Aging in (urban) Place: a multidimensional study to explore opportunities for healthy longevity in the city

Aging in place is an increasingly discussed topic in the study of urban aging, especially in light of the new challenges of our century: population aging and urbanization. Understanding the interaction between individuals and their environment is critical to promoting healthy longevity. A mixed-methods case study in the Italian city of Bergamo examines this relationship, focusing initially on two models of aging in place: senior housing and home ownership. Preliminary data reveal individual differences in social life and in the use of urban space between the two groups. The research, which aims to investigate how to support healthy “aging in place”, could involve policymakers, urban planners, and architects in promoting inclusive and age-friendly urban environments, by introducing a new perspective to aging in place studies