artwork • Mobility aids – could be designed to be more appealing to use, if you use one it can make you feel like an ‘old person’ - one participant noted that her farther refused to use a walking aid because it made him look and feel like ‘an old man’. Further, mobility aids identify you as ‘different’. • High rise buildings – Awful to look at and to live in. Concerns about being stranded on a top floor if the lifts break. Participants associated these buildings with anti-social behaviour and minimal investment in maintenance and upkeep. High rise flats at Sighthill, Edinburgh were identified by one participant as particularly awful to look at. • Buildings that resemble concrete blocks • Lack of space – indoors and outdoors – One participant felt unhappy during the process of downsizing to a smaller home in a sheltered housing complex because she had to give away many possessions • Large groups of school children gathered in the street, outside shops etc. – intimidating • Crowds – frightening • Litter, rubbish, dog mess •

•

149

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 1-2-1 INTERVIEWS: OVERARCHING THEMES 05.02.14 Mobility Mood and Place

•

Edinburgh Fieldwork – 1-2-1 interviews with healthy volunteers: Preliminary analysis Analysis based on 5 interviews. The analysis will be developed as additional interviews are completed. Overarching themes Access to natural light is hugely important – often cited as a favoured feature of the home, plentiful windows were praised, desire to have access to light can inform where a person chooses to live – higher rather than lower floors. Light places were identified as cheerful while the sun was thought to make you feel happy / put you in a positive mood. Dark places were identified as gloomy, bleak, perhaps unsafe, and should be avoided. They make you feel hemmed in, claustrophobic. Lots of storage space is a must – desire for lots of storage space in homes to accommodate everyday items and items that have been collected over a lifetime which don’t need to be accessed on a day to day basis. Can treat these two types of storage space differently – the first needs to be readily accessible, the other less so. It was noted that older people tend to hold on to things for adult children, one participant spoke about being the ‘family archivist’. Lack of storage space can force older people into giving up some of their possessions. Well-designed storage space is a must – low cupboards that you need to bend down to reach and high cupboards that you need to stand on a chair to reach are not useful, nor are deep cupboards. Participants favoured including compartments in cupboards that you can pull out to access items, rather than reaching around inside cupboards searching for items. Places can be too well maintained – public open space with pristine mown grass and neat, well-tended flower beds can make participants feel uncomfortable, they would be reluctant to use such spaces and would be very conscious of their behaviour within them – they wouldn’t feel able to relax, let the grandchildren play, walk on the grass, take the dog for a walk. There was a preference for open spaces to have a rather informal appearance where there are signs of public use. Spacious homes – need space to move around in, to avoid banging into things (which can result in serious injuries for older people), to store things, a spacious kitchen with room for a table was favoured by some participants. One participant commented that as we get older we will spend an increasing amount of time in our bedrooms and so these need to be large enough to accommodate more of our daily lives. One participant felt like a ‘battery hen’ because of the small rooms and low ceilings in her property. Activities in the home – participants reported a variety of activities including watching TV, reading, working at the computer, hobbies (photography, playing computer games), baking and cooking, gardening – although the length of time spent gardening has reduced owing to problems linked with aging while larger gardens / trees were seen by some as difficult to maintain. Several participants allocated activities to particular spaces within the home – participants watched TV on the sofa / in the lounge; worked in the study, the dining room, at the dining room table; did hobbies in a workshop, garage, read in the lounge, in a garden room One participant mentioned how they moved from one designated ‘zone’ to another within the home to carry out different activities – they liked this and noted that the need to move from place to place meant there was an opportunity to check and correct themselves if they had been spending too long in one place on one activity. Multiple important features - Many features in the home and neighbourhood were identified as important (see talking mats analysis), but, interestingly, participants didn’t all identify every item in the talking mats exercise as important. E.g. only one participant identified wide passages and doors as important – others commented that in the future these features might become more important and/or that they were important but only for wheelchair users. One participant commented that ‘wide’ should be the standard / default size for all passages and doors. Additional important features identified by participants in the talking mats exercise included: • Bin storage facilities – need a space to keep your bin that is close to the street so it is easy to bring out on collection days • Recycling facilities • Straight and wide staircases • Double bannisters on stairs

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 1-2-1 INTERVIEWS: OVERARCHING THEMES 11.03.1

Sound insulation

•

Pavements – high priority placed on having streets with pavements, need smooth pavements that are free from obstructions and that separate cyclists from pedestrians. The emphasis placed on these qualities has increased with age – when participants were younger, uneven pavements were never a concern. Now uneven pavements can be a barrier to going out alone. One participant noted, however, that perfectly smooth pavements can be treacherous in the winter months. Cyclists on pavements were a concern to several participants – it was noted how quiet cyclists were so they seemed to appear out of nowhere, they were also criticised for failing to give way to pedestrians with their dominance of certain routes leading to participants avoiding these paths entirely. Sociable spaces are valued – participants want to live in, or like living in, places where they know their neighbours, can chat to their neighbours. Empty places that lack people are disliked – this came across in the image based interview where, when selecting image A (a street with people) one of the favoured aspects was the presence of people and the interaction occurring between these people. Image B (an empty street) was frequently disliked partly because it lacked people. There were concerns about becoming socially isolated as you get older and a view that certain environments might encourage this – suburban houses were thought potentially isolating, however, others felt that such environments might have lots of community activities going on. In the image based interview, Image F – public open space with lots of litter – was often identified as a well-used place (with the litter being taken as evidence of this) and the participants liked this. There was some support for the provision of shared spaces within / outside houses / residential schemes in order to provide space to meet neighbours. One participant was interested in the idea of co-housing schemes where residents collectively own and manage a scheme that features certain shared spaces – e.g. a shared dining hall, kitchen, garden. Public green space was liked by some partly because it was thought to offer opportunities for interaction; likewise outdoor seating. Such views indicate that the participants believe the design of the built environment impacts on behaviour and on opportunities for pro-social behaviour. There was support for living in areas featuring a mix of ages – none of the participants favoured communities preserved only for older people. A couple of participants spoke about enjoying seeing and hearing children playing.

•

Edinburgh Fieldwork – 1-2-1 interviews with healthy volunteers: Preliminary analysis Analysis based on 14 interviews. Key overarching themes Access to natural light is hugely important – often cited as a favoured feature of the home, plentiful windows were praised, desire to have access to light can inform where a person chooses to live – higher rather than lower floors. Light places were identified as cheerful while the sun was thought to make you feel happy / have a positive affect on mood. Dark places were identified as gloomy, bleak, perhaps unsafe, and should be avoided. They were said to make you feel hemmed in, claustrophobic. Lots of storage space is a must – desire for lots of storage space in homes to accommodate everyday items and items that have been collected over a lifetime which don’t need to be accessed on a day to day basis. Can treat these two types of storage space differently – the first needs to be readily accessible, the other less so. It was noted that older people tend to hold on to things for adult children, one participant spoke about being the ‘family archivist’. One spoke about wanting to retain items to pass down to younger generations of the family and required ample storage space to do this. Lack of storage space can force older people into giving up some of their possessions. Well-designed storage space is a must – low cupboards that you need to bend down to reach and high cupboards that you need to stand on a chair to reach are not useful, nor are deep cupboards. Participants favoured including compartments in cupboards that you can pull out to access items, rather than reaching around inside cupboards searching for items. Places can be too well maintained – public open space with pristine mown grass and very neat, well-tended flower beds can make participants feel uncomfortable, they would be reluctant to use such spaces and would be very conscious of their behaviour within them – they wouldn’t feel able to relax, let the grandchildren play, walk on the grass, take the dog for a walk. There was a preference for open spaces to have a rather informal appearance where there are signs of public use. At the same time though, litter and poorly maintained areas were disliked – they were seen to suggest a lack of care, on the part of the community and the authorities.

Privacy - The desire for social contact and interaction sits alongside a desire for privacy. A couple of participants wanted homes to be set back from pavements to prevent people walking past and looking into front windows. Some participants favoured access to a private garden rather than a shared garden. Having your own front door was important. Properties were seen to need good sound insulation so that you can’t hear your neighbours and your neighbours can’t hear you. Safety – relating to threats from others and threats to health and wellbeing - visible security features: cameras, gates, neighbourhood watch signs - seen by some as an indication of potential threats and made some feel less safe. One participant favoured avoiding visible security features entirely unless there was a real problem with crime. Being on a higher floor (rather than ground floor) made people feel safer – one participant spoke about feeling ‘above’ anything that happens on street level. There was a common worry / concern about tripping over in the home or when out. Individuals would often reflect on how their health might deteriorate in the future and what impact this might have on how they lived and where they lived. A couple spoke about eventually needing to move to another property because the stairs / size of the current home will become too difficult to manage.

Building design – there was support for differentiation between homes, for including individual features and details– this was seen to impart character – a favoured quality in a home. Variation in built form was contrasted, negatively, with monotonous, box-like, ‘samey’, featureless, characterless buildings.

