The Concept of Multifunctional Social Spaces as a High-Quality Intergenerational Premise: Sustainable Environmental Education Impetus

Abstract

This study suggests the concept of multifunctional social spaces (MSSs) as intergenerational communication platforms, contributing to SDG achievement and environment awareness in local communities. Retirees could perform socially significant practices via local MSS premises supported by municipalities and initiative groups. The basic social vector of an MSS is supposed to produce a synergy effect with the educational and environmental impetus of the Sustainable Environmental Education (SEE) approach. Lifelong education underlies the process of adapting various age groups to different local spaces, namely metropolis, suburb, or rural areas. Test qualitative interviews were conducted with pensioners and young people to discover attitudes towards MSS-prescribed functions within different reference groups. These interviews helped to define the preferred communication instruments for MSS operation. General types of MSSs were classified based on mini case studies. MSS introduction is supposed to influence basic social indices such as population health, life expectancy, and fertility levels in the long term, and support several environmental awareness markers. Future studies could examine such influences in detail and discuss more national and regional specifics. Municipal and regional authorities, as well as local community leaders, could use the results of this study to consider local development, SDG strategies, and roadmaps.

1. Introduction

One of the most important tasks for achieving a decent quality of life among retirees and supporting the youth in post-traditional societies in urbanized areas is the maintenance of intergenerational communication platforms, which could effectively address local cultural and environmental specifics. This study suggests the concept of multifunctional social spaces (MSSs, or MSS clubs) (we have chosen this term rather than its variations, namely polyfunctional social spaces (PFSSs), polyfunctional public spaces (PFPSs), or multifunctional public spaces (MPSs), but these terms could be all used as synonyms to describe the subject that we study in this paper), which could be treated as local (municipal) social premises or club spaces for (1) retirees, (2) teenagers, and (3) the middle-aged. Their purpose is to integrate various age groups of society using modern communication and cultural and contextual bases appealing synergistically to environmental issues.

The main goal of creating and operating MSSs is to increase the social mobility and involvement in the public life of people of retirement age and teenagers. This is supposed to improve several social indices for local societies, including health indicators in the mid-term and indicators of longevity and fertility levels in the long term. Besides the informal transfer of professional experience and existential notions from the older to the younger generation, MSSs could act as environmental awareness agents.

In modern conditions, it is appropriate that the intergenerational practice platforms that were widespread in the past (veterans’ organizations, etc.) should be modified to suit ESGs and modern traditional values. MSS formation in different countries and regions could additionally take into account successful national, European, North American, and Asian experiences.

Today, local societies differ in their historical, cultural, and natural peculiarities. The basic differences are usually attributed to wealth and social dynamic characteristics. These indicate a country’s affiliation to the so-called “First World” (the “Golden Billion” or “West” [1]), “Second World” (developing economies and modernizing societies), or “Third World”. Several main indices of BRICS countries and other modernizing societies have gotten closer to those of Western societies in recent years (

Table 1. Modernizing societies’ main economic and social indices in comparison with main Western economies as of 2024–2025.

Country	Population, Million People	Share of Women, %	Share of People Aged > 64 in Population, %	Share of City Residents, %	2000s Fertility Rate	2020s Fertility Rate	GDP per Capita at PPP, Thousand USD	Share of USD Millionaires, %	Gini Coefficient
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Brazil	223.1	50.80%	6.69%	91.40%	2.20	2.15	19.6	0.17%	0.52
China *	1479.7	48.10%	8.82%	67.50%	1.63	1.02	23.8	0.43%	0.39
India	1475.6	48.40%	5.40%	37.08%	3.00	1.96	9.8	0.06%	0.43
Russia **	146.3 **	53.70%	13.02%	75.27%	1.42	1.47	41.7	0.29%	0.41
Turkey	92.3	50.10%	6.20%	76.92%	2.30	1.62	35.3	0.07%	0.45
Iran	89.7	49.30%	4.96%	73.32%	1.80	1.69	16.2	0.06%	0.35
Mexico	138.7	50.70%	6.49%	87.86%	3.00	1.97	22.8	0.24%	0.45
Saudi Arabia	39.4	44.80%	2.91%	92.12%	3.70	2.25	62.7	0.86%	0.46
UAE	11.0	30.50%	0.91%	81.15%	2.50	1.21	42.5	2.19%	0.33
Indonesia	292.7	50.10%	6.09%	59.63%	2.47	2.15	14.5	0.06%	0.37
Vietnam	103.3	50.60%	5.49%	41.38%	1.98	1.91	14.4	0.02%	0.35
SAR	62.7	50.50%	5.64%	66.60%	2.50	2.22	13.6	0.07%	0.63
EU (Euro Zone)	450.4	50.70%	21.70%	74.63%	1.52	1.43	38.1	1.27%	0.35
USA	344.6	50.60%	13.05%	83.51%	2.04	1.63	75.5	6.91%	0.42
Japan	125.8	51.30%	22.90%	93.10%	1.33	1.24	46.1	2.25%	0.56

* Without Taiwan; ** without reintegrated Donbass and left-bank Dnieper regions. Note: Table 1 was compiled by the authors based on data from the following: https://countrymeters.info (accessed on 15 October 2025); https://statbase.ru (accessed on 15 October 2025); https://ru.tradingeconomics.com (accessed on 15 October 2025); https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/gini-coefficient-by-country (accessed on 15 October 2025; https://statista.com (accessed on 15 October 2025); Yandex browser “Alice” AI 1.0 search instrument.

).

The data and comparative estimates presented above describe the overall number and general characteristics of older people, over 60/65, or pensioners (columns 2–5), their expected wealth level (column 8), and dramatically changing family environments (dynamics of columns 6 and 7).

Based on Table 1, one could conclude the following:

(1)

In most listed countries, the female population is dominant (most noticeably in Russia), usually due to the longer life expectancy of women. However, in the countries with the largest populations—namely China and India—there are fewer women.

(2)

Fertility rates (the number of live births per woman) are falling in all countries and, as of 2024–2025, only Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia exceed the so-called replacement level of 2.10–2.15.

