Abstract
Through architectural and urban design practice, the paper explores how the progressive aging of society affects private and public spaces. The exercise investigates the relationship between living and aging in seven neighborhoods in Milan. In particular, it focuses on the transformation and adaption of housing stock and public space, taking into account the strengths and vulnerabilities of the elderly population. Looking at the United Nations data, the percentage of individuals over 65 in the total population in 2021 amounted to 9%. This number is expected to increase to 16% in 2050. In Germany, Japan, Spain, North Korea, and Italy, the over 65s will exceed 30%. Population aging will become a new urban question. However, the demographic crisis is already making itself visible in the city. The essay integrates multiple investigation tools to obtain knowledge on the subject: use of data to expand demographic, social, and economic indicators; use of cartography not only as an investigation tool but also as a tool that allows the construction of different interpretations; use of photography as an instrument of knowledge and investigation technique concerning the methods of representation of people in domestic and urban spaces; use of interviews as a tool to trace some micro-stories that can build the housing careers; use of urban and architectural design process as a way to introduce long-term visions in contexts affected aging process. The paper intends to reconstruct the taxonomy of living of the elderly population and define transformation scenarios within this background.
Presenters
Agim KercukuPost-doc, Dipartimento Architettura e Studi Urbani (DAStU), Politecnico di Milano, MI, Italy
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2022 Special Focus—Considering Aging Policies: Between the Local and the Global
KEYWORDS
AGING, FRAGILITY, STRENGTH, MILANO
