| Society is aging at an unprecedented rate. This study responds to this demographic trend in relation to environmental design processes and practice. Today, and in the future, design and planning practitioners must strive for environments that are both suitable and appropriate for a growing older adult population and recognize the importance of including older adults in participatory design processes. However, in the past, older adults have generally been marginalized and excluded from many decisions that affect their lives. The decision-making processes in the field of environmental design, whether urban design and planning, landscape architecture, architecture, or interior design, is no exception.;The analysis, research findings, and recommendations developed from this study provide tools and suggestions for advocating and furthering this practice in the future for older adults, design practitioners, and those with an interested in the field of environments for older adults.;This study explores the opportunity for older adults to contribute to the design of the built environment in a meaningful way by empowering them in the decision-making process while at the same time creating more livable and meaningful environments. Through a theoretical analysis, literature review, and interview research, this study approaches this issue from a practitioner point of view and aims to evaluate this emerging but limited practice and learn how to advance this concept in the future. |
