Using Citizen Science to Explore Neighbourhood Influences on Ageing Well: Pilot Project.

Helen Barrie,Fidelma Mc Corry-Breen,Veronica Soebarto,Jarrod Lange,Lauren Walker

doi:10.3390/healthcare7040126

Abstract

Outdoor and indoor environments impact older people’s mobility, independence, quality of life, and ability to “age in place”. Considerable evidence suggests that not only the amount, but also the quality, of public green spaces in the living environment is important. The quality of public green spaces is mostly measured through expert assessments by planners, designers and developers. A disadvantage of this expert-determined approach is that it often does not consider the appraisals or perceptions of residents. Daily experience, often over long periods of time, means older residents have acquired insider knowledge of their neighbourhood, and thus, may be more qualified to assess these spaces, including measuring what makes a valued or quality public green space. The aim of this Australian pilot study on public green spaces for ageing well was to test an innovative citizen science approach to data collection using smart phones. “Senior” citizen scientists trialed the smart phone audit tool over a three-month period, recording and auditing public green spaces in their neighbourhoods. Data collected included geocoded location data, photographs, and qualitative comments along with survey data. While citizen science research is already well established in the natural sciences, it remains underutilised in the social sciences. This paper focuses on the use of citizen science with older participants highlighting the potential for this methodology in the fields of environmental gerontology, urban planning and landscape architecture.

Highlights

The design and delivery of quality public green spaces that promote health and wellbeing, social engagement with others and engagement with the environment is a key challenge in our rapidly growing, and increasingly population-dense cities
Thirteen of the citizen scientists were living in the Greater Adelaide metropolitan region at the time of project; with two living in rural towns outside the city region
This small pilot study showed that participants were capable and eager to use technology to engage with science; it is important to still have alternative means for all older people to fully participate in citizen science

Summary

Introduction

The design and delivery of quality public green spaces that promote health and wellbeing, social engagement with others and engagement with the environment is a key challenge in our rapidly growing, and increasingly population-dense cities. Our inner-city built environments, are spaces that are usually imagined, planned and structured with a younger, working age demographic in mind. This project was conducted in South Australia— in Greater. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a guideline for achieving “age-friendly cities”, or cities that encourage “active ageing by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age” [7]. The guideline specifies 11 areas to be addressed in the topic of “outdoor spaces and buildings” including pleasant and clean environments, the importance of green spaces, somewhere to rest, age-friendly pavements, safe pedestrian crossings, accessibility, secure environment, barrier-free buildings, and adequate public toilets [7].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion