Ageing in Place. Hipóteses para a grande idade no Bairro de Fernão de Magalhães

Abstract

This thesis regards the role of architecture on the topic of ageing in place, covering the public and domestic scales, through design experimentations. Throughout the study of the understanding of the necessities, desires and inherent transformations of older age, hypothesis of intervention for the Neighbourhood of Fernão de Magalhães, in Porto, are explored for an active and healthy ageing. The case study is a social neighbourhood, characteristic that highlights the economy of areas and means by the municipality, who has the responsability of providing accessible housing - in financial and usage terms - to all population groups. The thesis aims to delay or avoid situations of change of residence of the older person - that is, place of residence, not the dwelling by itself - due to unsuitableness or lack of accessibility of the current dwelling and respective surroundings. In parallel to the discussed subjects, some reviews, references and design proposals emerge, maintaining, between both, a relationship of mutual enrichment - culminating in a better comprehension of the expectations relating to home and city usage by the senior citizen, and introducing design hypothesis favorable for the ageing in place.