AgeingHood's impact creation and knowledge exchange: Building new partnerships
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Architectural Studies
Abstract
This proposal is underpinned by the findings of the AHRC-funded AgeingHood research, entitled "Protecting the livelihood of vulnerable residents in Klong Toey, Bangkok, Thailand" (AHRC reference: AH/T011599/1). AgeingHood was a 12-month research project undertaken in collaboration between University of Sheffield's (UoS) School of Architecture and Department of Architecture, Kasetsart University (KU), Bangkok, Thailand. AgeingHood project ended on 30 June 2021.
AgeingHood explored the intersection between three key domains of human life: ageing, housing and livelihood for the low-income residents of Klong Toey (KT). The aim of the project was to support a low-income people-led initiative as a result of a precarious housing situation they were facing, which was also threatening their welfare, given that most residents in KT, and particularly older people, depended on their housing for their livelihood. In the context of the AgeingHood research, livelihood is a means of subsistence, in which people use their living spaces for a range of home-based enterprises, to support themselves and their families.
Housing and livelihood constitute fundamental human needs; the cumulative effect of the dysfunction of these aspects of human lives have greater consequences for vulnerable groups in low- and middle-income countries. By addressing housing insecurity and livelihood problems of low-income residents of informal settlement of KT, this project responded to structural inequalities entrenched in the KT communities. These structural inequalities often manifest as poor living and poor health conditions, a lack of or dysfunctional public infrastructure and inaccessible green outdoor spaces. AgeingHood espoused a research approach that recognised that housing challenges are often multi-dimensional, involving various stakeholders, with diverse and, often, conflicting interests. Sustainable and equitable solutions were co-created which has been inclusive of all stakeholders, leading to the production and publication of the AgeingHood toolkit.
The solutions proffered by AgeingHood toolkit now need to be further supported in order to achieve real-life positive impacts for these vulnerable communities, and offer opportunities for knowledge exchange.
This follow-on funding project will implement the AgeingHood toolkit, through impact creation, knowledge exchange and capacity building. The AgeingHood toolkit proposes inclusive solutions to address unintended consequences of urban resettlement of low-income older residents in Klong Toey. This includes housing typologies and recommendations for advocacy for low-income people, and alternatives to eviction. Through participatory methods, such as spatial observation, post-occupancy evaluation and co-design workshops, the AgeingHood toolkit created three housing typologies for the people of KT, based on their occupational needs, household size and personal circumstances.
Three distinct activities will be undertaken to achieve the project objectives. This include two focus groups, an international knowledge exchange symposium, and a sandpit workshop. All these activities will take place in Bangkok.
AgeingHood explored the intersection between three key domains of human life: ageing, housing and livelihood for the low-income residents of Klong Toey (KT). The aim of the project was to support a low-income people-led initiative as a result of a precarious housing situation they were facing, which was also threatening their welfare, given that most residents in KT, and particularly older people, depended on their housing for their livelihood. In the context of the AgeingHood research, livelihood is a means of subsistence, in which people use their living spaces for a range of home-based enterprises, to support themselves and their families.
Housing and livelihood constitute fundamental human needs; the cumulative effect of the dysfunction of these aspects of human lives have greater consequences for vulnerable groups in low- and middle-income countries. By addressing housing insecurity and livelihood problems of low-income residents of informal settlement of KT, this project responded to structural inequalities entrenched in the KT communities. These structural inequalities often manifest as poor living and poor health conditions, a lack of or dysfunctional public infrastructure and inaccessible green outdoor spaces. AgeingHood espoused a research approach that recognised that housing challenges are often multi-dimensional, involving various stakeholders, with diverse and, often, conflicting interests. Sustainable and equitable solutions were co-created which has been inclusive of all stakeholders, leading to the production and publication of the AgeingHood toolkit.
The solutions proffered by AgeingHood toolkit now need to be further supported in order to achieve real-life positive impacts for these vulnerable communities, and offer opportunities for knowledge exchange.
This follow-on funding project will implement the AgeingHood toolkit, through impact creation, knowledge exchange and capacity building. The AgeingHood toolkit proposes inclusive solutions to address unintended consequences of urban resettlement of low-income older residents in Klong Toey. This includes housing typologies and recommendations for advocacy for low-income people, and alternatives to eviction. Through participatory methods, such as spatial observation, post-occupancy evaluation and co-design workshops, the AgeingHood toolkit created three housing typologies for the people of KT, based on their occupational needs, household size and personal circumstances.
Three distinct activities will be undertaken to achieve the project objectives. This include two focus groups, an international knowledge exchange symposium, and a sandpit workshop. All these activities will take place in Bangkok.
