Cities aren’t built for older people – our study shows many can’t walk fast enough to beat a pedestrian crossing

Western, Max; Stathi, Afroditi · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.64628/ab.wvkv9mfak

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Summary

This report details the “Improving Your Local Area” project, a citizen science initiative conducted at the University of Birmingham to identify urban influences affecting active and healthy ageing. The study was motivated by demographic projections indicating a 29.5% rise in Birmingham’s population aged 65 and above by 2038, alongside lower healthy life expectancy for older adults in the city compared to the national average. The project aimed to amplify the voices of older residents to co-produce actionable recommendations for making local urban environments more age-friendly, addressing the need for older adults to have a “louder voice” in shaping their communities. The research employed the Stanford University Our Voice Citizen Science Framework for Health Equity, engaging 17 citizen scientists aged 60–88 and 22 community stakeholders from November 2020 to January 2022. The methodology consisted of four stages. First, “Discover Together” groups identified barriers and facilitators to active ageing. Second, citizen scientists conducted “Discovery Tool Walks” across 11 Birmingham wards, using a mobile application to collect geotagged photos, audio, and text data on local environmental features. Third, “Discuss Together” groups reviewed this data to draft recommendations. Finally, workshops were held with stakeholders to refine these into feasible, co-produced solutions. The project identified 13 barrier themes and 8 facilitator themes, spanning personal, environmental, socio-cultural, economic, and policy domains. Key barriers included poor infrastructure, such as broken pavements and parking on sidewalks, while facilitators included well-managed green spaces and community support. Based on these findings, six co-produced recommendations were established: (1) funding maintenance and care for local and green spaces; (2) providing public toilets in high streets and parks via Community Toilet Schemes; (3) enforcing regulations against parking on pavements to improve accessibility; (4) creating central digital and non-digital information hubs for local resources; (5) improving council communication and green space management; and (6) enhancing community integration across age groups and ethnicities. The significance of this work lies in its direct application of citizen science to urban planning and public health. The recommendations align with Birmingham’s broader strategic goals, including the “Route to Zero” climate initiative and the “Our Future City Plan.” By centering the lived experiences of older adults, the project provides a framework for local authorities, businesses, and communities to implement specific, evidence-based changes that promote healthy ageing. The authors emphasize that these findings offer a foundation for future engagement, aiming to ensure urban spaces are inclusive and supportive of an aging population.

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• pedestrian behavior perception