Activities in the home – participants reported a variety of activities including: watching TV, reading, working at the computer, photography, playing computer games, baking and cooking (a couple of participants noted that they used to bake and cook but with only one or two people in the house it now seemed like a lot of effort), sewing, entertaining - having friends or family round, exercising and gardening. The length of time spent gardening, though, has reduced owing to deteriorating health while a couple of participants wanted to garden but couldn’t anymore because of poor health. Larger gardens and trees were seen by some as difficult to maintain.

Measured views – participants would often point to the pros and cons of a particular feature failing to conclusively identify something as either wholly good or wholly bad – this creates issues when designing places, should these features be included or excluded? • Stairs - difficult to negotiate and tiring, but, they keep people active

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 1-2-1 INTERVIEWS: TALKING MATS 05.02.14

Several participants allocated activities to particular spaces within their home – participants watched TV on the sofa / in the lounge; worked in the study / the dining room / at the dining room table; did hobbies in a workshop / garage; read in the lounge / in a garden room One participant mentioned how they moved from one designated ‘zone’ to another within the home to carry out different activities – they liked this and noted that the need to move from place to place meant there was an opportunity to check and correct themselves if they had been spending too long in one place on one activity. A couple of participants, though, discussed how one chair in their living room was a ‘base’ and from this chair they carried out a range of activities – reading, listening to the radio, watching TV, using the computer, eating their meals – these individuals tended to like how multiple activities were possible within the one location

concern – it was noted how quiet cyclists are, they seemed to appear out of nowhere. Cyclists were also criticised for failing to give way to pedestrians with their dominance of certain routes leading to participants avoiding these paths entirely. A couple of participants were frightened of being knocked over by cyclists - this had happened to one participant. Climbing up kerbs proved difficult for some. A lack of dropped kerbs, or cars blocking dropped kerbs, was annoying – it meant that individuals had to walk around trying to find a place to cross the road. Pavement obstructions were troubling – when responding to images A and B – residential streets with a couple of cars parked on the pavement - several participants picked these parked cars out as a problem. Obstructions were seen to make it difficult to move along a pavement and can prompt you to walk in the road, which is unsafe. Trees and planters on pavements were liked by certain participants – tree lined boulevards were thought attractive and relaxing - but they were disliked by others – they were seen to create an obstruction.

Stairs – several participants spent time discussing their use, or non-use, of stairs – this was typically a topic introduced by the participant (e.g. there was no talking mat image about stairs). A couple noted that stairs in the home or to the home prompted an appreciated episode of physical activity, however, several others reported that they avoided using the stairs in their home or were very aware / wary when using them – following an accident or because of mobility problems – or found it difficult to use them. One participant said she brought all the items she might need during the day downstairs in the morning so that she didn’t need to go back up the stairs until the evening. A couple noted that they would not be able to come and go from their property without a lift. Others commented that while they could manage the stairs at present there will come a time when they won’t be able to and they will have to move. One noted that if they were looking for a property now they might not select their current home because of the stairs. Another commented that, owing to the difficulties encountered when using stairs, it’s better for older people to live on the ground floor, while this location also provides the benefit of access to outside space. Several participants were, though, firmly against ground floor living. For these participants, living above the ground floor delivered a range of benefits – more privacy, greater security, more natural light, better views and fewer disturbances. Double bannisters, wide stairs and straight staircases were all identified as preferred stair designs / features – they were seen to make access up and down stairs easier. Multiple important features - Many features in the home and neighbourhood were identified as important (see talking mats analysis), but, interestingly (and surprisingly given the WHO’s perspective that all were important), the participants didn’t all identify every item in the talking mats exercise as important.

Spacious v’s compact homes – need space to move around in, to avoid knocking into things (which can result in serious injuries for older people), to store things, a spacious kitchen with room for a table was favoured by some. One participant mentioned that by including a table in the kitchen the room can become a more sociable space – without one people tend to just sit in the lounge in front of the TV. One participant commented that as we get older we will spend an increasing amount of time in our bedrooms and so these need to be large enough to accommodate more of our daily lives. One participant felt like a ‘battery hen’ because of the small rooms and low ceilings in her property. Another disliked modern homes because they were seen to provide small rooms with low ceilings. For this participant, although heating her high ceilinged rooms was expensive, she did not want to move to a place with lower ceilings and smaller rooms. Contrasted with this, some participants commented on the desirability of compact homes where everything was ‘to hand’ – however – these participants lived in what appeared to be rather roomy 1 and 2 bed flats, highlighting, of course, the subjective nature of the concepts of ‘spacious’ and ‘compact’.

Green spaces – green spaces did not emerge as a key talking point within the interviews. They were not identified as an important feature by all participants in the talking mats exercise. They were not spontaneously mentioned when individuals were asked to describe aspects of their home that they liked (or disliked). Given the attention green spaces received in the focus group (see FG transcript) the relatively limited attention they received in the interviews was surprising.

Additional important features – participants were asked if they would add any additional items to the 17 items discussed in the talking mats exercise. Additional items identified as important were: • Bin storage facilities – need a space to keep your bin that is close to the street so it is easy to bring out on collection days • Easy to use waste disposal facilities – Biffa bins were too heavy for some people to use, carrying rubbish down stairs and out to one of these bins was difficult / tiring • Recycling facilities (close to the home) • Straight and wide staircases • Double bannisters on stairs • Sound insulation in homes • External lights – outside properties, on streets, at bus stops – provides a sense of safety, there’s a fear of tripping when walking and you can’t see the pavements, older people were said to feel vulnerable in the dark

Pavements – very high priority placed on the presence of pavements, on smooth pavements that are free from obstructions and on pavements that separate cyclists from pedestrians. The emphasis placed on these items has increased with age – when participants were younger, uneven pavements were never a concern. Now uneven pavements can be a barrier to going out alone and can dictate the routes one takes when going out. The poor state of Edinburgh’s pavements was commented upon often. One participant noted, however, that perfectly smooth pavements can be treacherous in the winter months. Cyclists on pavements were a 1

Sociable spaces are valued – participants want to live in, or like living in, places where they know their neighbours and can chat to their neighbours. Empty places that lack people are disliked – this came across in the image based interview where, when selecting image A (a street with people) one of the favoured aspects was the presence of people and the interaction occurring between these people. Image B (an empty street) was frequently disliked partly because it lacked people. There were concerns about becoming socially isolated as you get older and a view that certain environments might encourage this – suburban houses were thought potentially isolating, however, others felt that such environments might have lots of community activities going on or might be places where you’d be looked after by your neighbours as you grew older. In the image based interview, Image F – public open space with lots of litter – was often identified as a well-used place (with the litter being taken as evidence of this) and the participants liked this. There was some support for the provision of communal spaces within / outside houses / residential schemes in order to provide space to meet neighbours. One participant was interested in the idea of co-housing schemes where residents collectively own and manage a scheme that features certain shared spaces – e.g. a shared dining hall, kitchen, garden. Public green space was liked by some partly because it was thought to offer opportunities for interaction; likewise outdoor seating. Such views indicate that the participants believe the design of the built environment impacts on behaviour and on opportunities for pro-social behaviour. One participant noted, though, that we live differently now, there isn’t the collective lifestyle that there used to be, while people aren’t used to living in more communal environments like tenements, it was suggested that planners and designers need to be aware of this when designing places. In reflecting on this interest in sociable spaces, it’s important to note that most participants were recruited through groups and networks. This might suggest that individuals were predisposed to enjoying interacting with others and thus to sociable spaces. Indeed, a number mentioned involvement in a series of groups, networks and committees while all had decided to take part in a research project that involved interacting with researchers. Would older people who do not join any groups and self-select out of a research project that involves interaction with others be equally disposed to sociable spaces? Further, the majority of participants lived alone: perhaps a lack of social interaction in the home partly explained the desire for social interaction outside the home. Would older people who do not live alone be equally interested in opportunities for social interaction outside the home?

Mixed age rather than age exclusive communities - There was support for living in areas featuring a mix of ages – none of the participants favoured communities preserved only for older people. A couple of participants spoke about enjoying seeing and hearing children playing. However, one participant noted that living near young children or teenagers would not appeal because of the potential for excessive noise.

