How does a (Smart) Age-Friendly Ecosystem Look in a Post-Pandemic Society?

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Urban Planning
• Digital Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for societal adaptability and highlighted the role of digital technology in community support.
• Future societal challenges include aging populations with diverse needs, requiring flexible and responsive living environments.
• Current age-friendly city frameworks lack integration of technology, despite its potential to address demographic shifts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how digital technology, design hacking, and research can inform the development of smart age-friendly ecosystems in a post-pandemic world.
• To propose a new framework, the Concept of Age-friendly Smart Ecologies (CASE), building upon the Smart Age-friendly Ecosystem (SAfE) model.
• To identify multi-disciplinary research approaches for planning and developing inclusive, age-friendly urban environments.

Main Methods:

• Extension of the existing Smart Age-friendly Ecosystem (SAfE) framework.
• Exploration of digital technology and design hacking strategies.
• Analysis of case studies and real-life scenarios informed by the COVID-19 pandemic experience.

Main Results:

• Proposal of the Concept of Age-friendly Smart Ecologies (CASE) framework.
• Demonstration of how digital technology can be integrated into age-friendly urban planning.
• Identification of contemporary multi-disciplinary research avenues for enhancing age-friendly ecosystems.

Conclusions:

• The CASE framework offers an agile and collaborative approach for urban development to meet the needs of aging populations.
• Integrating digital technology is crucial for creating resilient and responsive age-friendly ecosystems.
• The framework facilitates discussion and collaboration among diverse actors for improved future planning.