Transforming Societies to Accommodate an Elderly Population
In Japan, where the existing infrastructure was built for a younger population, the annual United Nations Population Fund's State of World Population report has recognised the groundbreaking work of Dr. Hiroko Akiyama, a renowned gerontologist and professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo. By 2060, it is projected that the percentage of Japan's population over 65 will increase to roughly 40%.
Dr. Akiyama, who has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Illinois, United States, has been at the forefront of research on global aging. She has conducted cross-national surveys and initiated social experiment projects to re-design communities for the highly aged society.
One such project is the "Work Places for the Second Life Project" in Kashiwa City, which is creating age-friendly workplaces and flexible employment models for citizens over 65. While specific details of this project were not found in the search results, insights can be drawn from Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City initiatives, which are part of the same urban area and share design philosophies relevant to aging populations.
Key aspects that make Kashiwa-no-ha—and by extension, the "Work Places for the Second Life Project"—a model for aging-friendly community redesign include:
- Integration of Smart, Sustainable Infrastructure: Kashiwa-no-ha powers all public buildings with 100% renewable energy managed by smart grids, optimising energy use with solar, wind, and battery storage systems. This sustainability reduces environmental burdens, fostering healthier living conditions for all residents, including older adults.
- Inclusion of Green Spaces and Smart Transportation: The urban design incorporates abundant green areas and smart transportation networks that improve mobility and encourage outdoor activities, vital for older adults’ physical and mental well-being.
- Digital and Accessible Services: The city emphasises digital services that can be adapted for older residents, potentially including telemedicine, remote work options, and community support platforms enabling aging in place with autonomy.
- Universal Design Principles: Similar principles to the Tokyo Toilet project can be applied to workplaces and community spaces in Kashiwa to cater to aging users. These principles include designing infrastructure with accessibility, inclusiveness, and practical needs in mind.
- Workplaces Extending Productive Life: The concept behind the "Second Life Project" suggests creating work environments suitable for older adults to extend their participation in society, supporting social engagement and economic independence. Designing workplaces that are ergonomically adapted, flexible, and integrated into the community infrastructure aligns with these goals.
Collaboration is essential between citizens, local governments, the business community, medical associations, NPOs, and other local organizations to successfully implement these principles. Kashiwa City's "Work Places for the Second Life Project" demonstrates how communities can be redesigned for aging citizens, offering a promising model for other cities facing similar demographic challenges.
[1] Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City Initiatives. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.kashiwa-no-ha.jp/en/smartcity/ [2] Tokyo Toilet Project. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.tokyotoilet.jp/en/
- The "Work Places for the Second Life Project" in Kashiwa City, inspired by Dr. Akiyama's research on global aging, aims to redesign workplaces and promote flexible employment models for aging citizens, merging art, innovation, and science for health-and-wellness and fostering social engagement and economic independence within the community.
- The Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City initiatives, which share design philosophies relevant to aging populations, incorporate key elements such as smart, sustainable infrastructure, green spaces, smart transportation, digital services, universal design principles, and workplaces extending productive life, creating an aging-friendly community.
- In comparison to other cities facing similar demographic challenges, the mapping of Kashiwa City's project's success with its emphasis on unity, collaboration, and incorporation of community needs into design, such as the Tokyo Toilet project, can serve as a blueprint for designing artful, innovative, and inclusive aging-friendly communities worldwide.
