Redefining Residential Architecture: Designing Housing Estates for Older People in Poland

According to statistical forecasts, one in six people on the planet will be 60 years of age or older by 2030. By 2050, the number of people in this age group is predicted to double to 2.1 billion. Furthermore, it is projected that the number of people 80 years of age and older would treble between 2020 and 2050, reaching 426 million. For architects, this demographic transition poses a serious problem, especially when it comes to creating ergonomic living environments that adhere to universal design principles. With a focus on prefabricated large-panels technology built in Poland between 1960 and 1989, this study examines and presents effective design ideas for senior residential complexes and contrasts them with Polish and European approaches. The study addresses the unique needs of senior citizens, taking into account both physical and cognitive limitations, and provides a thorough analysis of statistical data to highlight the difficulties in designing for seniors. The article showcases creative design solutions made for people with cognitive impairments including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. One of the key studies undertaken in the article was the analysis of the existing Popowice Północne housing estate in Wrocław, constructed using large-panel technology. Additionally, it sets out the fundamentals for developing age-friendly cities and provides thorough guidelines for a comprehensive approach to constructing living areas that are age-friendly. The article utilizes literature and statistical data analysis, case study research, and a comparative method. To summarize the analyses and research, a SWOT analysis was conducted on the accessibility of large-panel buildings for the older people.