Transition in the Built Environment

M.A. Lijun Chen

15118 Ústav nauky o budovách, 15150 Ústav designu

The world’s population is ageing and countries are urgently seeking new solutions to ageing issues. According to Irwin (2015), Transition Design (TD) is a new design proposition for a rapidly changing society based on thinking about the concept of the “long-term” and the idea of global localism, placing the natural world in a more macro context, and advocating a more systematic approach to the transition to a more sustainable future for a design-led society. In the context of active ageing, this PhD research aims to explore how TD guides Design Research and Practice, taking the example of the sustainable transformation of age-friendly community centres (AFCC), from the vision of stakeholders, and the perspective of designers and policymakers, incorporating stakeholders, especially older people, into the design decision-making process, recognizing their entire lifestyle, and involving the infrastructure reimagination, including the products, services, environment, and social systems involved. Through wicked problem in AFCC, stakeholder relations, historical evolution of wicked problem, future visions, and designing system interventions, discussing the transitional design strategy and future trends for AFCC. The transition framework and design strategies for sustainable inclusive AFCC under TD core tenets will be addressed. This will enrich the theoretical and practical basis of TD and have significant implications for the sustainable development of ageing communities.

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M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

15116 Ústav modelového projektování, 15118 Ústav nauky o budovách, 15119 Ústav urbanismu

The world’s population is ageing. New measures and concepts of population ageing are significant for assessing the living conditions and living arrangements of the elderly, their contributions to society, and their needs for social protection and health care. In 2018 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report subtitled “Looking back over the last decade, looking forward to the next”, which explicitly mentions technology as a support for age-friendly environments. Although the WHO has discussed the involvement of technology and computers in terms of access to information etc., and uses technology as a “supplementary indicator” regarding “internet access,” in 2019 Marston and van Hoof are critical of WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities model, which lacks reference to and recognition of technological solutions in multiple domains. Increasingly, scholars are finding recognition of the importance of technology and digitalisation as the third pillar of age-friendly cities and communities, particularly in terms of use-friendly and sustainable design, acceptance of technology, and implementation and caregiver needs. The creation of genuine multisectoral action based on cooperation between the various disciplines make it possible to achieve a truly age-friendly society for present and future generations. In the context of active ageing and global digital trends, this study focuses on the analysis of two digital practices (digital twins and artificial intelligence) in the built environment of age-friendly communities, discusses inclusive transformation strategies for age-friendly communities, presents a proposed framework for inclusive digital age-friendly community transformation, illustrates future trends in age-friendly community design planning, and provides a reference point for future research.

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M.A. Lijun Chen

15118 Ústav nauky o budovách, 15150 Ústav designu

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M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

15116 Ústav modelového projektování, 15118 Ústav nauky o budovách, 15119 Ústav urbanismu

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M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

According to United Nations statistics for 2019, the number of people aged 65 or over is projected to reach 1.5 billion by 2050. The global trend of population ageing will place pressure on countries in terms of infrastructure, social security, health care, public policy, and innovation in mindsets. Simultaneously, the development of digital technology has led to a variety of lifestyles and cognitive transformations that are not as widespread among the older population. In these challenging times, the need to reduce the gap between older adults and digital technology has become a crucial social issue, and Social Innovation, as the vital opportunity to solve intractable social problems, needs to be leveraged to address broader issues. This paper explores new approaches to social innovation in the digital technology age, based on the context of age-friendly community transitions. Through an analysis of digital practices in ageing communities, a process framework is proposed that provides a pathway for communities to become age-friendly and liveable, and enhance the quality of life of older residents, enabling them to become more involved in community development and resulting in sustainable improvements in their living environment.

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

The world is currently facing the largest refugee crisis in history, with an estimated 79.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Jordan is one of the countries most affected by the crisis, hosting over 2.8 million registered refugees, the majority of whom live in camps.1 These camps have traditionally been viewed as temporary solutions to a crisis, providing basic needs such as shelter, food, and water, but lacking in terms of livability. This paper argues that refugee camps in Jordan have the potential to transition into dynamic, adaptable urban ecosystems from temporary shelters while reconsidering the role of refugees in exercising ownership of their spaces.

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

Smart cities continue to be discussed throughout Europe as a result of the continent's rising urbanization and the need for sustainable development. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly promote this shift by assisting cities in becoming more effective, sustainable, and receptive to the requirements of their residents. This study examines the potential and difficulties of AI in urban development and presents a framework for incorporating AI into city planning and management. This study evaluates the advantages of AI in fostering public involvement, reducing costs, and enhancing city services, as well as the potential challenges related to data privacy, ethics, and socioeconomic imbalance. It does this by using examples from European cities. This study presents a set of ethical and inclusive AI criteria, such as transparency, inclusion, and accountability, to enable responsible AI research and implementation. It continues by emphasizing the need for efficient AI integration in smart cities and pushing for a holistic AI-enabled transition to inclusive and sustainable smart cities.

