Leader: Erminia Attaianese (UNINA); Other collaborator(s): Mariangela Perillo (UNINA)
The activity is aimed at identifying an interrelated system of technological, environmental and functional-spatial requirements and indicators for the prefiguration of conditions of use of smart, healthy and age-friendly indoor and outdoor environments, in which the organization and management of the living space interacts with the Person and his/her needs through technological supports, including digital solutions.
The set of requirements is functional to the design of usable autonomous living environments able to be integrated with usable ""intelligent"" and shared services for health and socialization, also suitable for offering a response to climatic, pandemic and pollution impacts, guaranteeing full accessibility and safety, focusing healthy aging in a life-course perspective.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results
The activities of the Task 3.1 include three literature reviews aimed at advancing the SHAFE (Smart, Healthy, Age-friendly, Environments) model within the field of architecture in order to promote the development of living spaces that effectively respond to the evolving needs of individuals throughout their lifespan. The first literature review was conducted on existing environmental design studies concerning the implementation of integrated SHAFE principles in architectural design. The second one examined the role of environmental design in enhancing SHAFE environments that are also fall-proofing. The last one proposed a selection of climate-proofing solutions to be implemented in the realisation of SHAFE environments for the adaptation to the most extreme phenomena occurring in Italy.
In relation to the fall-proofing aspect, a study was conducted to examine factors relevant to fall risk assessment in relation to the built environment. It identified key risk factors associated with the flooring characteristics, physical and technical aspects of environments, functional-spatial layout, technical elements, and furniture. The main outcomes of the study included a short and an extended flyer, featuring a simple checklist that enables older adults to self-assess their homes for fall risks. Additionally, a protocol was developed to guide the identification of factors to consider when assessing slip and trip hazards in indoor environments, with particular focus on the private homes of older adults.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications
From a policy perspective, the World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of creating age-friendly environments to promote active and healthy ageing, because the growing elderly population, combined with the inadequacy of many existing housing options, presents a significant challenge in ensuring suitable housing that enables older adults to age in place while preserving their autonomy and independence. Therefore, the SHAFE model represents a significative shift toward a life-course approach, emphasizing the design of healthy, accessible, adaptive, and flexible living environments, alongside the provision of digital support solutions (ICT). This dual focus aims to promote autonomy and independence throughout all stages of life.
The progress of the activities of Task 3.1 focused on a literature review examining the characteristics of the urban built environment that influence quality of the walkability. The results of this review were the development of a GIS-based operational methodology considering a set of selected parameters, enabling the mapping of pedestrian routes tailored to the diverse needs of older adults, and the application of this methodology to a specific case study. Afterwards, a scientific contribute was presented for the participation in the General Meeting of the Age-It Research Program, which analyzes the role of the design of the built environment, indoor and outdoor, in relation to the concept of “ageing in place,” describing its main developments and most established application practices.
In conclusion, a study and the development of cross-cutting integrations are being conducted for a scientific paper on the use case of an older adult patient with multimorbidity proposed by the interdisciplinary team of the Spoke 4, WP3.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications:
From an architectural perspective, population ageing presents a multifaceted challenge. Within this context, the design of indoor and outdoor living spaces plays a pivotal role, as it provides the physical framework for human activities. Therefore, the development of the SHAFE model can enhance the two primary dimensions of Age-Friendly Environments: People—encompassing aspects such as citizenship, lifelong learning, and social interaction in relation to functional ability—and Places—including homes, built environments, community spaces, and outdoor facilities.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results:
The activities of the Task 3.1 advanced through a literature review examining the impact of the built environment on mental health and cognitive decline from an urban and architectural planning perspective. This research was conducted for the Sixth International Meeting, “Brain Health and Prevention of Cognitive Decline: Today’s Challenges for a Brighter Tomorrow” organized by the Spoke 8, under the Research Program Age-It. The results underscored that spatial conditions of the built environment—such as complex layouts, proportions, and dimensions of spaces, along with insufficient wayfinding systems or technological features like colours, patterns, and material textures—can significantly affect mental well-being, people's moods and behaviours and may compromise accessibility, particularly for older adults. In conclusion, two studies and the development of cross-cutting contents are being carried out for two scientific papers, proposed by the interdisciplinary team of the Spoke 4, under the Research Program Age-It. The first focused on the use case of a patient with hidradenitis, while the second addressed a patient with hypogonadism and both cross-cutting contents examined the effects of the built environment on these patients.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications:
From a policy perspective, the scientific implications concern the publication of the Executive Digest “SHAFE approach implementation for digital health solutions” and the publication of the Policy Brief “User Centred Design for Age-Friendly Environments- the NET4Age-Friendly Experience”, as part of Digital Health Uptake (DHU), an EU-funded project under the Digital Europe Programme.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results:
The activities of the Task 3.1 advanced through a literature review examining the impact of the built environment on mental health and cognitive decline from an urban and architectural planning perspective. This research was conducted for the Sixth International Meeting, “Brain Health and Prevention of Cognitive Decline: Today’s Challenges for a Brighter Tomorrow” organized by the Spoke 8, under the Research Program Age-It. The results underscored that spatial conditions of the built environment—such as complex layouts, proportions, and dimensions of spaces, along with insufficient wayfinding systems or technological features like colours, patterns, and material textures—can significantly affect mental well-being, people's moods and behaviours and may compromise accessibility, particularly for older adults. In conclusion, two studies and the development of cross-cutting contents are being carried out for two scientific papers, proposed by the interdisciplinary team of the Spoke 4, under the Research Program Age-It. The first focused on the use case of a patient with hidradenitis, while the second addressed a patient with hypogonadism and both cross-cutting contents examined the effects of the built environment on these patients.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications:
From a policy perspective, the scientific implications concern the effort to establish a methodology for collaboration between different disciplinary fields, in line with the EU's health priorities of enhancing quality, innovation, and sustainability in the implementation of improved health and care systems. This approach also aligns with the objectives of the Programme and the Communication on the Digital Transformation of Health and Care.
In this context, interdisciplinary cross-cutting research is being conducted, aimed at incorporating the impact of living environments on individuals' well-being throughout their lives, recognising the extent to which these environments can either improve or worsen their conditions.
Publications:
Attaianese, E., Barilà, M. (2023). Inclusive mental wellbeing through environmental design, E3S Web of Conferences, 436
Attaianese, E., Perillo, M. (2023). Environmental design for SHAFE approach, E3S Web of Conferences, 436
Attaianese, E., Perillo, M. (2023). Prevention through design for SHAFE environments fall-proofing. Vol. Specie di spazi. Promuovere il benessere psicofisico attraverso il progetto
Attaianese, E., Perillo, M. (2023). SHAFE environments climate proof, la progettazione di ambienti a prova di clima, OFFICINA Journal, 44
Attaianese, E., Barilà M., Perillo, M., De Pascale, D., Di Dario Y. (2024) Applicazione di strumenti GIS-Based per la qualità del camminare. In Cardone, B., De Martino, F., Miraglia, V. GIS DAY 2023. Il GIS per il governo e la gestione del territorio. Aracne, Roma, ISBN 979-12- 218 - 1608-2; pp. 79-113
Attaianese, E., Illario, M. (2025) Il progetto human-environment-centred per l’abitare emergente in ottica life-course. In Losasso, M., Romano, R. (a cura di) Progettazione ambientale, sfide globali, scenari di ricerca. Maggioli
Conference papers:
Attaianese, E., Perillo, M. (2024). Beyond Ageing: Il ruolo dell’ambiente costruito in una prospettiva life-course, General Meeting Age-It, Economic Campus “San Giobbe” – Ca’ Foscari University, Venezia, 20-22 May 2024
Attaianese, E., (2024) Di Dario Y. Beyond accessibility: universal design for healthy and inclusive public space. SMC N.20 2024 pp. 34-40
Conference posters:
Attaianese, E., Perillo, M., Di Dario, Y., Barilà, M., De Pascale, D., Illario, M. (2024). Brain Health and Environmental Design Implications Of Living Spaces, Sixth International Meeting “Brain Health and prevention of cognitive decline: Today’s challenges for a brighter Tomorrow”, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, 23-25 October 2024
Laymen summaries:
Production of an informational leaflet & flyer for older adults on the risk of falls in the home environment