Architecture and Urban Planning Towards Challenges of Socio-Demographic Changes and Aging Societies

Abstract submission deadline

10 April 2029

Manuscript submission deadline

10 June 2029

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although life expectancy has increased, this does not necessarily translate into good health. The aging of societies worldwide is fundamentally changing the role of the built environment, affecting the quality of life of individuals and the efficiency of healthcare systems. In light of these demographic changes, access to medical services may become increasingly limited with current solutions, and traditional institutional forms of support for seniors and people with disabilities may prove insufficient. Therefore, the key challenge for designers is to promote health through architecture and urban planning. Novel, innovative solutions based on scientific research, such as evidence-based design and user-centered design, are the answers to these challenges. Designing spaces for seniors requires us to redefine the needs of an aging society and understand the characteristics of 'seniors of the future'. The use of modern technologies, including digital tools and artificial intelligence, provides architects and designers with new opportunities to create environments that promote healthy aging. These technologies aim to increase the safety, comfort, autonomy and independence of users, including those with special needs. The Topic Editors encourage researchers to share interdisciplinary research and perspectives on designing for the 'future selves'.

Prof. Dr. Agata Gawlak
Prof. Dr. Ewa Baum
Prof. Dr. Oleg Kapliński
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Architecture architecture	1.4	2.2	2021	18.9 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Buildings buildings	3.1	4.4	2011	15.1 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Encyclopedia encyclopedia	-	-	2021	26.8 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ijerph	-	8.5	2004	29.5 Days	CHF 2500	Submit
Sci sci	-	5.2	2019	26.7 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	7.7	2009	17.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Urban Science urbansci	2.9	3.7	2017	21.6 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Architecture Buildings IJERPH Sustainability Urban Science Sci Encyclopedia

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28 pages, 4134 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Designing Sustainable Residential Environments for Aging-in-Place: Conceptual Integration and Operationalization Through the EREEM Matrix

by Van-Duc Tran

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 4863; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18104863 - 13 May 2026

Viewed by 244

Abstract

Population aging is driving increasing demand for residential environments that support safety, independence, and well-being for older adults. However, existing design guidelines remain fragmented and lack measurable spatial indicators for architectural evaluation. This study proposes the Elderly Residential Environment Evaluation Matrix (EREEM), an [...] Read more.

Population aging is driving increasing demand for residential environments that support safety, independence, and well-being for older adults. However, existing design guidelines remain fragmented and lack measurable spatial indicators for architectural evaluation. This study proposes the Elderly Residential Environment Evaluation Matrix (EREEM), an integrated framework that translates interdisciplinary design principles into operational spatial indicators across six core dimensions: safety, accessibility, autonomy, privacy, social interaction, and adaptability. An expert survey with 36 specialists evaluated 54 initial indicators (Cronbach’s α = 0.978), which were subsequently screened based on expert-rated importance, conceptual overlap, and field observability, resulting in a 24-indicator operational set for exploratory field assessment in four residential environments in Vietnam. The results indicate that safety and accessibility form foundational conditions, while higher-level principles depend on spatial organization. The study contributes a systematic evaluation tool and provides a practical basis for age-friendly and socially sustainable residential design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Architecture and Urban Planning Towards Challenges of Socio-Demographic Changes and Aging Societies)

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15 pages, 1733 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Complex Interplay of Demographic and Socioeconomic Dynamics in Urban Shrinkage of Latvian Mono-Towns

by Niks Stafeckis and Maris Berzins

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(4), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10040211 - 14 Apr 2026

Viewed by 460

Abstract

Urban shrinkage, driven by demographic and socioeconomic changes, has become a pressing issue across Europe, particularly in small peripheral towns and semi-urban settlements that have historically relied on a single industry or company. This study investigates the demographic and socioeconomic factors contributing to [...] Read more.

Urban shrinkage, driven by demographic and socioeconomic changes, has become a pressing issue across Europe, particularly in small peripheral towns and semi-urban settlements that have historically relied on a single industry or company. This study investigates the demographic and socioeconomic factors contributing to the multi-dimensional decline, encompassing population loss, economic contraction, and deteriorating socioeconomic conditions in Latvian mono-towns, thereby filling a void in empirical research on urban development in post-socialist contexts. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to a set of key demographic and socioeconomic indicators derived from census and administrative data to identify the principal dimensions that drive urban shrinkage. The analysis reveals three principal components explaining 87% of the variance: socioeconomic vitality (57.1%), population change and peripherality (17.2%), and aging society dynamics (12.6%). The results contribute to a nuanced understanding of how mono-functional urban contexts shape the intensity and character of shrinkage. These results establish a basis for specific policy measures designed to promote resilience in small-settlement settings and contribute to the understanding of spatial planning and regional development approaches in the post-socialist urban transition context. This research underscores the need for context-specific approaches to address the multifaceted challenges of urban shrinkage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Architecture and Urban Planning Towards Challenges of Socio-Demographic Changes and Aging Societies)

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