The promise of co-design for improving transit service for older immigrants: Development of a co-design framework for Hamilton, Ontario

Abstract

Although co-design is extensively used in education, organizational, and healthcare design, it has rarely been used in public transportation decision-making. Typically, transport service users’ involvement is practiced in the form of public hearings or consultations rather than their direct involvement in the design process. Based on the review of relevant literature on co-design and transportation of immigrants and older adults, this study discusses the promise of co-design for transit service improvement in a developed country context. The study developed a co-design framework to be applied to create a plan for improving transit services for older immigrants in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The framework suggests conducting co-design studies by independent investigators instead of service providers to reduce possible biases in the methodology design and decision-making process. Co-design guidelines and principles were developed to address the needs of older immigrants, with the framework addressing their lived experiences, enhancing public engagement, and developing compassionate partnerships among stakeholders. The entire process will allow transit service providers and other community partners to engage with, get insights from, and learn about the impact of their services on older immigrants’ mobility needs. This final output includes a transit service improvement plan, through which the transit service provider can deliver and implement feasible and functional solutions that meet older immigrants’ expectations and improve their transit use experiences.