Citation

Gudowsky N, Sotoudeh M, Capari L, Wilfing H. Futures 2017; 90: 16-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Institute for the Future, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.futures.2017.05.005

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Cities need to adapt to ageing societies because the average age of habitants is increasing rapidly alongside the global trend of urbanisation. Apparent effects on both society and individual livelihoods will continue to increase in the coming decades. Great hopes are projected on technology to support solutions for the ageing society and urban planning. Smart city strategies and the field of ambient assisted living are two concepts sharing the assumption that technology will make our lives more independent, more efficient and safer with a higher quality of life. This paper presents a case study of a participatory foresight project that investigates how transdisciplinary agenda setting through the means of including citizens, experts and stakeholders can provide orientation for long-term planning on the future of ageing in the city.

RESULTS enforce the argument that urban governance needs to address additional tasks whilst adapting to challenges arising from ageing societies and urbanisation. Alongside mere technological innovation, human factors gain importance. Future-oriented urban development strategies need to incorporate this fact and should not predominantly be drafted on the paradigm of technological progress.

Language: en

Keywords

Ageing; Participatory foresight; Transdisciplinarity; Urban futures; Visioning