Reconnecting elderly
interventions for a just spatial and social environment for the elderly in Budapest
E. Nagy (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Luca Iuorio – Mentor (TU Delft - Environmental Technology and Design)
Birgit Hausleitner – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Design)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
This thesis examines the current care crisis as a dual condition: a human crisis stemming from dismantled welfare systems and lack of social connectedness, and an environmental crisis reflected in the escalating effects of climate change.It highlights how the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, are disproportionately affected by these overlapping crises on a global scale.
Additionally, it critically examines current perceptions of aging populations, particularly in the context of a world experiencing rapid urbanization and aging societies.
These issues are analyzed through spatial scales, starting with a regional focus on Hungary, narrowing down to the capital, Budapest, and further to the VII. district (Erzsébetváros). At country scale, the thesis investigates the structural shortcomings of the welfare system, examining how government policies fail to support elderly populations and how it is reflected in media narratives. It also assesses the spatial injustices caused by climate change, identifying the areas most vulnerable to its effects. On a more localized level, the everyday lives of elderly residents are studied at the neighborhood and street scales. Insights gathered from these phases are synthesized to create a pattern language.
Building on this analysis, the thesis proposes design interventions aimed at creating caring urban spaces that promote social connectivity and climate resilience. These interventions are intended not only to address the needs of the elderly but also to foster a more inclusive and adaptive environment for the entire community.