Active Ageing e interni urbani: come vivere gli spazi della quotidianità

The increasing of life expectancy implies a rethinking and adaptation of the current “living models” in a general sense, in order to respond to elderly needs such as physical and mental well-being, autonomy, social interaction, security and accessibility. Active ageing should focus not only on private domestic spaces, but also on the role of the city and outdoor spaces. In Turin, as in several other cities, there are many collective places that are experienced as if they were indoor ones. These so-called urban interiors cross the blurred boundary between closed/private and open/public spaces. The research “Outdoor spaces fit for active ageing”, carried out in collaboration with the City of Turin, Green Areas Sector, is aimed at rethinking some of these urban interiors. Direct and indirect analyses have been developed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of case studies, the specific needs of the elderly user and some central themes for the design and related intervention strategies. The article focuses on the results of surveys on urban interiors and on the unexpressed potential of these spaces. It identifies guidelines for an effective design of accessible and inclusive outdoor spaces, highlighting how the needs of users, their daily activities, can sometimes be dissonant with what has been established a priori by local policies.