Key -1 0 1 0,5 -0,5

• • • •

Preferences for space, access to natural light and greenery seem to be perennial Feeling vulnerable in the dark, in underpasses – recent concern linked to getting older – prompts a preference for external lighting on streets, outside homes, at bus stops Preference for smooth pavements – recent preference linked to getting older – real concern about the quality and maintenance of pavements Concerns about stairs and about navigating the change in level between the pavement and road surface – recent concerns linked to getting older

Comfort in the familiar – for a number of participants, the home was cosy or comfortable or felt nice to be in because it was a familiar place, they knew it and they knew where everything was - it was their home, somewhere that, in a number of cases, individuals had lived for many years (20 / 30 years) - it was the place where they’d brought up their family Satisfied with the home – most of the participants were generally or very happy with their homes. Just 2 were unhappy – one wanted to move and had put their home on the market (no buyers), another would like to move but could not afford anywhere else. Green spaces – green spaces did not emerge as a key talking point within the interviews. They were not identified as an important feature by all participants in the talking mats exercise. They were not spontaneously mentioned when individuals were asked to describe aspects of their home that they liked (or disliked). A couple of participants had access to a private or shared garden but did not make use of it. One participant actively disliked including trees on streets – they were thought to be a barrier to mobility. Given the attention green spaces received in the focus group (see FG transcript) the relatively limited attention they received in the interviews was surprising. Building design – there was support for differentiation between homes, for including individual features and details – this was seen to impart character – a favoured quality in a home. Variation in built form was contrasted, negatively, with monotonous, box-like, ‘samey’, featureless, characterless buildings. A couple of participants favoured older buildings to buildings with a more modern appearance / design. In the image based exercise, some participants picked out the presence of modern buildings in a place featuring older building as undesirable – they felt the modern buildings should blend in with the older buildings. Measured views – participants would often point to the pros and cons of a particular feature failing to conclusively identify something as either wholly good or wholly bad – this creates issues when designing places, should these features be included or excluded? • Stairs - difficult to negotiate and tiring, but, they keep people active • Wide corridors – important for people in wheelchairs or with sticks, but, you can feel more vulnerable to falls in a wide corridor • Spacious property – you can entertain and accommodate friends / family, store things, move around easily, but, heating bills can be higher, there’s more house to maintain / manage and it’s nice to have everything ‘to hand’ and compact. • Outdoor seating – good to have places to rest and to sit and observe a place (e.g. in a park) but they become a focus for antisocial behaviour Changing preferences - Some preferences and attitudes have changed as participants have got older while some have remained the same: 4

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 1-2-1 INTERVIEWS: TALKING MATS 07.02.14

Talking mats analysis

feature identified by the participant as 'not important' on the talking mats scale feature identified as being neither importantfeature nor unimportant identified as on being the talking neither mats important scale (mid nor point unimportant on the scale) on the talking mats scale (mid point on the scale) feature identified as important on the talking mats scale feature positioned between the neutral and important points on the scale feature positioned between the not important and neutral points on the scale

Safety – relating to threats to the person from others and threats to an individual’s health and wellbeing visible security features: cameras, gates, neighbourhood watch signs - seen by some as an indication of potential threats, made some feel less safe and were thought to make places appear unwelcoming. One participant favoured avoiding visible security features entirely unless there was a real problem with crime. However, some felt these features did impart a sense of safety and several appreciated why a household might want to include these features at their home. Being on a higher floor (rather than ground floor) made people feel safer – one participant spoke about feeling ‘above’ anything that happens on street level. There was a common worry / concern about tripping over in the home or when out. The dark – unlit streets – made people feel vulnerable. Individuals would often reflect on how their health might deteriorate in the future and what impact this might have on how they lived and where they lived. A couple spoke about eventually needing to move to another property because the stairs / size of the current home will become unmanageable.

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 1-2-1 INTERVIEWS: TALKING MATS 07.02.14

Talking mats analysis Key -1 0 1 0,5 -0,5

Mobility, Mood and Place

Wide corridors – important for people in wheelchairs or with sticks, but, you can feel more vulnerable to falls in a wide corridor Spacious property – you can entertain and accommodate friends / family, store things, move around easily, but, heating bills can be higher, there’s more house to maintain / manage and it’s nice to have everything ‘to hand’ and compact.

Changing preferences - Some preferences and attitudes have changed as participants have got older while some have remained the same Preferences for space, access to natural light and greenery seem to be well established Feeling vulnerable – feeling vulnerable in the dark, in underpasses – recent concern linked to getting older Smooth pavements – recent preference linked to getting older

Talking mats analysis Key -1 0 1 0,5 -0,5

feature identified by the participant as 'not important' on the talking mats scale feature identified as being neither important nor unimportant feature identified on the talking as being mats neither scaleimportant (mid pointnor on unimportant the scale) on the talking mats scale (mid point on the scale) feature identified as important on the talking mats scale feature positioned between the neutral and important points on the scale feature positioned between the not important and neutral points on the scale

Note 1: Figures are not to suggest a numerical score, Note they1:are Figures simply are used not as to suggest a way ofarecording numericalif score, a feature theywas areidentified simply used by aas participant a way of as recording important, if a not feature important was identified or neither byimportant a participant nor unimportant as important,(i.e. not important or neither important nor unimportant (i.e. the participant had a neutral view). the participant had a neutral view).

Note 2: The 17 items discussed within the talking Note 2:mats Theexercise 17 itemsare discussed identified within within thethe talking worldmats health exercise org. publication are identified on age within friendly the world cities health as being org.important publication to /on forage older friendly people. cities Oneasmight beingtherefore important expect to / forour older people. One might therefore expect our participants to rate all 17 items as importantparticipants . to rate all 17 items as important .

Note 2: The 17 items discussed within the talking mats Note exercise 2: The 17 areitems identified discussed within within the world the health talking org. matspublication exercise are on identified age friendly within cities theasworld beinghealth important org. publication to / for olderonpeople. age friendly One might citiestherefore as being expect important ourto / for older people. One might therefore expect our participants to rate all 17 items as important . participants to rate all 17 items as important .

EHVF001 EHVF003 EHVF005 EHVM007 EHVF010

Female Female Female Male Female

Totals

0 1 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1

local parks outdoor or green seating spaces

public toilets

pedestrian crossings

pavements separate pedestrians from cyclists and vehicles

streets have pavements

pavements that smooth are free from pavements obstructions

Alias

1 1 0 1 1

1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 0 1

1 1 0,5 1 1

1 1 0 1 1

1 1 1 0 1

1 1 1 1 1

1 1 0 1 1

4,5

EHVF001 EHVF003 EHVF005 EHVM007 EHVF010 EHVF013 EHVF006 Totals

Female Female Female Male Female Female Female

wide adequate passages storage and doors space

83 not supplied 67 73 69 over 65 71

0 1 0 0 0 1 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

In a home / residential development how important In a home is //are: residential development how important is / are: Rooms or spaces ability to that are even floors suitable suitable maintain a large and bathroom kitchen comfortable enough to surfaces facilities facilities temperature move around in 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6

In a neighbourhood how important is / are / isInit that a neighbourhood how important is / are / is it that nearby services and facilities

Lift (in block of flats)

local parks outdoor or green seating spaces

public toilets

pedestrian crossings

pavements separate pedestrians from cyclists and vehicles

streets have pavements

pavements that smooth are free from pavements obstructions

Alias

1 1 1 0 1 0 1

1 1 0 1 1 0 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 0 1 0 1

1 1 0,5 1 1 0 1

1 1 0 1 1 1 -1

1 1 1 0 1 1 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 0 1

1 1 0 1 1 1 1

5,5

Healthy Volunteers - 14 interviewees

item

wide passages and doors

adequate storage space

rooms or spaces that are large enough to move around in

even floors suitable and bathroom surfaces to facilities walk on

homes are able to maintain a close to services comfortable and temperature facilities

suitable kitchen facilities

Lift (in block of flats)

local parks or green spaces

outdoor seating

public toilets

pedestrian crossings

pavements that pavements separate that are streets pedestrian smooth free from have s from pavements obstructio pavements cyclists ns and vehicles 12 11 11 11

No. of participants identified item as important

No. of participants identified item as not important No. of participants identified item as neither important nor not important - neutral view No. of participants identified item as sort of important - between neutral and important on scale No. of participants identified item as sort of not important - between neutral and not important on scale

