Design for Active Ageing – Walkability and The Built Environment

Public housing provided by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is the cornerstone of housing in Singapore, serving an estimated 82% of Singaporean residents. However, these developments are not designed only to provide housing – they are oftentimes integrated with educational, social and community facilities in a walkable new town concept, enabling residents to meet most of their needs within a small traveling radius. As such, Singapore’s neighbourhoods provide an excellent site for interventions fostering active ageing.

This research project aims to build knowledge about the “lived experience” and perceptions of the elderly as they experience their neighbourhoods and communities on foot. Using their day-to-day insights, walking patterns and behaviours, the researchers will identify, test and evaluate the efficacy of small-scale design interventions to encourage and increase walking activity amongst the elderly.