(3)

GDP per capita based on PPP has reached the level of European countries and Japan only in a few “Second World” countries, but it is still significantly behind the United States; according to the estimates based on PPP, the weakest “West” economy today is the Euro Zone.

(4)

The largest number of USD millionaires (calculated at the current USD exchange rate) live in the United States [2]. However, when converted to PPP, the number of millionaires in the United States may be significantly lower: as recently as 2020, their number in the United States was estimated at about 6.5 million people [3], unlike the 2025 estimate of 24 million. The perception of wealth, however, has not followed the same level of abundance [4].

(5)

In terms of the Gini coefficient (wealth inequality), South Africa, Japan, and Brazil stand out among other countries.

(6)

Analyzing the share of the population over 64, three groups of countries can be distinguished: for most countries, the indicator is 5–9%, including India and China; Russia and the United States have average values of about 13%; and the indicator reaches the highest value among the EU countries and in Japan, at 22–23%.

(7)

The only country in which mass urbanization has not yet led to an excess of the urban population is India; in other countries, the urban population accounts for 60–90%.

The relevance of this study lies in the fact that an increasing proportion of people worldwide are entering retirement. Urbanization forms more effective economy and production structure, but it declines fertility suggesting singlehood as a widespread lifestyle [5,6,7]. The effects of urbanization are particularly noticeable in Europe and Japan exacerbating the demographic “burden”.

Given the growing number and role of retirees in society, it is necessary to ensure not only their physical health but, equally important, their peace of mind and spiritual well-being. The latter ones depend on socializing with other elderly and middle-aged people, but also with young people. The issue appeals to the “continuous sustainable education” and the Sustainable Environmental Education (SEE) concepts, suiting and promulgating ESG values.

SEE considers the issues of the transformation in educational practices that would allow better sustainability advances [8,9,10]. Some latter issues, in particular, analyze new instruments and nature-based approaches for school and university students [11,12,13]. The idea that the urban environment needs multifunctional social management instruments has been widely articulated in previous research [14]. However, there is a gap linking social inclusion, lifelong learning, and SEE as a policy-relevant operational concept. The introduction of an MSS suggests a way to fill that gap. MSS premises are intended to serve primarily as retirees’ (pensioners/aged people) means of adaptation to new spheres of socialization outside of their profession. However, the further deepening of the MSS concept implies that successful people’s memory, experience, and culture transfer form a focus point linking lifelong learning, social inclusion, and SEE in the general context of SDG achievement for local communities.

At this conceptual stage of research, the paper defines the ways of linking the SEE and intergenerational well-being. It also considers several cases which allowed the authors to suggest initial classification for general types of MSS. Municipal and regional authorities, as well as community leaders, could use the results of this issue to consider the organization of different MSS forms (formats) for entrenchment of their SDG policies.

2. Materials and Methods

The main goal of this paper is to suggest and discuss the concept of an MSS as of a modern and high-quality intergenerational communication platform.

The following Research Questions were formulated. What are the preferred ways of socialization of the pensioners being out of their profession? How the different lifestyles of retirees and the territorial factors impact their general behavior? What basic communication instruments and activities could be used for initiation and effective MSS operation, ensuring creative intergenerational interactions (“integrative practices”)? What is the way to incorporate environmental (ecological) aspects into MSS intergenerational practices? What countable and uncountable results should the effective MSS operation provide?

Research Methods. The scientific methods of this work are socioeconomic and secondary statistical data analysis, test qualitative study (interview) and table survey.

For a test qualitative study, a total of 95 interviews were held in September–December 2025 in six cities of Russia and the USA. In these six metropolises, the MSS prototypes were already established or could be established. The authors supposed including at least two countries into the study to elaborate sound interview questionnaires. The general aim of a test study was to discuss with city residents of ages 60–75 and 12–18 the concept, mission, main supposed possibilities, and functions of an MSS. The differences in the respondents’ family and other statuses were aimed to confirm the coherence of the reference groups and were used to analyze the corresponding diversity of their opinions.

The number of interviews was limited. Along the two stages of the test study, a total of 59 interviews were held in Russian cities and 36 in the USA. More extensive interview studies and surveys should be conducted in order to achieve better representation and usage of the even samples.

The interviews were held personally or via video chats. Sixty (60) interviews were held with retirees and thirty-five (35) interviews with young people.

Inclusion criteria for retirees were as follows:

Aged from 60 to 75 years (21 male, 39 female; Mage = 69.5, SD = 5.3);

Working and not working: 5 retirees—working part-time; 3—working full-time; 52—not working;

Engaged with grandchildren and not engaged: 12—engaged on regular basis (several times per week); 41—engaged several times per month; 7—not engaged.

Inclusion criteria for the young people were as follows:

Aged from 12 to 18 years (14 male, 21 female; Mage = 14.9, SD = 2.6);

Engaged in sports and other youth activities and not engaged: 21—engaged at least 3 times per week; 14—not engaged or engaged several times per month;

The request for help with their studies: 7—need help; 12—need help occasionally; 16—do not need help.

Research Design. The interview study included free answers to the questions and rating of the suggested MSS basic communication instruments (table survey). It was conducted the following way. During interviews with older and young people lasting 20–30 min each, the following were discussed:

-

The concept of an MSS as of an intergenerational club premise;

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The advantages and disadvantages of the residence area: respondents should justify whether they consider, now, or would consider moving to another place they are familiar with firsthand; the experience of moving;

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The hypothesizes of the study (they are listed below);

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Key cultural and natural landmarks of their region (city) that newcomers could be recommended to explore; the readiness to learn more and promote local environmental issues;

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The advantages of local intergenerational policies (if any) in comparison with other suitable examples they know about quite well;

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The rating of preferred communication instruments and/or leisure activities that will attract one to visit an MSS on a 100% scale (Section 3);

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Desirable additions to the suggested basic communication and leisure activities set.

