Supporting Sustainable Demographic Change: Augmented Reality in Men’s Sheds as a Concept for Active Aging

Andrzej Wieczorek and Kinga Stecuła ()
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Andrzej Wieczorek: Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Kinga Stecuła: Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-29

Abstract: The rapid increase in the aging population presents significant challenges to sustainable development. This is particularly true in relation to the areas of social inclusion, healthcare, and lifelong learning. As societies try to adapt to demographic change, it is important to develop innovative approaches that improve the quality of life of older adults while promoting their active participation in community life. Firstly, this paper examines current methods of activating seniors through social and technical engagement, with a particular focus on the concept of men’s sheds—a concept originating in Australia, in which a space where older adults men can socialize and engage in woodworking and other technical activities is offered. Despite the benefits of such initiatives, digital exclusion remains a key barrier that limits the full participation of seniors in a rapidly digitizing world. This paper explores the potential of integrating augmented reality (AR) into men’s sheds as a tool to limit digital gaps and support inclusive, active aging. The authors present a proposal and a practical implementation scenario for the use of AR in men’s sheds as a new concept to activate seniors. This paper examines the example of metal processing performed in men’s sheds using AR. The concept was then evaluated by experts. This paper presents the results of these experts’ opinions. The authors conducted interviews with seven experts. There were ten questions: seven closed-ended (rated on a scale from 1 to 5) and three open-ended questions. This study aligns with the concept of smart cities and the wider goals of sustainable development by promoting lifelong learning, intergenerational exchange, and improved well-being among seniors.

Keywords: active aging; digital inclusion; sustainable development; demographic change; seniors; augmented reality; men’s sheds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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