Ageing is a lifelong process, which results in physiological and psychological changes. For example, seniors may have difficulty sensing colours and spatial contrast, or have reduced depth and space cognition. Age-related cognitive decline may also affect memory and information handling. These changes affect how seniors experience their neighbourhoods.
Seniors also tend to spend most of their time within their neighbourhoods. Hence, with well-designed neighbourhood spaces that can support seniors’ mobility, this will encourage them to go outdoors, increase opportunities for interaction and thereby improve their social and mental well-being.
An age-friendly built environment supports seniors’ daily movements and encourages interaction with their neighbours. Aspects include:
Under the Silver Zone scheme, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented road safety features at selected residential areas to make it safer and more convenient for older pedestrians to cross the road.
These include distinctive signs, traffic-calming measures and road markings to reduce vehicle speeds and guide pedestrians to designated crossing points.
3D road markings at the Silver Zone at Whampoa Drive help with traffic calming. (Photo: LTA)
Part of the service road along Whampoa Drive was converted into a community space, to improve walkability and to provide residents with a rest point during their commute. (Photo: LTA)
Walking is a common way for seniors to get to and from their daily activities. It is also important for healthy ageing as it enables seniors to remain physically and socially active.
An age-friendly neighbourhood should enable seniors to walk around confidently and comfortably, without fear of falling.
As part of a research study on age-friendly neighbourhoods led by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)1, CPG reviewed ways of enhancing the walking experience for seniors in Hong Kah North.
An artist’s impression of sheltered connections to ease navigation, and with features to mitigate falls and provide comfort. (Artist’s impression: CPG)
CPG’s design ideas were implemented in this prototype at Block 338, Bukit Batok Street 34, in the form of a bamboo motif, yellow line and bright green colour scheme at the void deck to highlight the sheltered connections, for seniors’ easier navigation. (Photo: CPG)
This involved the re-design of existing sheltered connections for easier navigation, with features to provide comfort and reduce the risk of seniors falling. Selected design ideas were refined into a small-scale prototype in Hong Kah North.
Safe and accessible public transport is vital for seniors to move from place to place, and continue connecting with people within and outside of their neighbourhood.
The Yishun Integrated Transport Hub incorporates physical features that are senior- and dementia-friendly, including barrier-free boarding and alighting areas with priority queues and reserved seats, and prominent signage for easier wayfinding..
At Yishun Integrated Transport Hub, there is prominent toilet signage at eye level for enhanced visibility. (Photo: SMRT Buses Ltd)
Non-slip floor stickers guide commuters to service nodes. (Photo: SMRT Buses Ltd)
With the onset of mobility, visual and cognitive impairment, concerns about safety can discourage seniors from leaving their homes.
To encourage seniors to come out of their homes and interact with their community, Lekker Architects and Tierra Design explored design interventions to create engaging and inclusive spaces for seniors in the neighbourhoods of MacPherson and Toa Payoh West respectively, as part of the same SUTD-led study.
Lekker Architects turned an underutilised void deck space into a pop-up kopitiam named “Kam & Goh”, offering a comfortable and familiar environment for seniors to interact, instead of staying in their homes alone.
Social interaction, regular exercise and cognitive stimulating activities improve quality of life and may even delay the onset of dementia.
The “Kam & Goh” kopitiam, a mobile kopitiam deployed at the Macpherson Estate to encourage social interaction among seniors. (Photo: Lekker Architects)
Tierra Design’s idea of “Walk-and-Play!” turns ordinary moments such as walking to the MRT station or wet market into opportunities for children, adults and seniors to play, through designing paths that incorporate physical and mental exercises.
This path design has simple psychomotor designs drawn on it, to encourage regular exercise. (Image: Tierra Design)
Path designs can also be used to encourage mental stimulation, by turning colourful features into simple games that challenge cognitive and motor skills. (Image: Tierra Design)
Spending time in nature brings many benefits, including improved mental and physical well-being.
Therapeutic Gardens are purposefully designed gardens by the National Parks Board (NParks) that facilitate interactions between visitors and the healing elements of nature.
The gardens’ layout and landscapes are specifically designed to stimulate the senses, invoke reminiscence of childhood or daily life, and provide active and restorative spaces to improve the seniors’ well-being.
Seniors participating in Horticulture Therapy in a Therapeutic Garden. (Photo: NParks)
There are also ways to make the built environment more conducive for people living with dementia to live well and age gracefully in the community. The Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities from the Singapore University of Technology and Design worked with the Agency for Integrated Care as well as agencies like us, the Housing Development Board, Ministry of Health and Building Construction Authority to highlight useful recommendations and principles for building age- and dementia-friendly neighbourhoods as a guide. Read more about the six principles of building a Dementia-Friendly Neighbourhood.
Nursing home designs have evolved to provide better living environments for residents and to strengthen the integration of nursing homes with the surrounding communities.
Key design considerations include:
A research study led by the National University of Singapore (NUS) aims to recommend innovative design typologies for nursing homes that support person-centric care models, and are well-integrated with the surrounding communities1. Two design firms were shortlisted to propose ideas based on the principles established by the research teams.
Examples of design ideas by the selected firms:
A “Social Corridor” in a conceptual nursing home proposed by FARM Architects and STUCK Design. It is modelled after the HDB common corridor, which would connect a sky garden and different levels. This gives residents the autonomy to walk around and interact within a secure environment. (Artist’s impression: FARM Architects Pte Ltd and STUCK Design Pte Ltd)
Silver Thomas Hanley International proposes a nursing home with an internal courtyard that incorporates a variety of spaces that allow for active rehabilitation and therapy, and is positioned to create visual access for those unable to participate actively. (Artist’s impression: Silver Thomas Hanley International Pte Ltd)