Research Interpretation. The respondents’ answers obtained during the interviews were interpreted using a mixed-methods (hybrid) analysis. Most of the responses were summarized through thematic analysis and interpretive reading. Some of the respondents’ answers provided grounds for the use of narrative analysis. The interview interpretation by authors was carried out generally using an inductive approach. Deduction was used to a smaller extent, when it helped to clarify the question wording itinerary. As a result, thematic and inductive approaches predominated in this study, while elements of narrative analysis and deduction were also used. Interpretations were validated and finalized through iterative reading and discussion among authors. The findings were compared with the approaches outlined in the works by other authors. The general interview interpretations are presented in Section 3. Some excerpts were included throughout the text of the issue to illustrate the theoretical argument.

Survey answers were analyzed using mixed ANOVA for differences between referent groups.

Hypothesizes. The following hypothesizes were stated in the issue:

H1. 

“The foundations for long-term integrative educational practices (“lifelong learning”) at MSS should typically include: participation of nowadays retirees in significant events, the progress in their professional skills, sporting achievements, family building”.

H2. 

“The operational short-term intergenerational communications at MSS should typically include: helping children who are lagging behind in their studies; training and refereeing of youth teams; common hobbies”.

H3. 

“MSS intergenerational practices would attract firstly:

-

Retirees, who have a stamina but do not live at the same agglomeration with their children and grandchildren if there are any;

-

Teenagers, whose parents moved from other regions and they are looking for adaptation and help lacking grandparents’ participation.

H4. 

“Environmental aspects could be incorporated into MSS intergenerational practices appealing to local nature preservation questions”.

The ideas of the “lifelong learning” and the “Sustainable Environmental Education”. In the scientific literature of the 20th century, two points of view were formed on the problem of intergenerational relations. Some authors substantiated the idea of a global general gap between generations, which is constantly increasing (M. Mead, S.N. Parkinson). Others emphasized the pendulum nature of intergenerational relations. From their point of view, periods of conflict alternate with periods of continuity (J. Ortega y Gasset, L. Feuer) [15,16].

Of particular value for the analysis of intergenerational relations in Russia are the works of B. Dubin and Yu. Lotman, revealing the connection between the socioeconomic changes taking place in the country and the cultural and historical tradition at the current stage of societal development [17,18].

The idea of old age as a special period of human life for wisdom formed historically. Effective intergenerational relations suppose that older people gain a sense of social security and care, recognition, and the opportunity to translate their expertise and opinions to the younger generation. Integrative intergenerational communication embraces the environmental bias in quite a natural way. The principle of love for living beings and nature appears to be a part of human wisdom. The respectful attitude of the young generation toward the elders is also a natural aspect of the SEE and social sustainability.

3. Findings/Results

3.1. The Nature of Intergenerational Conflicts and the Role of Grandparents After Retirement

In different historical periods, the relations between generations were characterized by quite a strong tension, sometimes escalating into open conflict. Conflicts among different generations of peasants in the 18th and 19th centuries were observed by plenty of researchers of native literature and traditions [19,20,21]. Young people, who acquired the wrong notion of “liberty”, began to look down on the culture, values, and traditions represented by the older generation. In a number of cases all over the world it lead a rampant desire of young leaders to “destroy the old unjust world” (including through a bloody revolution and terror), rather than gradual evolution and self-improvement values.

However, by recruiting the youth to the military service (its term reached 12–20 years in the 1760s–1850s in Russia), the state managed to introduce innovations into the traditional peasant community and to stabilize it [19]. Moreover, military service may be associated with the modern concept of lifelong education: soldiers of several generations being posed in the specific conditions of the military service learned and acquired experience more intensively [22,23].

The sociological analysis shows that intergenerational conflicts arise, first of all, between neighboring generations—fathers and children [24,25]. As part of so-called initiation practices, the representatives of neighboring generations usually compete, which is part of a global social competition for limited resources. However according to general intergenerational relations’ role scheme, grandparents usually help the young pretenders of the both genders while they are not experienced to reach the better results and gain the “knowledge of life”. The generations of grandfathers and grandchildren usually do not compete, but cooperate. Giving the knowledge, grandparents, at their turn, could need a cover and feeling of social involvement—especially after retirement.

“…It is important for me to have s possibility to express some of my thoughts to young people…” (the respondent of 67 years old–signed “years” below), “…Attention and support from young people is always gratifying…” (72 years), “…I can listen to advices from unfamiliar elders when they clearly understand my problem…” (14 years).

In modern society, retirement upon completion of professional activity suggests a choice. Many consider the opportunity to find a lighter replacement for their usual job or continue to work after 60/64 years. For 49% or working retirees in Europe, their job is a means to upkeep personal activity and a sense of social inclusion (https://www.ir-press.ru/2024/12/09/13-of-european-pensioners-are-still-working/?ysclid=mhxhznez30688535196; accessed on 13 November 2025). The fear of loneliness and social irrelevance was found to be abundant amongst the pre-retirement workers [26,27]. More and more city residents devote their prime time to work, while limiting their personal and family life with all its attachments. Workaholics form middle management and professionals’ pools in plenty of economic spheres [28,29]. In Russia, the increase in the retirement age to 65 years for men and to 60 years for women since 2019 (pension reform) facilitated the competition for the job positions [24,25,30,31].

Giving the depicted trend, people over 60/65 in countries with an actual fertility rate below 2.1–2.15 (the threshold of so-called “natural reproduction”) form the fastest growing group of the population. In western countries, this demographic trend formed since the 1950s–1970s, and in the countries of “post-traditional” or modernizing societies—in the last 20–30 years. For example, the share of 60+ grew in France from 18.1% in 1970 to 22.7% in 2009 [32] and to ~28.0% in 2024–2025 [33]. France and other EU countries accept a plenty of migrants, primarily from Africa and Middle East states, which forms the “replacement migration” trend [34,35,36]. The demographics for highly urbanized countries—Western and Asian countries, and Russia as well—states the lack of the native labor force [37,38,39]. Many of the aged workers are forced to compete for job positions with non-family youngsters, who arrived from other countries and regions. Although many aged over 60/65 keep working or helping their families, some others look for socialization.

“…Working effectively is possible up to a certain point…” (70 years), “At some point, I chose to retire to help to my grandchildren…” (72 years), “…Meetings with friends are important to me… I can listen my mate on her granddaughter news, despite I don’t have my own…” (66 years).