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doc. Ing. arch. David Tichý, Ph.D., prof. Ing. Vladimír Kočí, Ph.D., MBA, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

The demand for age-friendly communities that can support the health and well-being of older people is rising as Europe's population ages. Communities are facing transition issues. Transition Design is an emerging design approach that seeks to address complex social and environmental challenges through participatory processes, including re-framing the present and future, designing interventions, and waiting and observing. This article explores the potential of Transition Design to create age-friendly communities in Europe. Drawing on examples from several European countries, it describes the key principles of Transition Design and how they can be applied to the development of age-friendly communities. The article highlights the importance of participatory processes in involving older people and other stakeholders in the design process and discusses the role of technology in creating more accessible and inclusive environments. The article also considers some of the challenges of implementing a transition design approach in a European context. In conclusion, it argues that Transition Design offers a promising framework for creating age-friendly communities that are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of older people.

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

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prof. Dr. Henri Hubertus Achten, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc.

A digital twin is the mapping of a physical twin between hybrid spaces. The lifecycle of digital and physical twins occurs through the concepts of foetal, child, and adult twins. This technology can be used to assist clients and designers with real-time data. The use of digital twin technology in architectural design can be realised at various stages, from design to operation. Designers will be able to gain knowledge of the past, present, and future using this technology. This will reveal possible design scenarios. In this study, a hypothetical scenario is designed, in which designers build a building while already having a digital twin template. To do this, Building Information Modelling is used as a reference model for digital twins, along with the fidelity levels of digital twins and the level of detail-development of BIM. When designers want to design a new project related to their predecessors, they already use the same type of digital twin-building portfolio they can use for their new design. A digital twin will help optimise the new process. Therefore, the digital twin of a building with a similar building type can be used to extract relevant data for the design process.

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

Smart cities continue to be discussed throughout Europe as a result of the continent’s rising urbanization and the need for sustainable development. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly promote this shift by assisting cities in becoming more effective, sustainable, and receptive to the requirements of their residents. The goal of this study is to examine the potential and difficulties of AI in urban development and present a framework for incorporating AI into city planning and management in European cities. This is done by analyzing case study examples from European cities and examining primary and secondary data sources, with the aim of providing a comprehensive framework for the sustainable integration of AI systems. This study presents a set of ethical and inclusive AI criteria, such as transparency, inclusion, and accountability, to enable responsible AI research and implementation. It continues by emphasizing the need for efficient AI integration in smart cities and pushing for a holistic AI-enabled transition to inclusive and sustainable smart cities.

Detail

prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

The world is currently facing the largest refugee crisis in history, with an estimated 79.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Jordan is one of the countries most affected by the crisis, hosting over 2.8 million registered refugees, the majority of whom live in camps. These camps have traditionally been viewed as temporary solutions to a crisis, providing basic needs such as shelter, food, and water, but lacking in terms of livability. This paper argues that refugee camps in Jordan have the potential to transition into dynamic, adaptable urban ecosystems from temporary shelters while reconsidering the role of refugees in exercising ownership of their spaces.

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

This chapter critically examines the dynamic nature of refugee camps within Jordan’s unique socio-political context. Focusing on architectural, social, and environmental dimensions, the chapter unveils transitional typologies that challenge conventional ideas of permanence. Architecturally, it explores adaptive design solutions, emphasizing flexibility and sustainability. Socially, it delves into community-led initiatives and participatory planning, highlighting the agency and resilience of displaced populations. Environmentally, the chapter investigates the ecological impact of refugee settlements and advocates for sustainable practices. Through case studies and interdisciplinary analysis, this chapter offers insights into the transitional processes of refugee camps from temporary shelters to long-term dwellings, aiming to inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers on enhancing the dignity, agency, and sustainability of displaced communities in Jordan and globally.

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, Noor Marji, MSc.

Refugee camps are defined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as “temporary facilities built to provide immediate protection and assistance to people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution or violence” (UNHCR, 2021). The average lifespan of a refugee camp is seventeen years (Moore, 2017) after which they organically transition into new towns. This is evident in Jordan, the country housing the majority of refugees since 1947 (UNHCR, 2018). Daily practices by refugees subvert the initial planned camp into organic formations suitable for their changing needs, overriding the rigid built environment which no longer serves them (Harrouk, 2021), (Aburamadan, et al., 2020). Addressing SDGs number 10: Reduced Inequalities, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and 17: Partnerships of change, this ongoing research assesses the potential of artificial intelligence models to identify morphological patterns in the built environment and understand transient scenarios of a refugee camp’s spatial organization through an iterative process. By understanding patterns of spatial change, the inevitable transition from temporary to permanent settlement can be guided away from “slummification” towards creating adequate low-income housing for refugees in Jordan.

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