Interview with Simon Strömqvist
Master's student Simon Strömqvist has investigated age-friendly urban planning with a focus on green areas as inclusive and urban recreational areas. Here he tells us more about his thesis.
Simon, what is your master's thesis about?
– My thesis topic was age-friendly urban planning with a focus on green areas as inclusive and urban recreational areas. By exploring the preferences of older adults when choosing natural areas, I was able to identify knowledge that is relevant for the planning and design of age-friendly parks. I also examined the planners' perception of what measures are needed to solve challenges linked to an aging population. Badhusparken and Surfbukten in Östersund was my case study area because it is an age-friendly alternative to more remote nature.
Illustration of the case study area.
What did you find?
– That the majority of the older adults experienced a disability, but nevertheless rated their general health as good. They usually used familiar and accessible natural areas that were within walking distance of the home. The planners emphasized preventive measures to support older adults' independence. Likewise, the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration projects where public, private and non-profit actors interact and exchange knowledge. My conclusion was that age-friendly parks are complex and that more interdisciplinary research is needed on parks and age-friendly community planning.
There is a lot going on in Östersund right now in your research area. Can you tell us a little about that?
– Yes, my study became more relevant as a result of changes in Östersund and thanks to the emergence of the new district of Storsjöstrand and a new footbridge over the railway. The bridges that have been added over the railway have increased accessibility for sustainable transport to the lakeshore, not least through Badhusparken, which is a communication hub for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. With the closure of the Björkbacka nursing home and the addition of the new Bangårdsgatan special housing in the Storsjöstrand district, the need for age-friendly green spaces has also increased in the area. Östersund municipality is meeting the need in various ways and in the summer of 2023 is refurbishing Surfbukten at a cost of SEK 1 million with a new café and sunshade to meet an increasingly broad target group.