Actual estimates for the types of the main occupation of the older people over 64 years (the standard statistical category) are presented in

Table 2. The estimates for retirees’ types of employment or other main occupation in key modernizing economies and the main Western economic powers as of 2024–2025.

Country	>64, Million People	Full-Time Work, %	Own Business/Part-Time Job, %	Family Occupied, %	Diseases, %	The Rest (“Free”), %
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Brazil	14.9	8%	4%	26%	25%	37%
China *	130.5	11%	5%	19%	23%	42%
India	79.7	9%	8%	25%	25%	33%
Russia **	19.0	23%	11%	23%	22%	21%
Turkey	5.7	11%	7%	25%	23%	34%
Iran	4.5	9%	5%	26%	18%	42%
Mexico	9.0	11%	7%	29%	24%	29%
Saudi Arabia	1.1	5%	3%	17%	23%	52%
UAE	0.1	3%	4%	18%	25%	50%
Indonesia	17.8	14%	9%	40%	15%	22%
Vietnam	5.7	19%	11%	30%	20%	20%
SAR	3.5	14%	7%	26%	23%	30%
EU	97.7	13%	8%	16%	23%	40%
USA	45.0	19%	12%	19%	16%	34%
Japan	28.8	14%	9%	17%	24%	36%

* Without Taiwan; ** without reintegrated Donbass and left-bank Dnieper regions; Note: Table 2 was compiled by the authors based on the data: https://www.ir-press.ru (accessed on 13 November 2025); https://www.pewresearch.org (accessed on 13 November 2025); http://rbc.ru/ (accessed on 13 November 2025); https://statista.com (accessed on 13 November 2025); https://www.japantimes.co.jp (accessed on 13 November 2025); Yandex browser “Alice” AI 1.0 search instrument. Analyzing Table 2 one should keep in mind that the minimal pension age gradually differs from country to country according to local legislation. The pension age usually starts from 55 to 60 for women and from 58 to 65 for men.

.

Table 2 shows that a sufficient number of older people, from 12% to 31%, continue working either at full- or at part-time mode. The retirees aged 60–70, primarily women, help within their families, which forms from 16% to 40% of major retirees’ occupation. This practice depends, to a high degree, on the country and its culture and is more usual for modernizing societies. After reaching 70—80 years of age, many retirees struggle with grand diseases: from 15% to 25%, according to the estimates. However, from 20% to 52% of retirees could be called relatively “free”, which depends on lifestyle, country, region, place (city, suburb, or rural area), and season (summer or winter).

This study suggests that estimated relatively “free” retirees form the target audience for an MSS, and could be useful to their neighbors, especially for young ones, who arrived with their parents from other regions and countries. If the MSS suggests an attractive model, the local retirees, who look for socialization, could “replace”, to some extent, the role of native grandparents to those who are young (without money remuneration).

“I’m ready to teach humanities to children and teenagers at the social center, why not?” (71 year), “We’ve already had similar classes, and I helped them to learn the native language…” (67 years), “…Sometimes I needed help with my homework, I received it from my church community member…” (13 years).

The crucial step for such types of socialization for retirees is to find grateful students, who may not be their younger relatives, but other people, being closer in spirit or due to the circumstances. As a result, by informally linking the representatives of several ages, MSS could neutralize some reasons for intergenerational tenses.

3.2. Possible Lifestyles of Retirees and the Urban Spaces as a Structuring Factor in Behavior

Famous sociologist K. Gini called pensioners a “problem” social group, not participating in value creation processes and forming an increasing “burden” for the state [40]. The issue of providing a decent standard of living for pensioners today, in many countries, depends on the successful “external” migration and the roll-out of the more useful lifestyles among the older people [41,42,43]. Modern social-gerontology theories [44,45,46] name the following lifestyles, which could also be considered as psychological types of retirees.

• Social isolation type. Retirement is characterized by a reduction in social ties and communications. Separation from children leads to “outside the company” feelings. The process includes three stages: segregation from the former job-associated environment; transition to the state, in which a retired worker can no longer implement his usual competencies; and incorporation as a retiree in the same social group. About 60–75% of retirees.
• Personality profiling type. Active life position allows one to perceive the reduction in life opportunities relatively painlessly, being included in communities besides the former main job [47,48]. To support the profiling type in Japan, the retired workers can visit their former employer’s offices, even if they, in fact, can no longer perform usual functional duties. About 10–25% of retirees.
• Age asymmetry of values type. Some pensioners form the solvent group of the population with a significant set of annual expenses. They spend a lot on medical services and rejuvenation procedures, real estate, new cars, international tours [49,50]. About 3–7% of retirees.

The preferred type of elderly people for society and state would have high professional and educational training, continuing professional activity and creative attitudes, health, and ability to work with younger generations after 60/65 years [40,46,51]. Such a favorable lifestyle, however, is not a dominant one. One of the instruments to support it is to engage the retirees into MSS intergenerational activities. There, pensioners can continue to achieve professional communication and gain recognition from reference groups [52,53,54].

“Yes, I will agree to the offer to give short, free lectures on regular basis … as I consider it is my duty to convey the spirit of our times. There are always interested listeners…” (69 years). “I can give some professional advises to those who plan to work in the sphere…”

Pensioners of intellectual and creative professions can transmit cultural values to those who came to work or study from other regions or countries [55,56].

In western countries, in Europe and in the USA, a significant proportion of pensioners participate in civil activities and professional organizations, which are related to municipalities. These municipal organizations traditionally, at least since the 1980s, were involved in charity work, for example, teaching migrants, organizing meals for the poor, helping children who are lagging behind in their studies, etc. [56,57,58]. Such “good practices” (“best practices”) are acquired in some modernizing societies as a part of their social support programs in recent decades.

Modern means of communication have transformed the intergenerational practices to a certain extent in recent years [59,60,61]. It has become easier to communicate using social networks, video chats, network computer games, virtual communities, and so on. However, the actuality of personal meetings with face-to-face communication is still high.

