Abstract:

The article is concerned with one of meaningful aspects of sustainability, that is social equality in the context of ageing society. In the article educational project named “If you could not grow old…” was implemented with second-degree students of Architecture. Basic task for students participating in the project was to develop the recommendation of spatial activities that support elderly people in their living environment. Outlined task resulted from the established didactic goal: education of Millenial students in terms of social responsibility in architect’s profession due to direct experience of the ageing process in society. In the assumptions of the project established, that the measure of harmonious and balanced development of urban districts is, among others, the conditions for independence of older people (including sustainable public transport) and their active participation in social life. Moreover, the strengths of the Millenials generation were used - their positive orientation toward collaboration: group discussion, creating persons, SWOT analysis in work groups enhanced the process of learning and sharing experiences.

The starting point for the project was interviews with seniors – mainly students’s relatives, what was a strong impulse to further exploring the quality of the living environment in the scale of districts. The work within the project was divided into several stages: problem diagnosis - questionnaire interviews and in-situ analyzes, mapping , creation of persons (various types of older people with different functional abilities), determination of opportunities and threats for individual locations. The project was completed with heuristic studies, i.e. a vision of the old age of the participating students.

The result of the project were, among others, students' own observations resulting from the similarity of personal opportunities and fears as well as older people being examined. This experience has influenced the determination of recommendations for sustainable urban development in the context of the aging society.

Keywords:

Elderly friendly cities, quality of living conditions, accessible city scpaces.