Healthy and happy ageing in rural areas: The contribution of architectural interventions

Abstract

In Belgium, the share of persons aged 60 years and older is projected to reach 32.4% by 2050. Moreover, the older population itself is ageing, and is continuously becoming more diverse. At the same time, it is clear that people entering old age have different housing experiences, expectations and needs. As home and the home environment gain importance when growing older, it should be considered as a significant type of place providing the link between one’s dwelling and one’s wellbeing and identity.

In Belgium, the housing landscape is scattered over urban and more remote, rural areas. Although most people are aware of the paradoxes that rural living brings along (e.g., tranquillity of living vs. lack of services and poor infrastructure), an over-representation of Belgian older people live in non-urban areas. In a Masters class, we explored how older people living in a particular selection of two small-scale villages in rural areas, try to perform ‘healthy and happy ageing’ in place today. Via the application of an intergenerational approach, Masters students in Interior Architecture performed research with the help of local inhabitants. They first documented how people living in these villages, organize their daily life and living practices. Various research methods were applied: students performed interviews, used walking as a research method as well as observations throughout the villages. Evidently, also sketching was applied. As a next step, students developed spatial scenarios of inspiring (living) practices for the villages involved in the project, all enabling healthy and happy ageing. The designerly ‘solutions’ to stimulate healthy and happy ageing in place demonstrate students’ efforts to design and reassure sustainable rural community living, contributing to people’s subjective well-being.