Intergenerational Public Space Design and Policy: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Significant scholarship has focused on accommodating diverse age groups in urban public environments. However, intergenerational approaches emphasizing engagement between generations represent an emerging area of research and practice. This review synthesizes literature from urban planning and cognate fields on the need for and benefits of intergenerational public space, as well as design and policy interventions. The results advance understanding of how public environments could meet the needs of both youth and older adults while also serving as the context for cross-generational interaction, and offer insights to planners, designers, and policymakers seeking to develop, enhance, or expand intergenerational public space.