Past Projects

The Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG) has undertaken extensive research to improve the lives of older people in urban environments.

Our previous projects have explored a wide of topics, including age-friendly cities and communities, experiences of ageing in place, ethnic inequalities in later life, and the social exclusion faced by older people in urban settings. We have also focused on urbanisation and ageing in the Global South, coping with loneliness in later life, and assessing the suitability of housing for older people. Through these diverse projects, MUARG has contributed valuable insights and evidence to support healthy ageing and enhance the quality of life for older adults in cities.

Age-Friendly Cities and Communities

Front cover of the 'Beyond Older Age' document

Beyond Older Age: Approaches to Understand the Diverse Lives of Older People

Helped researchers and policymakers make Greater Manchester more age-friendly through innovative participatory methods.
An older lady swimming.

Manchester Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods

Collaborated with residents to assess and enhance the age-friendliness of neighbourhoods in Manchester.
A row of houses in Levenshulme, Manchester

Developing the ‘Village’ Model in Manchester

Supported ageing well within communities by adapting the Village model through participatory approaches.
Old town area in Quebec City, Canada.

Developing Age-Friendly Cities

Explored perceptions of age-friendly developments by policymakers, practitioners, and older people.
People surrounding a table with one lady holding up a bag.

Ambition for Ageing

A £10 million programme to develop Greater Manchester age-friendly communities.
A crowd of anonymous people walking on a busy street.

Cross-National Study of Age-Friendly Cities

Shared local experiences in developing age-friendly environments across various global cities.
An older Chinese lady smiling at the camera, in front of a white background.

Wellbeing of Older People in China and UK

Examined the socio-cultural participation and wellbeing of older people living in China and the UK.

Urban Change, Housing, and the Local Environment

St Peters Square in Manchester City Centre.

Growing Older in Collyhurst

Focused on the Victoria North urban regeneration project in Collyhurst, North Manchester, to design age-friendly social housing.
A family playing on a residential street.

The Experience of ‘Ageing in Place’ Over Time

Explored how older people’s relationships with place evolve over time through longitudinal studies.
Three people looking at a map on a table.

More-Than Older Age: Making Sense of Place

Researched the lived experiences of older people to understand the relationship between place and ageing.
Run-down terraced houses on a street in Leeds with shabby decaying colourful painted walls.

Rightsizing

Investigated the lack of suitable homes for older people and the impact of staying put until a crisis.
Two men sat on a bench in a park, while two other men walk past.

Green Infrastructure and Wellbeing in Later Life

Studied how green infrastructure and public spaces influence health and wellbeing in later life.
China urban cityscape. Guangzhou city, Guangdong province.

Urbanisation and Ageing in the Global South

Researched the wide-ranging impacts of urbanisation on ageing populations in the Global South.
Construction of external wall thermal insulation with rock wool.

Maximising the Benefits of Passivhaus

Provided recommendations for older occupants to adapt to living in Passivhaus dwellings.
An elderly Asian woman with grey hair looking out the window.

Daylighting in Older People’s Housing

Highlighted the importance of daylighting design to improve the lives of people with sight loss.
Hand of an elderly woman with her carer at home

Care Provision Fit for a Future Climate

Examined the suitability of care homes and other facilities for older people in light of future climate conditions.
Scandinavian interior and fireplace.

Conditioning Demand

Investigated thermal experiences in an ageing society and implications for energy consumption.
Houses in Talbot Green, Wales.

EVOLVE Tool

Evaluated how well a building can support older people’s physical and personal wellbeing.

Inequality, Exclusion, and Diversity in Later Life

Woman in face mask sat looking out of a house window

Experiences of Older People During COVID-19

Investigated inequalities and the support provided to older people during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greater Manchester.
A group of older people walking in a park.

Urban Ageing and Social Exclusion

Studied social exclusion and the challenges faced by older people living in urban settings.
An older lady looking through a window.

Coping With Loneliness in Later Life

Studied how marginalisation influences experiences and coping mechanisms for loneliness in later life.
A street with a sign reading 'Manchester Gay Village'.

Older People’s Experience of Manchester’s Gay Village

Collected personal stories to evoke an image of Manchester’s Gay Village and its significance.
Three buses at bus stop in Manchester

IN-CITU

Studied interactions between cognitive impairment and transport in urban environments to improve dementia-friendly initiatives.
Two older ladies having tea.

Eating Experiences in Later Life

Researched meal provisioning practices and their impact on the wellbeing of older people.