“…It’s convenient (using social media instruments), I can now talk to my grandchildren in the North of the country almost anytime…” (70 years), “…The opportunity to see each other with my children doesn’t come along very often … We miss their visits and the family gathered … although I can reach them via video chat ” (75 years), “…It can be difficult to reach my family and friends sometimes… A locally accessible meeting center is a good idea…” (68 years).

Urban space is an important structuring factor in the behavior of urban residents and formation of a lifestyle specific to them. For example, pensioner is “tied” to a number of established consumer habits, to local familiar communities, meetings with children, grandchildren, and friends.

“…No, I haven’t thought about moving, since my children live here…” (68 years), “…We already moved to another country with our children once, firstly it was hard…” (72 years), “…We would have moved closer to our daughter, but the capital is very expensive…” (67 years).

Regional socioeconomic level determine the quality of local public spaces such as parks, theaters, museums, and exhibitions, entertainment, health and medical facilities, etc. [62,63,64]. Favorable climate and the historical value of landmarks—churches and temples, museums, theaters, etc.—are two other attractive territorial factors [65,66,67].

“…Our place’s comfortable infrastructure is of great importance for us…” (70 years), “…We moved here, in part, because of the good climate…” (68 years), “…Few other cities have such a wealth of history. We’re staying here and don’t want to leave…” (73 years).

Municipal authorities today are working on the ways to create age-friendly urban and suburban spaces. In order to coordinate the connections between elderly people and the representatives of younger generations, the intergenerational and social inclusion programs were fostered in some cities [68,69,70]. Such programs could reflect local social, economic, environmental, and cultural specifics.

According to it academic “fathers”, area development programs should adjust to several modes of a modern metropolis, including the social space [71,72,73]. “Social space” according to P. Bourdieu is one of the types of space (along with physical, economic, political, educational, environment, symbolic, and others)—a set of hierarchically interconnected processes, relationships, and interdependencies in the social sphere [74]. G. Simmel in the “Sociology of Space” characterized social space as a form that exists due to the energy of the activity of subjects [75]. T. Parsons introduced the concept of synergy effect, which is making the region or city district attractive or dis-attractive [76]. In addition, the territory can receive sufficient development impulse supported by state policy or “fashion” among the creative or wealthy class of residents.

Social space supports “upper”, “middle”, and “lower” layers, vertical and horizontal channels of social movement, etc. [77]. For example, the mass arrival of unskilled migrants is usually interpreted as replenishing the “lower” layer (forming “ghetto”). On the contrary, the relocation of representatives of the “creative class” can significantly increase the social status of a particular area, and sometimes an entire city or region [78,79].

Economic space is usually a long-term or strategic reality of the country’s development in the perspective of several decades [80,81]. Within the long-term period, the differences in the local policies come insufficient, because region governments and municipalities acquire the best practices from each other within the general state policy [82,83].

The space of artistic culture should be treated as quite useful and an important field of socialization. It forms the tradition for typical “frame” examples of social behavior, which are transmitted from older people, or from those having authority, to the young [84,85,86].

3.3. The Types of MSS

The unity of social, economic, and artistic cultural space at a fundamental level can serve as a basis for organizing multifunctional social spaces, which should serve as a humanistic “social technology” of modern society. MSS suggests a means for the active involvement of retirees and elderly people in public life, increasing their level of social inclusion and strengthening various practices of intergenerational interaction. Beneath this, let us analyze some basic types of MSS.

In the USA, intergenerational practices in municipalities were implemented successfully since 1963 [87,88]. Their application has shown effectiveness in solving problems of “social atomization” and adaptation of migrants. Since 1980s, academic courses for intergenerational relations recruited older adults who want to become mentors through a school or agency coordinator and trained them [89,90]. The training opportunities for migrants from different countries, including Mexico, while recruiting, were considered to be of great advantage [91,92]. The results of such programs for children and adolescents were improved school performance, increased self-esteem, valuable life experiences, the impact in personal physical and mental and also to the social health [87,93,94]. Such format will be considered in this study as Type 1 “MSS organized within central state, regional, or local policy”.

Other “best practice” case of intergenerational interaction have emerged from civic religious communities as over 60% of US population attends churches (Pew research center. Religious Landscape Study (26 February 2025)—URL: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religious-landscape-study-religious-identity (accessed on 20 November 2025)). For example, Protestant communities also use church buildings to serve social functions. A church may have a gymnasium attached to it and also a ceremonial and celebration hall for local gatherings. During these gatherings, elders (retirees) can play bingo, listen to performances by local musicians, and cook and try the dishes. Such activities let generations come close together and find common values. Such format will be considered as Type 2 “MSS organized within civic religious communities”.

The examples of MSSs prototypes in Asia [95,96,97], America [98,99,100], and Europe [101,102,103] were described in previous studies, but require further analysis and adaptation. The ways to achieve “age-friendly” local communities were researched at least by [70,88,101]. It can be stated then, that successful examples (“best practice” cases) of MSS proto samples were implemented in recent decades in several countries.

In modern Russia, the process of MSS-formats creation is under way. Currently, the following “prototypes” of MSSs could be found in Russia, implementing the functions of retirees’ socialization at least within their circle. The issue supposes that these formats have a potential for further expansion acquiring intergenerational bias and the SEE impetus.

• Municipal pensioner social centers in Moscow and its suburbs: since 2020, more than 30 units of “My Social Center” (URL: https://vk.com/moitscentr?ysclid=mkb3feltth723416519 (accessed on 8 October 2025) (in Russian)) have opened with financial assistance from Sberbank (now Sber). Also, some social centers for senior citizens opened within the “Moscow Longevity” project (Moscow Longevity (Home)—the largest health, educational, and leisure project of the Mayor of Moscow for Muscovites over 55 (since 2018)—URL: www.after55.moscow (accessed on 8 October 2025) in the suburbs, providing spaces for intellectual leisure and communication for the elderly.

To support state bodies, which could provide precarious financing in some cases, the large corporations, including those with a state share, could act as probable co-sponsors for the regional MSSs. For example, Gazprom PJSC has built several hundreds of sports facilities in Russian regions as part of its social programs in 2005–2023. In addition, the public–private partnerships (PPPs) contracts are useful to attract the resources of corporations and private funds to finance and (or) operate the socially valuable premises as MSSs. Within PPP-contracts, the state refunds the private partner’s contribution in a long-term period. “My Social Center” by Sber was considered in this issue to be equivalent to Type 1 “MSS organized within central state or regional policy”.

