Aging & Social Change: Fourteenth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

More older people are living in urban environments than ever before, with older and disabled people found to be one of the last to be consulted with in regards to urban transformation projects. This, together with the often-shrinking social support structures and networks of older people mean that older people in neighbourhoods undergoing urban transformation face increased feelings of being pushed out, with few older people finding a way to take part in citizen participation. This PhD research project is situated in the context of North Manchester, UK, which is undergoing a large healthcare urban transformation project. The redevelopment objectives seek to situate older people as co-researchers and undergo co-production with older residents. A mixed-method network analysis approach is used with two groups 1) local older people, and 2) ‘practitioners’ who work directly or indirectly on the redevelopment or locally in an age-friendly role. Local older people’s networks are mapped, alongside their satisfaction, belonging and identity with place. A mixed-method networks approach enables the identification of key individuals, which stakeholders could build a relationship with, enabling them to inform others in their in-group network, acting as a catalyst to promote other citizen participation. The research therefore makes recommendations to the redevelopments key stakeholders to expand their form of engagement practice.