Participatory Methods to Support Climate Adaptation for Older Adults Living in Vulnerable Urban Areas

An Ethnographic Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15480543
AuthorsJoel Silva (0000-0002-7966-0276, Universidade do Porto), Bibiana Tini (Universidade do Porto), Ana Rafaela Luz de Aquino Martins (0000-0001-7188-4964, Universidade do Porto), Ana Carolina Martins (0000-0001-7581-4074, Universidade do Porto), Inês Mimoso (0000-0003-3573-7232, Universidade do Porto), Teodora Figueiredo (0009-0009-0183-000X, Universidade do Porto), Ana Silva Fernandes (0000-0003-1481-9060, Universidade do Porto), Franklin Gabriel Menezes Gaspar (0009-0009-1013-3767, Universidade do Porto), Gisela Lameira (0000-0001-7404-7168, Universidade do Porto), Luís Midão (0000-0003-1981-2554, Universidade do Porto), Leovaldo Alcântara (0000-0002-6362-6786, Universidade do Porto), Md Imtiaz Ahmad (0009-0007-6927-1000, Universidade do Porto), Luisa Batista (0000-0002-9531-6723, Universidade do Porto), Pedro Rocha (0000-0003-3337-1222, Universidade do Porto), Rui Jorge Garcia Ramos (0000-0001-8234-5974, Universidade do Porto), Sara Santos Cruz (0000-0002-1518-9446, Universidade do Porto), Sara Cruz (0000-0002-9918-9290, Universidade do Porto), Cecilia Rocha (0000-0002-4044-9780, Universidade do Porto), Helena Corvacho (0000-0002-0398-3423, Universidade do Porto), Anabela Ribeiro (0000-0002-4716-979X, University of Coimbra), Pedro Conceição (0000-0003-1692-8340, Universidade do Porto), Fernando Brandão Alves (0000-0001-5993-528X, Universidade do Porto), Elı́sio Costa (0000-0003-1158-1480, Universidade do Porto, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume22
Issue6
Pages850-850
Publication date2025-05-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph22060850
PMID40566277
OpenAlexW4410859706
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited34

Urban environments and climate-related challenges impact older adults' health and well-being. To address these challenges, climate adaptation strategies and urban design guidelines should be tailored to older adults' needs. Ethnographic studies can help identify these needs by involving them directly in the research process. This study uses ethnographic research to explore older adults' perceptions and behaviours regarding climate change risks and impacts, health, and mobility challenges in a vulnerable urban area-São Roque da Lameira, Porto, Portugal. It studies the applicability and complementarity of four participatory methods that can inform urban design: (I) semi-structured interviews, (II) 'go-along' interviews, (III) user observations, and (IV) emotional mapping. The qualitative data collected were analysed through thematic and spatial analysis. Common themes emerged between the four methods, including concerns about accessibility, safety, and comfort, such as uneven pavements, lack of seating, and poor infrastructure for people with reduced mobility. Participants recommended improvements, such as more green spaces and better pedestrian infrastructure quality. Notably, each method uncovered distinct dimensions, highlighting the added value of a multi-method approach. This study demonstrates that combining participatory methods offers deeper, context-specific insights to inform age-friendly and climate-resilient urban design. Future research should take climate-focused methods and a multidisciplinary approach into consideration

Adaptation (eye · Citizen journalism · Ethnography · Geography · Participatory action research · Political science · Sociology · Anthropology · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Urban Green Space and Health · Gerontology

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