According to United Nations statistics for 2019, the number of people aged 65 or over is projected to reach 1.5 billion by 2050. The global trend of population ageing will place pressure on countries in terms of infrastructure, social security, health care, public policy, and innovation in mindsets. Simultaneously, the development of digital technology has led to a variety of lifestyles and cognitive transformations that are not as widespread among the older population. In these challenging times, the need to reduce the gap between older adults and digital technology has become a crucial social issue, and Social Innovation, as the vital opportunity to solve intractable social problems, needs to be leveraged to address broader issues. This paper explores new approaches to social innovation in the digital technology age, based on the context of age-friendly community transitions. Through an analysis of digital practices in ageing communities, a process framework is proposed that provides a pathway for communities to become age-friendly and liveable, and enhance the quality of life of older residents, enabling them to become more involved in community development and resulting in sustainable improvements in their living environment.
Lijun Chen is a lecturer in Design and designer. She is pursuing her PhD at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague. Her research focuses on Transition Design, and is integrated into the areas of Social Design, System Innovation, Sustainable Design, and Inclusive Design in the context of addressing the wellbeing of seniors and sustainable transitions in communities. She has also previously worked in product design, as a lecturer, head of international office, Cumulus coordinator at the Gengdan Institute of Beijing University of Technology.
Noor Marji is an architect, urban planner, and PhD student at the Czech Technical University in Prague. Her research integrates Artificial Intelligence and architecture, specializing in transient built environments, urban regeneration, post-war urban reconstruction, and development of vulnerable communities, with a focus on Middle Eastern countries.
Gülbahar Emir Işık has experienced several practical projects related to BIM, particularly healthcare and educational projects, in several countries. While pursuing undergraduate education specializing in architecture at BAU, she took an intense interest in the relationship between architecture and the city and completed a master’s degree in urban design at ITU. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student working with Prof. Dr. Henri Achten on Digital Twin Studies in architecture at CTU. Her work focuses specifically on digital twins and architectural design processes.
Akshatha Ravi Kumar is an Architect-Designer and Urban Planner. She is currently pursuing her PhD studies in Urban Planning at the Czech Technical University in Prague. Her research mainly focusing on heritagization of built environment in post mining cities and the study is conducted on the City of Most in North Bohemia as a specific case study.