Project lead: Local authorities

Older people’s involvement: Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages

Details on older people’s involvement: The research walks with older people are part of a wider policy on shaping public space in consultation with specific groups of users of public space, which has been found to be beneficial.

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: Yes

Please share with us what you found in detail:
Over a 3 year period we have expanded the research walks to study diverse city districts engaging seniors but also people with disabilities. We found this to be a very important tool to create the public space together with inhabitants. The walks are are useful tool in the consultation process on changes of the city, revitalisation processes.

Feedback:
Older people that participated in the research walks have become more active in their seniors’ clubs, the Third Year University and other civic activities in Gdynia, like the participatory budget.For our target group it is very important to provide feedback and concrete solutions to which the city can respond by adjusting public space. In response a further tool – an interactive map of barriers and places with requirements of reconstruction has been created in which all data, descriptions of barriers and solutions are proposed by seniors. This tool called “Naprawmy To” is now being examined by the municipal units responsible for adjustment the urban space (for example: Investment Department, Road and Greenery Management Unit, Municipal Housing Department).

Expansion plans:
The research walk method developed for senior citizens has been extended as a consultation tool to people with disabilities and is used as part of a participatory planning process for the revitalisation of four districts in Gdynia.We started the research walks with a prepared scenario and route planned for each walk. Nowadays we also try to be led by inhabitants of particular areas to the places that can be dangerous, not adjustable but also the places in their districts that they feel a good, safe and comfortable. As the result a sentimental map of the district can be created with the direct participation of citizens.

Reflections:
A number of valuable conclusions have been drawn: • The recruitment of the participants for the project should conducted with great care to have the number of participants for each time walk confirmed. • Such activities pose a great time burden for volunteers – they are time consuming therefore an adequate number of volunteers should be recruited to avoid burdening them excessively• Similar projects should be implemented in collaboration with local government to make sure that the collected data will be a valuable source of information that will provide a knowledge base for real changes.• The whole project requires a properly elaborated methodology, scenarios, trainings of the interviewers to increase effectiveness of the method.• The proper selection of the walks routes is crucial for the results of the research; places have to be diversified and the routes should not be too long.

Challenges:
The recruitment of seniors was a challenge, so we constantly cooperated with the Gdynia Center for Senior Citizens, Senior Clubs and The Third Year University to have direct contact with older people. Also explaining the importance to take part was an important issue. Seniors who participated really understood the idea and the impact of their voice.