| Description | AgeingHood Follow-on project findings include: • Stakeholders suggested to co-establish a housing and community development committee of Klong Toey district. • Housing options and toolkits are beneficial for communities which have been assigned land and are currently developing housing designs, such as the Chue Plung Phatthana community, the BonKai community, and the Railway Community. • Some issues needed to be further explored, such as investment on housing options, especially urban high-rise building for older people, housing finance for AgeingHood, and universal design implementation. In terms of design following the co-design workshops, some guidelines were proposed as follows: A. For flat/apartment typology: • Design - Accessibility -Wheelchair access is essential (e.g. front door width and circulation to bathroom). (Accessibility) -Day and night space for older people should provide more privacy and avoid facing the bathroom and toilet. (Accessibility) -To support different requirements, there should be unit types with and without mezzanine. The same unit types can be grouped together to limit the building height and construction cost. (Layout) -Ventilation and daylight are necessary in the mezzanine area. (Layout) • Comfort-Wellness -Separate bathroom and toilet to accommodate multiple residents. • Adaptability - Multifunction -Multifunctional balcony (dry clothes, cooking, gardening). -Furniture must be flexible. • Terminology -Word choice between 'flat' and 'condominium' could influence the livelihood perception of low-income residents. The term 'Condominium' sounds more positive and implies the better quality of housing. • Foresight -How can the design accommodate the possible change of work conditions in the future? B. For house typology: • Safety - Protection and fire -Emergency exit and safety issues should be considered. • Design -Consider the use of the bathroom by clients depending on type of service. (Functional suitability) -Bathrooms should be easy to access and close to day and night space for older people on the ground floor. (Accessibility) -A multiple story house or the one with mezzanine is preferable and cost efficient for urban context. (Size) • Adaptability - Multifunction -Roof top floor is preferred and could be adapted to support multiple uses including space for water tank and cloth drying. • Comfort-Wellness -Views from bedrooms for bedridden people should be considered. |
| Exploitation Route | They will inform policy and practice in relation to low-income live-work housing in Thailand. Housing providers and policymakers attended the symposium and spoke positively about the toolkit. The toolkit was also validated during the co-design workshops leading to a more fitting outcome. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| Description | The project aimed to enhance the impact of the underpinning research, extend its reach through knowledge exchange and dissemination of its findings to non academic audiences, and explore the potential transferability of the toolkit in other cities and countries with similar low income housing and livelihood challenges. Impact creation: We organised 2 focus groups; one with representatives from National Housing Authority (NHA) and Port Authority of Thailand (PAT). The two organisations are involved in housing policy and provision for low-income people. NHA, as a governmental organisation, is involved in devising policy for housing low-income groups in Thailand. The other focus group was with representatives from three local communities in Bangkok, and members of the Klong Toey community, members of the Wattana and Suan-Luang districts. These two events led to the refinement of the AgeingHood toolkit, and also led to a greater understanding on how to implement the AgeingHood toolkit. Knowledge exchange and dissemination: We held an international symposium in Bangkok on 28 November 2022 when we introduced the toolkit and disseminated the findings of the project. We also welcomed new partners to this initiative, namely Habitat for Humanity Thailand and the University of Indonesia. This was also an opportunity to meet all stakeholders who took part in the study and to engage in constructive debate on housing and livelihood in Klong Toey, and the potential impact of the toolkit. Capacity building: We held a sandpit in Bangkok on 29 November 2022 with our local partners and colleagues from the University of Indonesia. We explored future research that builds on the findings of AgeingHood. This provided a framework for the development of two ideas. The first one has led to the development of an AHRC research proposal which will be submitted by the end of March 2023. While the second one is under development for submission later this year. This sandpit provided a unique opportunity to our colleagues from Thailand and Indonesia to engage in joint research proposal development based on the findings of the AgeingHood projects. These efforts combined led to the production of a revised toolkit which has been disseminated to all concerned stakeholders. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Environment |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Bangkok Municipal Authority is currently establishing a committee on Bangkok Housing Development Board and interested to integrate design for older people as one main agenda. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Engagement of practitioners in the provision of affordable housing for low-income people in Bangkok, Thailand |
| Description | Influence on community network |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Influence on education and training |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | A better awareness of the needs of low-income older people in terms of their housing and livelihood, and approaches to live-work housing design. |
| Description | A new partnership has been established between the research team and University of Göttingen, Germany |
| Organisation | University of Göttingen |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Joint Grant Application submitted 15 February 2023. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We have collaborated to prepare and submit a grant application to the AHRC / DFG Funding Scheme: Collaborate with German partners on arts and humanities research: round five. |
| Impact | A grant application to the AHRC / DFG Funding Scheme: Collaborate with German partners on arts and humanities research: round five. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | AHRC research grant proposal |
| Organisation | Kasetsart University |
| Country | Thailand |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This team collaborated in the development of a new research grant titled 'Livelihood manifestations: empowering older people's live-work practices in low-income settlements'. This proposal will be submitted to AHRC by mid-March 2023. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Kasetsart University and the community from Klong Toey via Promjai Development Foundation (PDF). We also have new partners including Habitat for Humanity Thailand and the University of Indonesia. |
| Impact | AHRC research grant proposal |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Participation in committees |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Two research members were invited to participate as committees of the Promjai Development Foundation, a local NGO in KlongToey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Symposium |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An international knowledge exchange symposium was held in Bangkok on 28 November 2022 to disseminate the findings of the underpinning research and develop non-academic networks and strategic partnerships (on housing for low-income groups) and to engage with policymakers and practitioners (governmental and professional organisations and housing providers) working on low income live-work housing options. Representatives from the National Housing Authority and Community Organisations Development Institute spoke at the event. The AgeingHood toolkit was presented at this symposium, which served as an avenue to explore the potential applicability and adaptability of the AgeingHood toolkit in other contexts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Workshop with residents |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A workshop took place with residents from Klong Toey and community reprsentatives to review and validate the AgeingHood toolkit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Workshops with policymakers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | A workshop took place to review and validate the AgeingHood toolkit from the policymakers perspective. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |