It Takes a Village to Grow Old

To age in place, recurring encounters in the neighbourhood could be beneficial for citizens (with dementia).
Public familiarity deals with this phenomenon and the design of the physical environment – especially so-called ‘fourth places’ – could contribute to this, for example by using conversation starters. These conversation starters could be smart art objects which stimulate encounters. However, it is irregular to design such stimulating smart art objects with local citizens. And if doing so, often dilemmas arise where democratic participation is at stake. The aim of this living lab was to study the development of smart art objects in fourth places to stimulate social encounters using a citizen science approach. We explored the dynamics between
smart art objects, place-making, and social health.
Participatory action research was integrated in the Empathic Design Framework in three iterations in a
specific neighbourhood in Amsterdam: VondelHelmers. A mixed method approach was used to explore the
needs, preferences, and possibilities of socio-spatial factors (e.g., diary study, photovoice, preference study),
to develop design solutions (e.g., design workshops), and to evaluate the design solutions (e.g., observation,
group interviews).The involvement of citizens in this process was layered: co-deciding members of the project
team, consulting members of a task force, and consulting and informing a broad group of citizens. The first
two groups were actively involved in conducting the research (e.g., interviewing, observing).
The developed smart art object in the neighbourhood VondelHelmers is a sheltered bench, with the
possibility to exchange neighbourhood stories, both digitally (smart tablet) as with physical objects (in a
showcase cabinet). First experiences with this smart art object are positive; citizens showed curiosity
behaviour towards the art object. In addition, during the research and development process, involved citizens
mentioned more conversations, even with neighbours they did not know before (i.e., public familiarity).
Partners: TU/e, Stadsdorp VondelHelmers, LA, HvA, UvA, illi-tv, WG-kunst, Cliëntenbelang Amsterdam,
Stichting Mantelzorg & Dementie
Funded by: Health~Holland & ZonMw