Connecting elderly people to urban life: Towards a better understanding of ageing in place by rethinking stereotypes

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C16.0037

Key words (English)

Ageism; ageing in place; neighbourhood development; case study method

Research programs (English)

COST-Action IS1402 - Ageism: A Multi-National, Interdisciplinary Perspective

Short description (English)

In Switzerland we can observe a development which can be referred to as the 'ageing society'. With respect to the state of current knowledge there are three mega trends: (1) a growth in population with a shift towards older cohorts, (2) a differentiation of 'older people' according to lifestyle, and (3) the rising numbers of older people who prefer to stay in their habitual living environment as long as possible. For this reason cities are required to develop concepts of ageing in place. Inasmuch as place is not simply accommodation, the relevance of community-sensitive neighbourhoods will evidently become more important for a self-determined and pluralised ageing. Meanwhile research draws attention to the fact that related expert-driven programmes and projects are shaped by images and stereotypes about older people, and that these do not take the needs of “tomorrow’s elderly” into account. This can lead to older people feeling excluded from societal life. Arising from COST Action Working Group 5 “Internalized Age Stereotypes” (whose “Urban Development” subgroup is led by the applicant), the research project aims to analyse stereotypes inherent in current concepts of ageing in place. Based on a theoretically derived understanding of Henri Lefebvre, two case studies will be conducted in Swiss cities, enabling the study to contribute to the improvement of knowledge about hidden place-bound ageisms, as well as providing recommendations for age-sensitive neighbourhood policies.

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise: Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit Institut Sozialplanung und Stadtentwicklung

Partners and International Organizations (English)

AT; BE; BA; BG; HR; CY; CZ, DK; EE; FI; MK; DE; EL; HU; IS; IE; IL; IT; LT; MT; NL: NO; PL; PT; RO; RS; SK; SI; ES; SE; TR; UK; AL

Abstract (English)

See short description

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C16.0037