Notes - healthy volunteers The home generated the most items that were most likely to be identified important. None the items linked theidentified homethe were identified as unimportant. This suggest that people are more invested inlinked /identified are concerned by what present the home what is present within the This perhaps stands to unimportant. reason older people spend longer periods at home, relative to agethan groups, and sowhat might affected by features thestands home, toas the neighbourhood. The home generated the items that were The most likely to be themore as items important. that were None most ofisare the likely items toinbe linked identified toThis the/than as home important. were identified None of as the unimportant. items linked This tointhe might home suggest were identified that people as are moreas This might inin /the are suggest more concerned that people are what more present invested inneighbourhood. inolder the /other are home more concerned whatlonger is present by within isbe present the neighbourhood. inrelative the than This what perhaps isofpresent within reason the older people spend perhaps longer stands periods to reason at home, asbe relative older to other spend age longer groups, periods and of soat might home, berelative more affected totoother age thegroups, features and of so themight home,berelative more affected to the neighbourhood. by the features of the home, relative to the neighbourhood. The home generatedasthe most items thatofwere most Thelikely hometotogenerated be as most important. items that None were of the most items likely linked tomight betoidentified themost home as were important. identified None ashome of unimportant. thegenerated items This might tomost the suggest home were that identified people as more unimportant. invested in are might more suggest concerned that people by what areisneighbourhood. more present invested the in home / are than more what concerned is present by what within isinvested the present neighbourhood. home This than perhaps what isby stands present toiswithin reason theas people spend This perhaps periods stands attomore home, reason as home older to the other people age spend groups, longer andperiods sotorelative might at neighbourhood. home, be more relative affected toThis other by the age features groups, of and the home, so might relative more topeople the affected neighbourhood. by the features the home, relative the by neighbourhood. 3 participants identified all 17 items as important. 1 participant 3 participants only identified all 10 17 items items as as important. important. 1 participant 31 participants participant identified only identified identified oneallitem 17 10(public items itemsas toilets) asimportant. important. as not11important. participant participant One only identified might identified have one10 item expected items (public asallimportant. toilets) participants as 1not participant toimportant. identifyidentified allOne items might as oneimportant have item expected (public given toilets) all that participants the as not WHO important. asserts to identify that One allall might items items have asare important expected important given all to participants / that for older the WHO people. to identify assertsallthat items all items as important are important given that to / for theolder WHOpeople. asserts that all items are important to / for older people. Wide passages and doors - item most likely to be identified Wide passages as neitherand important doors -nor item unimportant, most likely to and beitem identified least likely as neither to be important identified as norimportant unimportant, and item least likely to be identified as important Adequate storage space, even floors and surfaces to Adequate walk on and storage suitable space, kitchen evenand floors bathroom and surfaces facilitiesto- walk itemsonmost andlikely suitable to be kitchen identified and as bathroom important facilities - items most likely to be identified as important Public toilets - only item identified as not important (and this was only by one participant) Homes being close to amenities and facilities, pedestrian crossings, including pavements all streets, having pavements separate from cyclists and vehicles, having pavements are freehaving fromincluding obstructions andhaving smooth pavements - from items most likely to beseparate identified aspavements 'sort pavements of from important' -free i.e. positioned the points on the talking mats Homes being close to amenities and with facilities, pedestrian crossings, pavements with allpedestrian streets, having that separate pedestrians from cyclists and vehicles, are pavements free from obstructions andpedestrians smooth - items most likely having to be between identified as neutral 'sort of and important' i.e. items positioned between the and important on the talking scale. Homes being closeincluding to that amenities andpedestrians facilities, Homes being close crossings, topavements amenities including and pavements facilities, pedestrian with that all streets, crossings, pavements pavements that separate withpavements all pedestrians streets,that having cyclists and that vehicles, having that cyclists are anditems from vehicles, obstructions and pavements smooth that pavements are freeimportant -from items-obstructions most likely to and besmooth identified pavements asscale. 'sortneutral of- items important' most - likely i.e. items topoints bepositioned identified between as 'sortmats ofthe important' neutral and - i.e.important items positioned points onbetween the talking the mats neutral scale. and important points on the talking mats scale.

83 70

wide adequate passages storage and doors space

Female Female

EHVF003

not Female supp lied

EHVF004 EHVF005 EHVF006 EHVM007 EHVF008 EHVF009 EHVF010

Female Female Female Male Female Female Female

1 0 0 0 1 1 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 0 1 1 1

1 1 0 1 1 1 1

1 0 1 1 1 0 1

1 1 1 0 1 1 1

1 0,5 1 1 1 1 1

1 0 -1 1 1 1 1

1 1 0 0 1 1 1

EHVF013

Not Female prov ided

EHVM014 EHVM015 EHVF016

Male 62 Male 59 Female 85

1 1 1

73 67 71 73 64 74 69

0 1

1 1

In a home / residential development how important isIn/aare home / is it/ residential that: development how important is / are / is it that: In a neighbourhood how important is / are / is it that Rooms or spaces homes are even floors ability to that are close to suitable suitable Lift (in local parks and maintain a outdoor public pedestrian streets have large services bathroom kitchen block of or green surfaces to comfortable seating toilets crossings pavements enough to and facilities facilities flats) spaces walk on temperature move facilities around in 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0,5 0 1

EHVF001 EHVF002

Totals

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 1-2-1 INTERVIEWS: SUMMARY

Age

In a neighbourhood how important is / are / isInit that a neighbourhood how important is / are / is it that nearby services and facilities

Lift (in block of flats) 1 1 1 0 1

Gender

Age

wide adequate passages storage and doors space

83 not supplied 67 73 69

Gender

Alias

Age

Note 1: Figures are not to suggest a numerical Notescore, 1: Figures they are aresimply not to used suggest as a way numerical of recording score, ifthey a feature are simply was used identified as aby way a participant of recordingasifimportant, a feature was not important identified by or neither a participant important as important, nor unimportant not important (i.e. theor neither important nor unimportant (i.e. the participant had a neutral view). participant had a neutral view).

Gender

1 1

1 1 14

1 1

1 1 1

1 1 0,5

11,5

1 1

0 1 11

0 1

1 1 12

0 0

1 0,5 11

1 1

1 0,5 10

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1

1 0,5 10,5

1 0,5

1 0 12,5

Design Report_ Volume 1 HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 1-2-1 INTERVIEWS: FOCUS GROUP TRANSCRIPT Mobility Mood and Place Edinburgh fieldwork Healthy Volunteers: Focus group

Researcher A:

What we’d like you to do is think about ideal places, ideal places at different scales, at the level of the city, the level of the neighbourhood and the level of your own home, and the idea is for you to think about a place that you like to be, first off in the city, so maybe in Edinburgh a place you like to be in Edinburgh, if you’ve got that in your mind and then thinking about what are the characteristics and qualities of that area that you particularly like. So if I was to think about somewhere that I liked in Edinburgh I might think of Carlton Hill and I quite like that because of the views it offers over the city, the fresh air you get when you’re up there, I quite like the sort of the Greek style structure that’s up there, it seems quite an interesting type of building and perhaps unexpected to find, and I quite like

EHVM007:

Edinburgh’s disgrace (laughs)

EHVF011:

of the city where you can be walking outside where actually you sometimes feel a bit isolated and yes and vulnerable

All:

And I think the Botanics aren’t like that they’re actually so there are, there are in north Edinburgh there are some pathways that are designed for pedestrians but actually they’re on an old railway track and actually

I would want to live in Carlton or Juniper Green because I think that’s the nicest part of the city because everything’s low still there’s no flats and high rise and there’s loads of country and you can take your dogs a walk without any hassle and the pavements are lovely, everything is, there’s no hills, unless you go into the Dell but I think that’s, I have 2 friends who live out there and I just love it, so I must admit now that I’m getting older, especially I stay in [name of place] and of course we’ve got these wonderful things called underpasses [said sarcastically]

EHVF011:

Bane of any person’s life it’s absolutely despicable that we’ve still got these underpasses and I don’t have a car, my husband I look after him so I have a trolley when I go shopping and coming up the hills from the underpasses are starting to kill me, I stop and I hate that I have to do it so I know I just wish people had thought about all these things before they built these ghastly underpasses

Mumm (murmuring agreement)

So I feel that I’ve got a lot to talk about in regards to how bad it can be for older people so I love going out to juniper green because that’s where I’d like to live

EHVF009:

Have you been up the Nelson Monument?

EHVF006: Researcher A:

No, no, steps, no (laughs) so those are some of the characteristics or qualities that I would pick out that I like about Carlton Hill but what I’d like you to do for the next few minutes is to shout out, think about a place you like to be in the city, thinking about some of the characteristics that you like and qualities that you like about it, what’s the appeal of that place, and I’ll write them down, then we’ll move onto a place within your neighbourhood, and you can define neighbourhood however you want, again shout out some of the characteristics that you like about your neighbourhood, that, that, draws you to it, that’s appealing about it again I’ll write them down and then we can have a discussion about the different ideas and the different things that we’ve come up with. Does that make sense to everybody?

All:

I would like to go to the Botanical Gardens I think the Botanics we’re so blessed with those wonderful areas, and they’re you can be at any time of the year you’re aware of the changing season, lovely things to see, you can hire a buggy

EHVF012:

If you want or need to and the paths are very well maintained and there are café restaurants there and a very nice shop if shopping’s a problem for you the shops there there’s a wonderful choice, the disabled parking is good, so I think that in Edinburgh it’s one of the lovely things we have round here

I agree with you and I agree with you I think it’s terrific that we have the buggies but they’re only two hour slots which I’m grateful for but I could spend hours there (laughs)

Researcher A: EHVF005:

EHVF006:

Researcher A:

EHVF005:

Do you want us to say a place and then say what it is about it?

