Join us for a workshop about the design of multi-unit buildings to enable neighbourliness, well-being, and aging in place. 

Please join us on July 6th, for an in-person Community Forum hosted by the Simon Fraser University Department of Gerontology, Hey Neighbour Collective and Happy Cities. 

Over the last 10 months, our team has conducted audits of 20 buildings that are operated by Brightside and Concert. The SFU and Happy Cities teams co-created an audit tool that assesses how the built environment (and specifically multi-unit buildings) can encourage aging in the right place, wellbeing, social connectedness, and intergenerational interactions. We have also conducted engagement with Brightside and Concert staff and residents. Thanks to this significant data collection and engagement effort, we are pleased to invite you to collaborate with us on understanding the findings, and creating tangible best practice recommendations. 

Background

Research shows that it is crucial for people to have access to a wide variety of social interactions, from casual everyday social encounters to meaningful long-term relationships. Our homes, where we spend the majority of our time, can either help bring us closer together or keep us apart. As people age, their social networks tend to diminish. The built environment can support people’s ability to age in place, helping them remain in their community and home for as long as they can. For seniors and older adults, social connectedness can increase safety, independence and encourage better physical health.

Social connectedness happens at many different scales, including interactions with the wider community, short casual interactions with neighbors, or more meaningful or structured social activities. Multi-unit buildings should aim to create spaces that enable all types and scales of social interaction.

Project Team:

Principal Investigators:

Atiya Mahmood, Professor, Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University

Madeleine Hebert, Senior Housing Specialist at Happy Cities

S. Haji Hosseini, N. Hedayati,A. Kamranzade, R. Nasiri, F. Rikhtegaran 

About Happy Cities:

Happy Cities is an urban planning, design, and architecture consultancy that draws on psychology, neuroscience, public health, and behavioral economics to illuminate the intersection between design and well-being. We conduct innovative engagement and research to help clients build happier, healthier, more inclusive communities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We have offices in both Halifax and Vancouver.