Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Turkey
Approval Date: 2006
Thesis Language: English
Student: İrem Erbaş
Supervisor: VACİT İMAMOĞLU
Abstract:Ageing has become a significant research area in the last few decades. The most important reason that makes ageing issue significant is the increasing rate of the older indviduals within the population all around the world. Statistical data on ageing both in Turkey and in the world reveals that, in the near future, the number of population over 65 will increase dramatically. It can be asserted that there will be an urgent need of specifically designed accommodation for this portion of the population. Hence, this thesis intends to search for and practice a design solution for the elderly housing. One of the instruments that supported the formulation of such a solution is the subject of ‘universal design’. Within the scope of this study, the principles of universal design and its relationship with ageing are defined, examined and evaluated. It is accepted that living environment has effect on the enhancement of the individual’s quality of life. For this reason, the relationship between person and environment is briefly discussed in congruence with principles of universal design and provision of quality of life. Accessibility, safety, privacy, autonomy and independence are the common concerns of universal design and provision of a higher quality of life. With review of the definitions of specific elderly housing types, another approach for this study is to make a case study of the existing architectural solutions for the elderly housing. This helped to understand architectural approaches to the relationship between ageing and environment in the world. In the light of the findings, an architectural project, presenting a habitable environment for the elderly, is proposed. For the project, the concept of “assisted living” as a new category for elderly housing, is chosen.