2.

Centers for communication and joint training for residents of micro districts, neighborhoods, and large homeowners’ associations created on the initiative of large developers and/or municipal authorities. For example, the Baltic Sails club in the Ogni Zaliva residence in St. Petersburg (www.ognizaliva.ru accessed on 15 October 2025). This format is one of the promising manifestations of the “civic consciousness” of developers of urban residential real estate (multi-apartment buildings). Such initiative of the regional medium-sized business is viable as it addresses different age strata and attracts local sport and civic society activists. Such format was considered in this issue as Type 3 “MSS organized within civic local residents’ communities with the business sponsor initiative”.

3.

The example of a unique format for an MSS is the “House of Art”, created in Sochi in 2025 by a popular local artist and blogger (https://t.me/domtvorchestv accessed on 15 October 2025). This center offers opportunities for both adults and children to meet for art exhibitions and charity projects and hosts various classes (yoga, qigong, chess, Go, and others), including for pensioners. Such format could be considered as Type 4 “MSS organized by local cultural leader initiative supported by business sponsors”.

4.

“Interest clubs,” for example, dog clubs or sports clubs, or music and art classes for children, where relatively young pensioners communicate with each other and with their grandchildren (retirees usually take and meet the grandchildren after classes). The number of pensioners who own dogs in Russia, however, is not so large (according to an estimate, no more than 3–4%) (Pet ownership statistics by country 2025—URL: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/pet-ownership-statistics-by-country (accessed on 8 October 2025)). Somewhat more widespread is the activity of older people associated with various activities of their grandchildren, where integrative communication is also possible: according to the authors’ estimate, 12–15% of Russian pensioners are connected to such activities. Such format was considered as Type 5 “Latent MSS around children sports and personal hobbies”.

Five MSS types (formats or basic forms) were described above. The issue supposes that types 1–4 could be provided by the state and/or supported by sponsors, being included to local policies’ and SDG programs. Type 5 forms social environment, which is friendly to the other types of MSS projects. These five MSS types correspond with the following estimated characteristics (

Table 3. Basic characteristics for classified types of MSS.

MSS Type	Area, sq. m	CS: City + Suburbs/ R: Rural	1 per Thousand of Local Retirees	Supported by	Notes
1	2	3	4	5	6
1. MSS organized within central state or regional policy	120–250	CS/R	15–30	State, PPP	The regions could differ due to the budget
2. MSS organized within civic religious communities	50–500	CS/R	1–500	Churches, business	Differ a lot due to the church specifics
3. MSS organized within civic local residents communities with the business sponsor initiative	20–150	CS	100–300	Business	Usually are devoted to the certain sports or hobby
4. MSS organized by local cultural leader initiative	100–500	CS	500–1000	Personal, Business	With the support of state representatives
5. Latent MSS around children sports and hobbies	-	CS/R	1–10	Personal	Ex-territorial institutional communicative phenomenon which could led to further retirees’ socialization

Note: complied by the authors. MSS organized per the specified number of local retirees include the corresponding number of local 12–18 years old, according to demography statistics.

).

The issue presumes that other forms of MSS besides those mentioned in Table 3 could also occur. As well, some former MSS formats meet substantial impediments and once appear to become no more actual.

The advertising by distinguished professionals in spheres such as sports, academic and science, production and management, and military would help to inform reference groups and attract the representatives of different ages to MSSs.

3.4. Table Survey Results

As a finishing part of the test interview study, the respondents filled up the table. It helped to find out the data about communication and leisure instruments that could be useful to MSS organization teams (

Table 4. The set of communication instruments and leisure activities for MSS introduction.

Preferred Communication and Leisure Activities	Saint Petersburg	Sochi	Moscow	Phoenix, Arizona	San Francisco, California	New York, New York
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Number of pensioners surveyed (60–75)	15	10	12	10	6	7
Preferences of pensioners
1. Total area of the premises(s), m2	120–155	80–180	120–250	120–160	80–200	200–300
2. Preferred activities and instruments:
- Chess, checkers, backgammon, Go, lotto (bingo)	93%	90%	92%	80%	67%	72%
- Performance musical equipment (microphone, amplifiers, speakers) and musical events	76%	70%	75%	70%	50%	72%
- Library of 500–1000 books, 2–3 periodicals	80%	80%	83%	50%	65%	72%
- Community kitchen	43%	52%	47%	67%	65%	57%
- Equipment for showing movies and karaoke (TV or projector, screen, microphone)	33%	50%	37%	50%	55%	42%
- Table tennis (1–2 tables)	20%	30%	33%	30%	17%	42%
- Billiards (1–2 tables)	27%	20%	25%	20%	34%	14%
- Computer games	13%	10%	8%	10%	17%	14%
- Materials on local natural and cultural landmarks	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Number of young people surveyed (12–18)	8	7	7	5	4	4
Preferences of young people
1. Total area of the premises(s), m2	100–150	120–200	150–200	-	-	-
2. Preferred activities and instruments:
- Computer games	88%	74%	86%	80%	75%	100%
- Performance musical equipment (microphone, amplifiers, speakers) and musical events	75%	72%	72%	60%	75%	100%
- Equipment for showing movies and karaoke (TV or projector, screen, microphone)	50%	72%	57%	60%	75%	75%
- Community kitchen	50%	57%	43%	60%	75%	50%
- Library of 500–1000 books, 2–3 periodicals	38%	43%	43%	40%	25%	25%
- Billiards (1–2 tables)	38%	43%	28%	20%	25%	25%
- Table tennis (1–2 tables)	25%	28%	28%	20%	25%	50%
- Chess, checkers, backgammon, Go, lotto (bingo)	25%	14%	14%	20%	25%	25%
- Materials on local natural and cultural landmarks	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Note: Table 4 was compiled by the authors upon the results of the survey.