You could say a place or you could just say the characteristics and the qualities it’s up to you

Can I just, I would have certainly said the Botanics but I think something I would add to it it’s all of those things about outside and nature but it’s actually it always feels safe and I think there are areas

All:

(Laugh)

Yes! Plenty of seats, if you haven’t got a buggy

EHVF009:

Right peace and quiet, yeah

EHVF011:

EHVF004:

All:

EHVF009:

Researcher B:

EHVF005:

There’s the Meadows to and Brunstfield Park and that’s a huge area

EHVF004:

EHVF008:

Researcher A:

EHVF008:

Everywhere no matter where you go

EHVF006: Open spaces

EHVF008:

All:

EHVF006:

EHVF005:

Yes, Mmmmm (murmuring agreement)

Researcher A:

EHVF005:

And you know and smile at each other and you know they’re not, there’s that aspect

EHVF008:

EHVF004: EHVF005:

EHVM007:

Because it doesn’t get the sun and actually that was why I elected to be as high as I could afford

EHVF004:

Sunshine, [garbled] shaped like that and the sun comes up and it goes right round my whole house love it, it makes such a difference

I’m like you I elected to go high as long as I had a lift (laughs) so I could get some light and view where possible

EHVF005:

So so accessibility is always interpreted in terms of ground floor

Same here I’ve got a flat that’s like that

I think myself personally I mean I’m 4 in a block, I’m upstair so I have 12 steps up to my front door and I’ve got 4 steps up to my door and I’ve got 8 steps up to my house but in a way I’m glad I’ve got them because they make me and so I’m upstair now what I have found talking to people is they like being upstair because they feel safe

All:

Yes, yes

Yeah, (murmuring agreement)

EHVF003

EHVF005:

EHVF009:

That’s what old people want bungalows and all the rest of it, just put me up in the sky please (laughs)

Sunshine, space

I don’t know, I’m not sure

I would agree with that our, we live in a Victorian townhouse so we’ve got 65 stairs inside the house once you come in the front door 65 stairs so we’re on 4 floors at the back 3 floors at the front but the people before us had moved their kitchen upstairs because they’ve had 2 elderly relatives who lived around the basement floor and at first we thought about moving it back down to where the kitchen in the original house would have been but we’ve left it there and I’m so pleased because again we live on sort of the first floor to the front, kitchen I don’t have much of a view I look out at the corner of tenements but you can still see down you know down a wee bit you can sometimes see snow if there’s been snow in fife but we’re that bit higher up we get light our sitting room in the morning with the sun in the morning is just wonderful, my late father in law used to say that when he retired he was just going to sit in that window and read his book, and he did for a lot of the time but it is I’m so glad my kitchen is not down because I spend a lot of time in it

EHVF009:

EHVF005:

And it’s interesting how many times when I’ve bought houses I’ve gone in and said where does the sun rise and people have said I don’t know

All:

[Laugh]

EHVF005:

My flat doesn’t face in the way that it would get sun in the way that I would like but I’ve installed a lot of mirrors you can do an awful lot with mirrors I’ve got mirror panelling right the way round the house and there’s a new block that’s been built tenements since I moved into mine and the windows of that reflect the sun back into my room and it just reflects back into my mirrors and so that although I get light I don’t get direct sun but unless first thing in the morning it depends on the time of year because it depends on the sun it comes right the way round into the front room the bedroom bathroom and kitchen first thing in the morning in the summer it’s lovely

Oh yes, yes (Laugh)

All:

So that was one element and, and, I’m going to forget what I was going to say (laughs)

That’s right, yes

EHVF001:

EHVF003

It’s also right it’s a senior moment

We need the designers the architects and everybody else concerned to be thinking about that

EHVF004:

EHVM007:

EHVF002

It’s interesting because it’s just that much difference [indicates a small distance] in the height than it was before but now it’s comfortable you see that’s all it needs is that much difference

Researcher B:

Absolutely in housing as you say it can be the difference in many things just 20 millimetres 20 centimetres could be the difference between something being satisfactory or not being satisfactory

Oh yes! yes

Yeah, and in my own flat which is very small I now appreciate the smallness of it because I can’t really fall over in it because I’ve either got a piece of furniture to grab or, or the hall for instance is so narrow I mean I just do my exercise in the hall and I hold onto each side of the wall (laughs) and that’s all it is and my kitchen is minuet quite opposite to a farm kitchen but I love it because I don’t have to move I just go round it almost without moving and get everything out or put it away or cook and it’s just it’s much easier than a big kitchen would be fine if you had a young family or you still had lots of people to entertain but that’s the attraction of a small place it’s you feel safe in it you don’t feel you’re just going to tumble over and lose your balance, which I do a lot

EHVF001:

All:

And I think that’s what’s happening

When you hear people talking round this table now I’m not being nasty but we’re all a bit elderly, when you think about what young people want so really your housing estates your new ones are going to have to say think of the elderly

EHVF009:

Laugh

EHVM007:

EHVF001:

I’ll meet you there (laughs)

Think of people with families, think of working like professionals I suppose

All: 19

EHVF004:

And I asked my the other people there I told them I was coming to this meeting and I said have you got anything I can say to add and I was told a) steps going up stairs within a block of flats should be very small not deep

Why health and safety!

EHVF002

EHVF005:

I don’t see those things anymore and I wonder why is it that we don’t see that because so much space is wasted in that corner cupboard

EHVF001:

EHVF012:

Nail on the head it’s about money

Yes, my friends who live in Denmark their house have this it comes out

EHVF005:

All:

Absolutely

Absolutely right but that is that is the problem and I understand that you know compared with rooms in the 1930s or whatever they’ve shrunk by 25% or something like that you know

EHVF003

Exactly so it’s appropriate for everybody

EHVF012:

Adjustable maybe adjustable worktops I mean without making it look really quite clinical you know maybe to suit most people

But one of the problems with sort of privately developed spaces is that obviously they they try to kind of make things as small as possible and things like bedrooms and stuff in modern buildings are very tiny and that isn’t I mean I take your point if you want to grab things but you also need some room to get around furniture and pull out drawers and various other things like that and I I think because they they try to that’s where they try to kind of pinch a bit of space is by making bedrooms very tiny

Yes

EHVF010:

Yes, we have that in a cupboard that we inherited from [name] parents’ house and it was specially designed, my mother in law had this designed for the corner of her kitchen and luckily it fits the corner of our kitchen to (laughs) but it’s great it looks just like an ordinary cupboard but when you do this there’s this semi-circle

All:

Yes, super It comes out somehow Great

EHVF010:

Yeah, yeah

The other thing in that unit again that she had insisted on is there’s a table that folds away and you just it just looks like a bar between the drawers and the cupboard

EHVF002

All:

I’d like to talk about storage space per se, nowadays but they cost a lot of money you get these things where you pull the thing out and it’s got baskets inside so you can get into it I have a problem I can’t get down to the bottom level of anything my fridge is a bar fridge so everything is down there on the floor and I can’t get into the back of the cupboards at all it’s impossible because I just cannot get in there so I look at these things and I was hoping she would get one put in her nice new kitchen [points to a friend at the FG] but it was too much they they but if the students could come up with that kind of ease of getting at stuff

Yes I’ve seen that

EHVF010:

And you pull it out and

EHVF009:

All:

And the legs come down

Yes, yes

EHVF010:

EHVF002

There was a time in the 70s where you could get a turntable which went into the corner cupboard

And the legs well the legs are there they lie flat against the cupboard but they come out as you pull it down

All:

EHVF009:

Yes, yes 21

Yes, yes

EHVF012:

I mean putting an extra building in that happened exactly to us the nearest development to us prior to the one they’re thinking of developing now was [name of scheme] and we had our footpath access which we insisted on having on through to [name of road] but what we can see our footpath went on to a space with gardens on either side and blocks through to the archway onto [name of road] what they did was they built another block across the front so now you have the gateway and you sort of twist round you’ve got a double blind corner and the building that they put in has its end wall right up against our adjoining area wall district wall and they have no space no light the ground flats right up against the boundary of another property and that was not in the plans that we approved they put that up once they were on the site

All:

Yeah

It’s so that they can actually add on an extra flat and make more money

Children

Yes, that’s right

Researcher B:

All:

That doesn’t sound very safe, the thing is I certainly wouldn’t say that modern volume house builders were providing appropriate models you know they’re driven by the profit whatever rather than anything else

Flexible space

EHVF011:

EHVF009:

Researcher A:

So this time then we’re moving on from talking about the level of the city and the neighbourhood down to the level of the home so when we were first introducing ourselves a number of people picked up issues around the home about things like storage space and stairs and sort of space within rooms to 15

EHVF009:

EHVF005:

Precisely

EHVF004:

Yeah you know everybody gets in the kitchen and I think this is what’s coming back

EHVF004:

I go to an exercise class at the commonwealth pool (laughs)

Yes 17

EHVF009:

EHVF004:

Yeah, yeah, that’s right

EHVF001:

And when I was saying you know where do you roll your pastry and the guy was looking at me like

Well sunshine makes you feel good

All:

And living spaces as well yes

All:

EHVF005:

EHVF001:

