Planning for reducing loneliness for older people

Project title: Enhancing Environments for Older Adult Social Connectedness (ENOLA-SC)

Licentiate RTPI Member Dr Hannah Grove of Kellogg College, University of Oxford will use her RTPI Early Career Research grant to explore how built environment factors alter the social connectedness of older adults. The intention is to enhance the evidence base for planners on this topic, so they can improve the quality of urban places for the increasing number of older people who experience social isolation.

Through varied and innovative approaches, Dr Grove will conduct a study of the existing and ideal social worlds of older people outside their homes. The study will consider the role of the built environment in creating opportunities or barriers for social connectedness. It will then identify built environment interventions which could enhance the social experiences of older people in urban contexts. It will use this evidence to develop recommendations for planning policy. The project also involves Re-engage, a national charity whose mission is to reduce the social isolation of older people, as a research partner who will assist in recruiting participants.

Dr Grove said: "I am delighted to be working with the RTPI, along with Re-Engage to carry out this research. The built and social environment plays a very important role in shaping everyday experiences and the ability to age well in place, and many older adults experience challenges related to social isolation while ageing in their communities. This research will provide insight into how we can improve our local environments to enhance social connectedness."