Transform urban planning with inclusive design strategies that create safe, accessible, and supportive environments for older adults and individuals living with dementia.
Social isolation is increasingly recognised as one of the most significant factors affecting health, wellbeing, and quality of life in later years. Yet many contemporary neighbourhoods continue to prioritise vehicle movement, fragmented land use, and low social interaction, creating environments that can intensify loneliness and reduce independence for older adults. As populations age, planners, architects, and municipalities are facing growing pressure to create places that support connection, accessibility, and long-term community wellbeing.
This session explores age- and dementia-inclusive urban design from a practical placemaking perspective. Drawing on research and community engagement approaches developed through the DemSCAPE project, the webinar examines how urban planning, public realm design, and neighbourhood identity influence belonging, independence, and social connection. Participants will gain evidence-based strategies for designing healthier, more inclusive communities that support people living with dementia while improving quality of life for broader populations.
Key Topics Discussed:
Urban Planner & Communications Lead | Happy Cities
Emma is an urban planner, storyteller, and designer with a multidisciplinary background in anthropology, journalism, and urban geography. She leads communications at Happy Cities, translating research and best practices into compelling stories that show the power of urban design in influencing human wellbeing. Her combination of urban planning and communications skills ensures our communications are both accessible and engaging, distilling complex planning concepts into creative graphics, stories, and reports. Emma has worked to create happier and healthier communities through a wide range of public engagement, policy, and research projects at Happy Cities. She has completed urban planning, graphic design, and communications work for municipalities across North America—all the way from St. Petersburg, Florida to Vancouver, British Columbia. She brings expertise in consulting work on active mobility and best-practice bicycle infrastructure. Emma completed a master’s degree in Urban Geography at McGill University, where she conducted federally funded research on new master-planned eco-cities with the New Cities Lab.