And that’s very true because I’ve got a lot of friends and they all say you know I do feel safe up in my house but I’m sorry you get old and you forget what you’re going to talk about (laughs) but I just feel that kitchens my kids they stay in [name of place] and they’re changing their house because they’re finding they want a bigger kitchen they want to make their kitchen and I’ve been talking to a lot of younger people and seemingly they want their kitchen to be more of a focus like it used to be in the old days

EHVF001:

Can I just pick up the thing about kitchen, I was just going to say that I looked at quite a lot of new builds and they don’t actually have kitchens they have the corner of the living room

Well what we’re really talking about are smart homes from babyhood to senior-hood

EHVF012:

EHVF001:

EHVF010:

EHVF005:

EHVF009:

EHVF003

Talking about kitchens I recently had my kitchen done by the housing association and they consulted me on every step of that and really appreciated that, how cupboards open, height of things and it was really appreciated

Stopped that it’s true, it was lovely [garbled] we had great

EHVF002

Yes, yes

Space, yes

That’s right, absolutely right

EHVF011:

All:

EHVF006:

[Break – focus group breaks up, some people continue talking ,and others get a drink or go to the toilets]

I went into Newhouse about 2 years ago I thought god it’s a bombed area it just looked awful and loads of space but no flowers and like you say no ball games

That I can do my pasty and things on and of course it goes away completely so it doesn’t take up any space

EHVF001:

Oh, no, (groaning)

It’s too far

You then because you’ve missed your step because you don’t know if it’s going to be a deep one or a shallow one

EHVF004:

Oh yes, yes

All:

EHVF002

And that ties in with something I’ve come to be feeling this morning having been to the planning meeting yesterday afternoon but we were talking about external spaces we were talking about house building we were talking about the positioning of gardens and vehicle access and all the rest of it we were not discussing the interior of the flats are the power points at a reasonable height power points that would be absolutely super for everybody whatever age cupboards at the right height doors wide enough to take wheelchairs just in case there are wheelchairs there are there ramps at certain areas rather than steps, it’s on a site where there are hills and these things we did not discuss we were looking at the externals not the internals perhaps your students can be challenged to take the internals into account as well

EHVF009:

EHVF006:

Where’s that right the Southside of Edinburgh a park where there was seats down in the grass and an auditorium with a stream running by and there was a little place for the orchestra or a band to play and there used to be dog shows, plays oh all sorts of things but health and safety

There’s the commonwealth pool

Will all have to be taken into consideration so everybody can be sort of happy but mix them because it’s good for everybody

Because you can’t get up deep steps and to have a mixture is even worse

All:

Where’s that (laughs)

EHVM007:

EHVF001:

EHVF004:

EHVF006:

The galley kitchens that so many houses have, you can’t have two people in there working because they’ll get under each other’s feet so a bigger kitchen is a good idea also talking about pastry I have a pull out draw

EHVF011:

Sunshine comes right into my front room

Yes definitely

Well again my kitchen I mean I grew up on a farm but people visiting have said it’s just like a farm kitchen because it isn’t the original kitchen which was much smaller it was one of the main bedrooms in the original house so we’ve got plenty of space I mean I can get the whole family in there’s room to roll pastry and things so again space

EHVF002

When I was in China a very interesting observation is this you know everything is flattened and then everything is going up and they have very large housing areas like an estate and they always have a very large park area that is fitted with all sorts of gizmos that you and I could use you know these like walking thingies you know and things to do with your hands and the Chinese get out there early in the morning and they go and do tai chi and fan things and this sort of stuff I never see anything like that here and I don’t know why why is it the Chinese can go and play musical instruments in the park and sing opera and do all these things but we seem to be but there’s nowhere for us to go and do it there either I mean the parks that they have there cater for that

And the number of places you go to and it says no ball games and you think why

Yes, yes

EHVF002

EHVF005:

EHVF006:

Why, yeah

All:

What’s that (laughs)

EHVF010:

EHVF005:

OK, yep, sounds good, so yeah if that’s ok

EHVF002

All:

EHVF002

I, I feel maybe we’re the last generation that cooks and who I wanted a kitchen with a window and plenty of surfaces

Yes, that’s right

EHVF001:

Researcher A:

We used to have excuse me a minute we used to have in Rayburn Valley

EHVF005:

I’m trying to not say very much because you’re all saying really interesting things but just a couple of things I’d like to respond to the space outside the parliament is I agree a fantastic space the thing is that much of what happened there was accidental because

Thinking about Manchester the centre of Manchester is like being in a

Yeah

EHVF011:

[name of place] and [name of place] when we were first there we had the most amazing green spaces and we had woods and we had farms and we had everything now there’s nothing

Researcher B:

EHVF005:

But it’s also that those open spaces enable that to happen as well and they’re definitely part of it

The telephone isn’t ringing (laughs)

All:

Just going on what you’ve said there one of the huge differences that’s been made in Edinburgh is Niddrie I remember Niddrie as really another bomb site really and it had nothing when you go through Niddrie now there’s social housing private housing all kinds of different there’s a huge vibrance down there now and they’ve built that fantastic library and the east Edinburgh, is it east Edinburgh housing place? or something, what they need to do now is to get some more shops in there and they have they’ve planted hundreds of trees daffodils everything and that’s one huge turnaround just amazing down there

EHVF001:

Yes, yes

It’s on a human scale, exactly

Shall we just grab a drink or go to the loo and then carry on rather than

Of course they do because it makes them respect them more and get to know them that we’re not all old biddies that we have minds that we can talk and play

It’s a major difference

All:

EHVF009:

This is a feature of living in Scotland I have to say it really is, it’s an extraordinarily friendly place

EHVF001:

And also younger people want older people it’s

EHVF003

EHVF005:

It’s on a human scale as well

It just makes you feel alive, it just makes you feel happy

EHVF012:

EHVF003

Good point

And sometimes they are dropped and then you cross the road and you’ve got three pavements on top of each other to get up so suddenly you can’t get up the other side

EHVF005:

Researcher A:

EHVF005:

Researcher B:

EHVF006:

Yeah and the drop pavements that they say are dropped are not really because they’re

And definitely too early that means I have to catch the night bus and I have to pay (Laughs)

I don’t want to stall your discussion but there’s time for a 10 min break, do people want to stop for a break or do you want to keep discussing

I would hate, I really would I love walking along the street and seeing the wee one across the road and he goes hello and I speak to him that’s living

Yeah, yeah

EHVF012:

EHVF002

EHVF001:

No, no

All:

And things like drop pavements and stuff that’s what I’ve discovered with pushing a push chair it’s really hard so I appreciate

Go in the morning

Yes absolutely

Can I just say that there’s a big difference between the open spaces in working class areas than in the you know Bruntsfields and you know they’re less visual they’re sometimes very bare there’s sometimes nothing there and sometimes not very nice things happen there

EHVF012:

EHVM007:

All:

It’s I think is something that socially minded people would think is wonderful [garbled] about getting about Edinburgh you’re never far from taking the next corner and seeing one of the landmarks and if you know where the landmark is there’s Arthurs seat there’s Carlton hill there’s the castle and you can always see one or the other of these and if you point yourself in that direction you it’s a city you can’t get lost in I think that’s unique

That’s the main thing about Edinburgh I think it’s a compact city where people are able it’s easy to walk from one end to the other you can easily walk from one area of interest to another and I mean if you’re looking at larger places say Manchester where part of your study is based it’s going to be totally different because Manchester is bigger and I would imagine much more difficult to locate the [garbled] that we have in Edinburgh we’ve got absolutely everything you could hope to have culturally London for example with all the features and everything we’ve got it all here within a very easy compass we are very very lucky and we’ve also got the parliament here so we’ve got a centre of gravity for our own little country

There’s nowhere for children to play in [name of place] at all, not at all, in [name of place] we have one swing park gone, Broomhouse have 5 swing parks so you start to look around and I mean I must admit I live in a working class area we’ve been putting out parcels for children that have no food I mean [garbled] so I see the bad side of it and I love I would love to change it all it would be so wonderful if you made and we have been putting a lot of input into the new housing estates and they are going to be fantastic I mean we’ve made it for working class and pensioners and disabled we’re mixing everybody up because old people want young people round them

EHVF009:

You don’t need to have to go anywhere to get to the sea

EHVF009:

All:

Yes! [laugh]

EHVF005:

And nature

EHVF009:

I’ve been in Edinburgh since oh the early 90s and every time I drive along the Mound I just always just take a depth breath

EHVF011:

All:

Oh yes, yes

EHVF003

And that is one of the things about about Edinburgh and the fact that we have you know dark winters and so on but the assumption is that always older people want to be on the ground floor which is actually the darkest the darkest area

All:

EHVF012:

Hillhead Park?

