Growing Playful, Never Lonely : Ludic Landscapes : Weaving Playfulness into the Fabric of Urban Placemaking among Older Adults with Dementia

My graduate project explores the integration of playful, intergenerational spaces into urban placemaking, with a focus on older adult communities with dementia. Inspired by the principles of ludic landscapes (refer to page 07 for key terms), it argues that urban environments often fail to address the cognitive, social, and sensory needs of aging populations, especially in cities like Victoria, BC, where a significant percentage of the population are those 65 years-of-age and older. The goal of this project is to emphasize the importance of play as a tool to combat loneliness, while enhancing mental and physical well-being. By examining precedent studies and urban planning frameworks, this research highlights the potential for play-centered interventions to create inclusive, adaptable public spaces. The design for the site will explore sensory elements and cognitive engagement tools to challenge the perceptions of public space and promote more dementia-inclusive communities. The site for these interventions will be selected in Victoria’s downtown core, reflecting its aging population and unique city structure.