Finnish architect calls for benches as cities prepare for ageing

Finnish cities need to prepare for a rapidly ageing population by making their centres more accessible, including with more suitable benches, architect and doctor of technology Anne Stenros has told Yle.

By 2050, people aged over 65 are expected to make up 30 per cent of Finland’s population. Stenros says the country has little time left to prepare for the changes this will bring to society, working life and urban environments.

Finland is ageing faster than any other country in Europe and is moving at a similar pace to only Italy and Japan, according to Stenros. An estimated 250,000 additional people aged over 80 will be living in Finland by 2045.

Cities need more places to rest

Stenros says ageing has received too little attention in urban planning. She compares the focus on bicycle routes with the lack of discussion about benches, even though only 10 per cent of Helsinki residents use bicycles.

People who cannot cycle or walk long distances may still want to take part in city life, she says. Cities should therefore have enough resting places to give everyone the confidence to go out and move around.

Benches must also be designed so that people can sit down and stand up easily without having to ask passers-by for help. Stenros points to benches in Hämeenlinna’s Linnanpuisto park that resemble low lounge chairs and are difficult for people with limited mobility to leave.

Lessons from Vienna and Japan

Stenros cites Vienna, which has been called a “city for women”. In the 1990s, the city asked residents to identify places they found difficult or frightening. Women described problems in the urban environment and suggested solutions, which the city implemented. Stenros says the changes worked better for everyone.

The gender perspective is significant because more than half of people aged 70 and 80 per cent of those aged over 100 are women, she says. In the future, large numbers of women aged between 70 and 100 will be visible in cities.

Stenros also highlights the importance of “third places” beyond the home and workplace. These open, democratic spaces can include bars, cafés, libraries and hair salons. They are particularly useful for older people, who often use them during the day, while younger people can use them in the evening.

Older people are also an economically important group. Women over 55 are among the largest groups of consumers and support cultural services such as theatres. Stenros says they also buy for their partners, children and parents.

She refers to Japan’s experienced male workers who are given places by the window and can be consulted by younger colleagues. In multigenerational workplaces, she says, younger employees contribute technological skills and ideas, while experienced workers offer a broader perspective and stronger conflict-resolution skills.

Stenros calls for a “silver transition” comparable to the green transition: a strategy for steadily moving an ageing Finland forward in its cities. She says culturally sustainable urban environments should be designed for all the senses, including sound, smells, materials and silence.

If she could change one thing with a magic wand, Stenros says she would open doors to people over 65 and ensure they are seen as individuals with valuable knowledge and abilities.