Researcher B:

We had the first skyscrapers in the whole world in Scotland

EHVF002

But they’re quite I mean the green spaces in Edinburgh are also quite sociable in the sense that people kind of greet each other

EHVF005:

EHVF001:

It’s just totally history, it’s wonderful

Researcher A:

EHVF001:

Even music I just love the 60s music the 50s music mad about it and that cheers me up I mean I can be really cheesed off I put on my radio find a station and right away I’ll be you know you start

And nature yeah, so what is it then about nature, green space that you find so appealing that makes you want to be there?

All:

EHVF012:

And also the way that Holyrood Park is laid out that people like myself are able to drive right round and park and just look at the views whether you want to walk or it’s great, yeah

As a city Edinburgh is a beautiful city I mean the royal mile is just one of the most magical streets in the whole world

EHVF001:

I would agree with all that has been said but I would really advise that if there were more parking spaces for the disabled because even though everything is very close to each other and it is a very compact city and beautiful in every way but there could be a lot more disabled parking spaces because someone like myself who uses sticks but also uses a chair it’s not easy to always get my wheelchair out so I would walk to places and within the walking distance there’s not always parking

EHVF011:

[speaking over each other] Light Space Warmth Sunshine Light Light definitely

It’s really got something, I think we often forget about that

EHVF001:

Pilrig Park it’s very good

It is an outdoor room you know you’ve got the crags on one side and this lovely open space but what happened was those pools have been co-opted by local children and young families probably from Dummy Dykes which is public housing was public housing and so on beautiful sunny days you get in front of the legislature that’s a really informally sort of scene almost family based scene of young children running around those pools and I think that sense of informality because it wouldn’t happen outside the houses of parliament in England

Yes, yes

Yes, yes, the sea and country on our doorstep we’re just so lucky and all it would take to get from the centre of Edinburgh into the country and the centre of London into the country

Invereith park no one’s mentioned that it’s a huge area

move around so it’s those types of issues that we’d like to pick up again but perhaps if we begin from maybe a positive place what is it about the home that makes it easy to be in or pleasurable to be in what do you like about your home or maybe homes you’ve been to or visited?

EHVF003

Yes, yes

EHVF011:

[Laugh]

EHVF009:

Yes yes

And cultural centres, yeah

It’s very central and for the tourists it’s very central and lots of things there to do for them

All:

It’s like being in a great ravine or something you don’t often feel that in Edinburgh even when there are tall tenements it’s still they’re not they’re still relatively small compared to a lot of other cities

All:

It’s a well-known fact isn’t it that if you’re feeling down a bit depressed I mean I’m not talking about poor souls who really have bad depression but you can be fed up everyone can be fed up but if you can put your coat on and go out within I would say about 5 minutes. you start feeling a bit better

EHVF009:

What I really love about Edinburgh is the fact that how it’s changed, I wasn’t born here but I grew up in Edinburgh until I was about 25 and then departed south of the border before then it was quite a dour old place you know everything shut down at 10 o’clock and everything nothing was open on a Sunday

And that focus on nature you know not many cities have got an 80 million year old volcano

[Laugh]

EHVF009:

And cultural centres

Yes, yes

EHVF003 All:

Also the pavement surfaces are good there and in that whole area the pavement surfaces are fairly level it’s quite quite a good place to walk if you have mobility problems.

Well he came out with a ruling that they should not go out onto the grass between there and the university halls and of course the athletes were going out there if it was a sunny day it was lovely to be outside for a minute or two and then they would just come back into the pool through the back door and he got annoyed at the dirt that was being brought in through the back door so anyway he issued an edict that nobody should go out onto the grass and come back in and that really annoyed some of the athletes and I remember standing just at the entrance between the pool and the teaching pool which was where they were coming in and watching with some amusement as the Canadian relay team who were all 6 foot 6 big fellas and they picked up the guard who was posted at the door and carried him over to the main pool and just dropped him in

Box

And just a bus ride away there’s Portobello Beach

EHVF001:

EHVF009:

I was going to say that it seems to be Edinburgh there’s a proximity between urbanity and community to nature so it’s not like they are very separate as they are in other towns or in other places because I was thinking about the big parks that are up at sight hill and I was thinking they are almost too open the thing about the water of Leith is it’s got real place qualities it’s also a route so you’ve got something instantly to do on it and you tend to meet people and so that sense of community in the city of different places like Bruntsfield and Stockbridge that have their own distinct character both socially and architecturally and access to nature really close by so you can go from being in a really fantastic street to being in a green space beside the river very quickly

Mmmmm (murmuring agreement)

Mm, yes, yeah

Everywhere you go in Edinburgh there’s always greenery

Yes yes

Yes, yes

EHVF010:

EHVM007:

There’s things to look at I mean it’s very visual that’s what’s nice about it you know the colours that’s what I found with my granddaughter when she was wailing you’ve just got to take her outside and you know the trees and the clouds and all those type of things and I think that’s probably quite a primitive sort of thing

EHVF001:

All:

EHVF008:

All:

I don’t think many cities have that and a view of the castle it’s superb, and the other one else no one has mentioned cultural centres now my favourite little corner for that is around the Usher Hall you’ve got the Usher Hall you’ve got the Traverse Theatre, you’ve got the Filmhouse you’ve got the Odeon cinema and you’ve got the Kings Theatre just up a little bit you’ve got quite a few interesting little shops and it's all within very easy reach and an excellent, excellent bus services all of them we are very fortune with our buses I’m just dreading the trams coming in and spoiling some of them

[Laugh]

EHVF003

There’s a nice space outside the parliament

Another one to mention is the Princes Street Gardens to have that right in the centre of the city is an absolute delight

EHVF009:

Don’t say his name (laughs)

Let’s hope the trams don’t damage it

I think the fact to that we’re all retired and therefore we spend a lot more time in our homes or flats and so to get out into a nice green area is very important really psychologically it lifts your spirits and I have a great thing about having one’s spirits lifted I think it’s very important

Researcher A:

No matter how disabled we are

EHVF010:

All:

I was going to add another ideal place there’s some nice places to sit outside and have a drink or a cup of coffee or meeting people you know there’s lots of places in the city that are good, not not all of them are as accessible as others some of them are down steps and various other things but it it it is I really appreciate that that it’s very easy to find a venue to meet up with people and socialise which is great, and I don’t have a, and I did have a car when I moved to Edinburgh and I decided that it wasn’t worth having because I didn’t use it so (laughs) and I think that you know the buses I think that’s absolutely great, really really wonderful

EHVF009:

[Exclamations of surprise – gosh! oh my! etc.]

EHVF005:

So it seems like we’ve picked out a lot of things around green space that seems to be something we’re really keen on but then also the combination maybe between greenspace and historic buildings are those particularly strong appeals of the city to you?

EHVF006:

EHVF005:

EHVF012:

EHVF009:

Well for me the Royal Commonwealth Pool, because it’s generally a very happy place because people go there to exercise and to meet friends and so on, it’s also a place of achievement, and having been responsible for the 1986 Games there the competitive swimming, the achievements come straight back and so do the faces and even the actions of some of the athletes one funny one was the then manager of the commonwealth pool [name]

EHVF001:

That’s something for the council to think about I suppose

Yes yes

[Laugh]

The older you get the less you care

EHVF004:

Brilliant

All:

I was able to go for the first time well because I live quite near the [name of park] now and with my scooter to look at the Mela and join in the Mela this year and it was great just to be able to go from my flat to be part of all that it’s great

And it’s those sort of memories that come back maybe not the ones that should but

All:

Researcher B:

It’s all anonymous we don’t use people’s names (laughs)

Level

EHVF002

Space

Yeah, yeah Yes yes

EHVM007:

There’s so many lovely open spaces

[Laugh]

Researcher A:

Maybe if they could regulate it to make it all

EHVF004:

Researcher A:

Saturday afternoon Boots and shoe shops all closed

EHVF009:

All:

EHVF002

EHVF011:

The Queens gallery is very good because that is somewhere that we can go

EHVF002

EHVF009:

I know it was a lovely moment

Pilrig Park, and the [name of park - garbled] as well

Religious I think but not it’s so multicultural and it’s vibrant and it’s full of people and to me there’s just such an acceptance of all nationalities we don’t have the problems in Edinburgh that they’ve got in other parts of the country, totally multicultural fantastic

EHVF006:

All:

Grey

And Ramsey Court is an exceptional place absolutely beautiful architecture but the point about the old city and the architecture looking at it what we’re thinking about today is how do you make it accessible to older people very often it’s not very accessible and if you’re going to live in some of these ancient buildings it’s virtually impossible and they’re not adaptable and they’re listed so you have to be very careful and certain cities what you do and what you can do

EHVF012:

And when I first moved up here 6 years ago my ambition was to to walk from one end to the other from the Pentlands right through

EHVF009:

All:

[Laugh]

EHVM007:

The access is not very good in some places that’s true it’s tricky

I I find that going to the Stocksbridge area is so attractive and you can do all sorts of things I don’t like shopping but there’s plenty of places to walk around and to walk next to the river for me is really wonderful and coming from where I do to be able to walk by the river anywhere along the river

EHVF002

My folks had a guest house and it was always multicultural to me but in those days it seemed to be terrible dour and very I don’t know

Yeah it is

EHVF002

EHVF004:

Yes yes

EHVF009:

EHVF012:

Yeah

EHVF004:

Absolutely

EHVM007:

All:

Is there any others, any ideal places in the city?

