The role of citizen science in engaging older adults with age-friendly green spaces

This project addresses the global challenges of an ageing population and rapid urbanisation by exploring how citizen science can support the engagement of older adults in shaping age-friendly green spaces. Conducted in the City of Unley, South Australia, the study engaged 30 older residents (aged 60+) as citizen scientists to trial a multi-format audit tool and co-reflect on its use in practice for creating age-friendly environments, generating practical insights for future research and design practice. Integrating audits into participants’ daily routines and everyday life spaces ensured that findings reflected lived experiences. Citizen science was not merely a data collection tool but a sustained dialogue, with regular workshops and informal café sessions supporting motivation, peer learning, and collaborative analysis. Participants reported challenges such as sustaining long-term motivation, but also highlighted opportunities for empowerment, confidence-building, and strengthened community ties. Importantly, many older adults described shifts in how they experienced their environments—becoming more observant, extending their walking habits, and growing more confident in voicing ideas. Several participants continued their civic engagement beyond the project, illustrating the lasting impact of participation. The study contributes methodological insights into designing inclusive citizen science initiatives, offering guidance on recruitment, tool development, and engagement strategies tailored to older populations. Overall, this study demonstrates the power of citizen science not only to generate grounded data but also to empower older adults and co-produce inclusive urban knowledge. Findings provide process-focused insights into age-friendly engagement and illustrate the broader potential of citizen science in shaping equitable, community led public spaces. Overall, this research demonstrates how citizen science can move beyond data collection to become a co-creative process that empowers older adults and informs age-friendly urban transformation.