Benches for older adults? Territories, Ageing & Citizenship Practices – CITIZENBENCH

Assuming the reciprocal Global South/North relation trough an international comparison, the project is based on four diversified case studies of metropols, two of them being involved in an AFCC model (Manchester, Grenoble), two of the being not involved (Dakar, Chambéry). The originality of this research project concerns not only the exploration of a little-known area in social sciences through discipline crossings (sociology, geography, urban planning, and health sciences). It also refers to a large empirically structured “participatory research” mixing qualitative (« Gulliver maps »; « commented walking interviews »; qualitative interviews) and quantitative methodologies (systematic geolocalisation of public benches; harvest and treatment of mobile gait data through GPS).

Analyzing these combined materials offer us: 1) a better understanding of governance (or absence of) of public space by a diversity of players, at a diversity of levels (from the globalized Word Health Organization through its AFCC methodology, to local and neighborhood stakeholders) (H1 :political economy of public benches) ; 2) a better understanding of the social construction of power relations, inequalities and social justice in public space, taking i.e. the effects of gender, generation and cultures (H2 : practices and appropriations of public benches). Results also concern our methods and their interaction as a tool to better grasp the spatial aspect of ageing.

Our two research perspectives join together for improving our knowledge of experimenting ageing through public space in a time of globalized age-friendly governance. They might even serve to support further public policies in these areas.

Conferences and scientific papers in french and english

he challenge of sustainable cities in innovative, integrative and adaptive societies is nowadays driven by reflections and policies promoting users/inhabitants-friendly environments. Among these users, "older people" are increasingly recognized in international discourses and their potential voice is meant to contribute to the participatory governance of “age-friendly cities and communities” (AFCC).

The Citizenbench project suggests focusing on the place of older people in the City through an interest for “public benches”. Indeed, those benches can be considered as flagships for presenting local forms of governance that might be organized through perspectives such as AFCC. However, benches are also a support to assess the conditions for older people to going out, walking and being part of public space as full citizens. Assuming the reciprocal Global South/North relation trough an international comparison, the project is based on four diversified case studies of metropolis, two of them being involved in an AFCC model (Manchester, Grenoble), two of the being not involved (Dakar, Chambéry).

The originality of this research project concerns not only the exploration of a little known area in social sciences through discipline crossings (sociology, geography, urban planning, and health sciences). It also refers to a large empirically structured “participatory research” mixing qualitative (« Gulliver maps »; « commented walkings »; 80/100 qualitative interviews) and quantitative methodologies (harvest and treatment of geolocalised data; harvest and treatment of mobile gait data through GPS). The analysis of these combined materials will offer us: 1) a better understanding of governance (or absence of) of public space by a diversity of players, at a diversity of levels (from the globalised Word Health Organization through its AFCC methodology, to local and neighboorhood stakeholders) (H1 :political economy of public benches) ; 2) a better understanding of the social construction of power relations, inequalities and social justice in public space, taking i.e. the effects of gender, generation and cultures (H2 : practices and appropriations of public benches). These two perspectives join together for improving our knowledge of experimenting ageing through public space in a time of globalised age-friendly governance.