). The typical set of premises to serve as communication instruments at an MSS was suggested by authors after brainstorming. It formed the final part of the survey questionnaire. Table 4 shows the weighted ratings of respondent groups’ opinions in different cities.

The following conclusions could be made. Being suggested the same set of instruments, old and young, show somewhat different preferences. However, the suggested set being cited at the same place for two auditoria is generally attractive enough to the both “sides”.

The desire to visit MSS initially and to visit it on the regular basis would depend for most people, especially the young, on the involved peers.

“…I’ll visit [new MSS club] along with my company [of peers]…” (16 years), “It would be interesting to at it [MSS] with my friends” (18 years), “I’m ready to stop by and see what’s going on there in MSS…” (13 years)”.

Some (from 7 to 12% of surveyed depending on city) would come to see the new premises anyway, which coincides with the general share of the type of consumers—“innovators”—described in sociology. MSS is supposed to attract the “innovators” publicly, which is supposed to bring the next waves of visitors.

Overall, from Table 4 it is clear that the preferences of retirees in the US and Russia overlap by 85–90%. The differences in teenagers’ preferences are also not crucial.

It is desirable that the suggested basic set of communication instruments contain materials devoted to the natural, cultural, and local history landmarks (see also Section 3.5). That nature appealing materials may be present in the form of interior pictures and photos on the walls, books, and albums, indoor and outdoor plants. For children, the pets like parrots could form a supplementary attraction factor. The idea that materials on local natural and cultural landmarks should be present in an MSS was supported by all respondents.

The following suggestions for the complementing of a suggested set of communication instruments were borrowed from the respondents, in particular, board games, historical materials, landscape objects like stone garden (outside MSS rooms), premises for drinking tea/coffee in Asian style, fireplace with firewood, professional literature on cooking, and cooking classes.

3.5. Interview Interpretations

Interpretive narrative and conceptual synthesis methods were used to analyze the qualitative data from the interviews. Interpretations were validated and finalized through iterative reading and discussion among authors. The findings were also compared with the approaches in the studies by other authors.

Here are some results. 89% of retirees in Russian cities and 72% in American cities showed concern on the lack of municipal or local intergenerational facility of MSS type.

The young respondents of the study supported the assumption that grandparents and elder people acting as tutors and coaches contribute for intergenerational harmony. In their turn, elder people price highly the possibility to meet at local premises which could have special zones for elderly people, for teenagers, and a common zone.

Most of the respondents in all six cities are satisfied with the place they live now. However, as much as 9% of older people and 18% of young people in Russian cities and 7% and 31% in American cities, respectively, are ready to change their place of residence. The main reasons to change are better climate and (or) greater financial support (pension) for retirees and challenging job opportunities for young people, respectively. None of the respondents claimed the readiness to move primarily due to the strong intergenerational policy at new place, but it was named among the 5–6 possible reasons to move.

On the question about quality of local intergenerational policies the answers differed. In Saint Petersburg 85% of all respondents could not associate any local activities straightly with intergenerational policy. In comparison, in Moscow, many people have heard about “My Social Center” project, and only 16% of respondents answered that they have no notion about such policy. Three of the twelve asked Moscow retirees already visited “My Social Center” clubs and five of nine others plan to do that in the future. In Sochi the intergenerational policies were associated with local cultural events (40%), but 60% of respondents could not specify any. In the cities of the USA, most of retirees heard on intergenerational policies (18 of 22 or 85%) and 8 of 22 (38%) participated in the intergenerational activities via their church organizations. The participation in such activities of the younger people was more modest: 3 of 13 (23%) respondents answered that they regularly participate in local intergenerational activities that are connected with county firefighters club.

Describing the good intergenerational policies that they know well or would prefer to take part in the future the respondents supported valuable data. Some examples from previous experience dominate in the USA, where the respondents named local firefighters and church clubs as a good practices, which are more common in the middle-class suburban areas. In Russian cities, 89% of retirees support the idea of specialized meeting places at their municipal grounds. The facilities of MSS club type would be especially useful to their opinion in the winter period. (In the summer time, the sufficient share of Russian retirees are busy with their country houses and amateur farming in suburban areas). Some of retirees in Russia (15 of total 37 or 43%) named the Moscow “My Social Center” premise functioning since 2020 to be a good example which is worth.

As to the young people they consider school and sports generally fulfilling their intergenerational experience. However the sufficient part of them (15 of 23 in Russia or 65% and 8 of 13 in the USA or 63%) are ready to act as digital device experts for retirees at a social center. The 12 of 23 in Russia (52%) and 6 of 13 (47%) in the US could accept the possible retirees’ role of tutors and sports coaches.

The interpretation refined the hypothesis 1 and 2 (H1, H2) for different groups. 87% of retirees consider their professional experience, sporting achievements, and family building to be sound plots for a long-term communication with the same young people; 13% would prefer to talk with the young primarily on hobbies. Teenagers, on their turn, would mostly prefer to take some help with their studies (55%) and sports (37%) and to know more on history (41%) and local nature problems (37%), and less of them are eager to accept advices on career (27%) and family building (12%).

57 of 60 (95%) of the respondents—retirees—have grandchildren. Those who do not have grandchildren would be eager to serve as tutors at MSS from 3 to 6 h per week. From those who have grandchildren, 21 (42%) could also perform some social duties for teenagers, from 2 to 5 h per week. Among teenager respondents, there were 14 of 35 (41%), whose parents moved from other regions not less than 8–12 years ago. All of those who moved claimed that they have already adapted to the current place while they could appreciate the premise like MSS at the period of their adaption. Thus, we made a conclusion that the hypothesis 3 (H3) should be clarified regarding the capabilities of the sufficient part of retirees who have grandchildren.

Most of respondents supported the thesis that the integrative communication implies, firstly, the mutual desire of different age strata to learn and educate.

“It’s important to be willing to listen…” (18 years), “I understand that my views may be too traditional and seemingly ‘simple’, … they can be discussed, but for this to happen, there must be attention…” (70 years), “…I believe that in the case of any learning, patience is important on the part of the teacher…” (67 years), “…it’s more common to study with peers … but sometimes only elders can help.” (15 years).

