Participatory Methods to Support Climate Adaptation for Older Adults Living in Vulnerable Urban Areas: An Ethnographic Study

Joel Bruno da Silva, Bibiana Tini, Ana Martins, Inês Mimoso, Teodora Figueiredo, Ana Silva Fernandes, Franklin Gaspar, Gisela Lameira, Luís Midão, Leovaldo Alcântara, Md Imtiaz Ahmad, Luísa Batista, Pedro Rocha, Rui Jorge Garcia Ramos, Sara Cruz, Cecília Rocha, Helena Corvacho, Anabela Ribeiro, Paulo Conceição, Fernando Alves and Elísio Costa ()
Additional contact information
Joel Bruno da Silva: RISE—Health, Competence Center for Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Bibiana Tini: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Ana Martins: CEAU—Center for Studies in Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal
Inês Mimoso: RISE—Health, Competence Center for Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Teodora Figueiredo: RISE—Health, Competence Center for Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Ana Silva Fernandes: CEAU—Center for Studies in Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal
Franklin Gaspar: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Gisela Lameira: CEAU—Center for Studies in Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal
Luís Midão: RISE—Health, Competence Center for Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Leovaldo Alcântara: RISE—Health, Competence Center for Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Md Imtiaz Ahmad: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Luísa Batista: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Pedro Rocha: School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Rui Jorge Garcia Ramos: CEAU—Center for Studies in Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal
Sara Cruz: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Cecília Rocha: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Helena Corvacho: CONSTRUCT—Institute of R&D in Structures and Construction, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Anabela Ribeiro: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
Paulo Conceição: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Fernando Alves: CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Elísio Costa: RISE—Health, Competence Center for Active and Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 6, 1-36

Abstract: Urban environments and climate-related challenges impact older adults’ health and well-being. To address these challenges, climate adaptation strategies and urban design guidelines should be tailored to older adults’ needs. Ethnographic studies can help identify these needs by involving them directly in the research process. This study uses ethnographic research to explore older adults’ perceptions and behaviours regarding climate change risks and impacts, health, and mobility challenges in a vulnerable urban area—São Roque da Lameira, Porto, Portugal. It studies the applicability and complementarity of four participatory methods that can inform urban design: (I) semi-structured interviews, (II) ‘go-along’ interviews, (III) user observations, and (IV) emotional mapping. The qualitative data collected were analysed through thematic and spatial analysis. Common themes emerged between the four methods, including concerns about accessibility, safety, and comfort, such as uneven pavements, lack of seating, and poor infrastructure for people with reduced mobility. Participants recommended improvements, such as more green spaces and better pedestrian infrastructure quality. Notably, each method uncovered distinct dimensions, highlighting the added value of a multi-method approach. This study demonstrates that combining participatory methods offers deeper, context-specific insights to inform age-friendly and climate-resilient urban design. Future research should take climate-focused methods and a multidisciplinary approach into consideration.

Keywords: climate adaptation; older adults; ethnographic studies; vulnerable urban areas; participatory methods; inclusive and responsive urban design and planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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