Urban Therapy—Urban Health Path as an Innovative Urban Function to Strengthen the Psycho-Physical Condition of the Elderly

Anna Szewczenko (), Ewa Lach, Natalia Bursiewicz, Iwona Chuchnowska, Sylwia Widzisz-Pronobis, Marta Sanigórska, Klaudia Elsner, Daria Bal, Mateusz Sutor, Jakub Włodarz and Józef Ober
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Anna Szewczenko: Faculty of Architecture, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 7, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Ewa Lach: Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Natalia Bursiewicz: Institute of History and Archival Studies, Pedagogical University of KEN, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Cracow, Poland
Iwona Chuchnowska: Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosvelta 40, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Sylwia Widzisz-Pronobis: Faculty of Architecture, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 7, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Marta Sanigórska: Faculty of Architecture, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 7, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Klaudia Elsner: Faculty of Architecture, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 7, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Daria Bal: Faculty of Architecture, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 7, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Mateusz Sutor: Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Jakub Włodarz: Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Józef Ober: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 26-8, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: The current approach to stimulating elderly physical activity mostly uses medical rehabilitation methods or popular forms of outdoor recreation. In the context of an ageing population, there is a growing demand for innovative rehabilitation methods that use information technology. In this article, we present the Urban Health Path as an innovative form of activation for older people using urban therapy, where the architectural elements, such as details, façade features, and urban furniture, inspire movement and attentiveness in the experience of space. The concept is supported by a mobile application that takes into account the specific preferences of older users. Our concept of the physical and cognitive activation of older people was the result of a user-centred design approach and it was tested as a prototype solution. At the same time, the aim of this article is to identify opportunities and limitations for the implementation of this type of solution in other urban spaces. The article presents the process of developing a solution using the Design Thinking method. The process was focused on the needs and preferences of older people. The results of the research project indicate the main important guidelines for implementing the Urban Health Path as a new form of urban facility in the city space.

Keywords: active urban space; active ageing; senior citizens; physical activity; physical health; mental health; mobile application; design thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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