The materials on local nature preservation could serve as an instrument for environmental thematic. The study suggested the following environment awareness markers that could be stipulated within MSS activities:

-

knowledge about the local flora and fauna unique spices:

-

knowledge on the local environmental threats;

-

the ways of resolving environmental threats in the past, today, and in future;

-

thematic meetings.

“Issues such as caring for local nature, understanding what threatens it and how to avoid it should be raised within the local community…” (65 years), “…An approach that allows one to move from simple questions about local animal and bird species, cleaning up trash in the forest to professional knowledge about pollution and the fight against it, can be justified in certain conditions…” (67 years), “…if it is possible to care for flowers at MSS club, I will consider this a personal contribution to the environment…” (12 years).

Thus, it is advisable to incorporate environmental aspects into MSS practices via local nature preservation questions (H4). Including the environment awareness markers into intergenerational communications is a natural way to link an MSS with the SEE approach.

4. Discussion: Conceptual MSS-Effects Model and It Development

The previous studies suggested several social [59,69,89] and psychological [68,90,93] instruments of intergenerational engagement, pointed arising problems [100]. Also, there are some country-biased studies. This paper assumes that foundations for intergenerational communications in different cultures would include participation of nowadays retirees in significant events for the country, their professional skills, sporting achievements, hobbies common with those who are young. The significant events imply practices of scientific and innovative production, participation in “extreme” public works, military service, decision-making positions, lifelong professional experience. Local MSS formation command should take into account the peculiarities of the former experience of local pensioners and contemporary values and hobbies of the youth to align and enforce communications between different age strata.

Old and young people could also exchange their student, personal, and family experience, which is easier if they lived in the same country and/or interacted with the similar institutions. Learning about each other experience empowers the lifelong learning concept.

The study suggests the MSS as a policy-relevant social technology. Socioeconomic policies of most developed and developing economies today include SDG and ESG indicators. Long-term national goals in Russia, in particular, pay sufficient attention to environmental and social issues [104,105,106]. MSS introduction and operation is supposed to help to achieve better health, education, culture, and environment awareness indices.

Regional and municipal authorities act as agents of the state policy in their area development programs [Since the 2010s, the practice of long-term planning (e.g., for 10–15 years period ahead) and mid-term planning (3–5 years) for municipal authorities in Russia became obligatory. The municipalities include, in their area, development programs for general issues such as repair and construction of local social housing, roads, improvement of squares, parks, playgrounds and sports grounds, memorial sign construction, and carrying out public events on national holidays. Local strategies are aimed at the improvement of the quality of life of residents. The latter includes health, education, culture, sports and leisure, and also housing, transport infrastructure, and environment care indicators].

Along their long-term and mid-term strategic plans and after corresponding feasibility studies municipalities (local authorities) are supposed to provide organization and (or) construction of MSS premises. According to the test survey, elderly and also young respondents perceive the space of 150–250 m² to be enough for local meetings at an MSS. A sufficient number of municipalities can use premises owned by them or construct such premises using their local budget without exorbitant finance expenses.

In order to attract different age strata the following activities, in particular, could be supported by an MSS:

-

cultural, educational, musical, and art events: could be age-addressed but also unite reference groups of different ages;

-

involvement of retirees in helping children who are lagging behind in their studies (native language, literature, history, other disciplines);

-

involvement of retirees in training and refereeing of youth teams, taking into account the “sports specifics” of a region;

-

environment awareness activities via the representative wall pictures, photo albums, comics, thematic meetings, and so on.

The study suggests the following conceptual MSS-effects model (Figure 1).

• Concept formation (this paper and some other studies [63,81,84].)
• Theoretical adaptation.
• Local authorities and business sponsors’ consideration based on feasibility study for specific MSS premise project.
• Implementation and perfection of MSS project, reasonable choice of indices for achieving the SDG (long and middle term) and environmental or ecological awareness markers (short term) for local communities.
• Monitoring of the influence of MSS introduction on such basic social indices as population health, longevity and life expectancy, fertility level in the mid-term and in the long-term.

The optimal local MSS model takes into account the population preferences and financial capabilities of local state budget and potential sponsors.

The standard of a feasibility study or business plan for the MSS-project, with adaptations tailored to local conditions could be elaborated. Upon completion in every case, such a feasibility study should be published and presented to government agencies, private sponsors, and funding organizations.

The following directions of future studies concerned the topic of this issue are foreseen:

• MSS concept adaptation for national cultures; addressed studies concerning the possibilities of MSS introduction in the rural areas.
• Extensive qualitative studies and surveys ensuring sufficient sample.
• The development of a feasibility study standard for the typical MSS-project.
• The studies which are supposed to analyze the dynamics of social indices due to the MSS introduction and continuous operation in the given region.

5. Conclusions

The main goal of this paper was to suggest the concept of multifunctional social spaces that can serve for socially significant practices, involving retirees into integrative communication. It considers that retirees can be “employed” as active agents into intergenerational knowledge transfer. The basic social vector of an MSS is supposed to produce a synergy effect being united with the educational and environmental impetus of the SEE approach. Thus, the introduction of MSS suggests a way to fill the gap linking social inclusion, lifelong learning, and the SEE as a policy-relevant operational concept.

The case study helped to estimate basic characteristics for several general types of MSS. The suggested classification could be used by local authorities and initiative groups.

A test qualitative study in six cities of the two countries was conducted. The interviews (totally 95) and survey showed the relevance of the main hypotheses of this issue. The questionnaire which finished the study protocol suggested some close-to-modern mass culture instruments for initial visitors’ attraction. The suggested set could be changed according to local narratives and sponsors’ financial capabilities.

The conceptual MSS-effects model was elaborated. It shows the basic algorithm of MSS formation, perfection, future monitoring and analysis. MSS is supposed to help in the achievement of better local health, education, culture, and leisure indices—aspects of social sustainability. Also, the MSS-effects model contains environment awareness markers as an important tribute to the SEE approach.

The realization of its multiple functions in a synergetic way allows us to consider an MSS concept to form the modern approach for high-quality intergenerational premises.