In Leith, but unfortunately well I have a mobility scooter that I use in the local area it’s a little one but I tried to go on to the water of Leith walkway but unfortunately it was too steep very steep for the

That’s what I like is the water of Leith I think the fact it runs right through the city is just

Can I just say having been in England for 30 odd years and having come back to Edinburgh the stunning architecture is

All:

EHVF002

Oh! Don’t mention the trams!

It’s now May, it was going to be April, first they didn’t tell us which year now apparently it’s next year (laugh)

EHVF012:

Yeah, yep

EHVF006:

There’s a bit of green grass just down from just on the Mound just down from the assembly hall as well the little focus that they have with the shields and things to commemorate things it’s just a tiny green space but it’s just above the gardens and it’s beautiful

True, true

EHVF002

All:

Yes you could spend the day there quite happily

And also I was a very keen gardener and I can’t do in my own garden what I used to do and there to find lovely gardens that I can appreciate without any effort on my part is super

Mumm (murmuring agreement)

I’m at the end

EHVF005: EHVM007:

EHVF006:

All:

One thing about the water of Leith is that I attempted to go on to the start of it or the end of it I can’t remember which but in Leith

And its’ absolutely, whoever did it, it is absolutely stunning

And actually they’re a bit scary and so it’s actually nice to have open air spaces where you feel safe I think that matters

All:

(Laugh)

EHVF012:

EHVF011:

EHVF012:

Absolutely

And down Stocksbridge through the back I don’t know the names of the roads yet down there but they’ve tried to design some of the modern architecture to fit in with the old

To fit in

EHVF009:

And you’ve got places to sit down and things like that

EHVF006:

EHVM007:

EHVF011:

EHVF009:

Yeah, yeah

EHVF005:

Yes, yes

Yeah, yes

OK, over to you then

All:

EHVF004:

I managed to do it in sections I managed some of it but I never managed all of it because although I’ve been on group walks and done sections of it I’ve never had the opportunity to walk with someone from one end of it to the other now I couldn’t do it anyway because I couldn’t walk that far in one go but it’s a treasure really it’s a spectacular addition really to a capital city

They’ve actually postponed it I’ve got news for you we have another month

Mumm (murmuring agreement)

EHVF005:

EHVF011:

Not just the old parts but some of the new parts the whole Fountainbridge area that they’ve redesigned the canal basin, absolutely unbelievable

All:

Yes, yes

And the cycle paths

All:

Researcher A:

It is isn’t it (laughs) Scotland’s disgrace even, and I quite like the sense of accomplishment you get from walking all the way up to the top and the sort of the exercise you get from walking up and it’s slightly less demanding than going up Arthur’s Seat (laughs)

EHVF009: EHVF005:

Mumm [murmuring agreement]

Yes they come down as you pull it out 23

151

TALKING MATS ANALYSIS 07. 01. 14

In a home / residential development how important is / are: In a neighbourhood how important is / are / is it that Wide passages and Gender Age doors

Rooms or spaces Adequate that are large storage enough to move space around in

Even floors and surfaces

Nearby Lift Suitable Suitable Ability to services bathroom kitchen maintain a (in block and facilities facilities comfortable of flats) facilities

Local parks Streets or green Outdoor Public Pedestrian have spaces seating toilets crossings pavements

Separate pedestrians Pavements that from cyclists/ are free from Smooth pavements vehicles obstructions

Female

0.5

Male

Female

-1

5.5

Toatal

Key

Note 1: Figures are not to suggest a numerical score, they are simply used as a way of recording if a feature

-1

Feature identified by the participant as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;not importantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the talking mats scale

was identified by a participant as important, not important or neither important nor unimportant (i.e. the

Feature identified as being neither important nor unimportant on the talking mats

participant had a neutral view).

scale Feature identified as important on the talking mats scale

Note 2: The 17 items discussed within the talking mats exercise are identified within the world health org.

0,5

Feature positioned between the neutral and important points on the scale

publication on age friendly cities as being important to / for older people. One might therefore expect our

-0,5

Feature positioned between the not important and neutral points on the scale

participants to rate all 17 items as important .

Design Report_ Volume 1

TALKING MATS ANALYSIS 05. 02. 14

In a home / residential development how important is / are: In a neighbourhood how important is / are / is it that Wide passages and Gender Age doors

Rooms or spaces Adequate that are large storage enough to move space around in

Even floors and surfaces

Nearby Lift Suitable Suitable Ability to services maintain a (in block kitchen bathroom and facilities facilities comfortable of flats) facilities

Local parks Streets or green Outdoor Public Pedestrian have spaces seating toilets crossings pavements

Separate pedestrians Pavements that from cyclists/ are free from Smooth pavements vehicles obstructions

Female

0.5

Male

Female

4.5

Toatal

Key

Note 1: Figures are not to suggest a numerical score, they are simply used as a way of recording if a feature

-1

Feature identified by the participant as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;not importantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the talking mats scale

was identified by a participant as important, not important or neither important nor unimportant (i.e. the

Feature identified as being neither important nor unimportant on the talking mats

participant had a neutral view).

scale Feature identified as important on the talking mats scale

Note 2: The 17 items discussed within the talking mats exercise are identified within the world health org.

0,5

Feature positioned between the neutral and important points on the scale

publication on age friendly cities as being important to / for older people. One might therefore expect our

-0,5

Feature positioned between the not important and neutral points on the scale

participants to rate all 17 items as important .

153

TALKING MATS ANALYSIS 24. 02. 14

In a home / residential development how important is / are: In a neighbourhood how important is / are / is it that Wide passages and Gender Age doors

Rooms or spaces Adequate that are large storage enough to move space around in

Even floors and surfaces

Nearby Lift Suitable Suitable Ability to services bathroom kitchen maintain a (in block and facilities facilities comfortable of flats) facilities

Local parks Streets or green Outdoor Public Pedestrian have toilets seating crossings spaces pavements

Separate pedestrians Pavements that from cyclists/ are free from Smooth pavements vehicles obstructions

Female

0.5

Female

0.5

Female

-1

Male

Female

Male

0.5

Male

Female

0.5

11.5

10.5

12.5

11.5

Toatal

Key

Note 1: Figures are not to suggest a numerical score, they are simply used as a way of recording if a feature

-1

Feature identified by the participant as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;not importantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the talking mats scale

was identified by a participant as important, not important or neither important nor unimportant (i.e. the

Feature identified as being neither important nor unimportant on the talking mats

participant had a neutral view).

scale Feature identified as important on the talking mats scale

Note 2: The 17 items discussed within the talking mats exercise are identified within the world health org.

0,5

Feature positioned between the neutral and important points on the scale

publication on age friendly cities as being important to / for older people. One might therefore expect our

-0,5

Feature positioned between the not important and neutral points on the scale

participants to rate all 17 items as important .

Design Report_ Volume 1

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS 1 - 2 - 1 INTERVIEWS Wide passages No. of participants and identified item as doors

Rooms or spaces Adequate that are large storage enough to move space around in

Even floors and surfaces

Ability to Suitable Suitable maintain a Lift bathroom kitchen comfortable (in block facilities facilities temprature of flats)

Nearby services and facilities

Local parks Streets or green Outdoor Public Pedestrian have spaces seating toilets crossings pavements

Separate pedestrians Pavements that from cyclists/ are free from Smooth pavements vehicles obstructions

Important

Not important

Neutral

Between Neutral/ Important

Between Neutral/ not Important

NOTES

CONCLUSION

Note 1:The home generated the most items that were most likely to be identified as important. None of the

- Wide passages and doors - item most likely to be identified as neither important nor unimportant,

items linked to the home were identified as unimportant. This might suggest that people are more invested

and item least likely to be identified as important

in / are more concerned by what is present in the home than what is present within the neighbourhood. This

- Adequate storage space, even floors and surfaces to walk on and suitable kitchen and bathroom

perhaps stands to reason as older people spend longer periods at home, relative to other age groups, and so

facilities - items most likely to be identified as important

might be more affected by the features of the home, relative to the neighbourhood.

- Public toilets - only item identified as not important (and this was only by one participant)

Note 2: Participants identified all 17 items as important. 1 participant only identified 10 items as important.

being close to amenities and facilities, pedestrian crossings, including pavements with all streets, having

1 participant identified one item (public toilets) as not important. One might have expected all participants

pavements that separate pedestrians from cyclists and vehicles, having pavements that are free from

to identify all items as important given that the WHO asserts that all items are important to / for older

obstructions and smooth pavements - items most likely to be identified as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sort of importantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - i.e. items

people.

positioned between the neutral and important points on the talking mats scale.

Homes

155