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.

An older Chinese lady smiling at the camera, in front of a white background.

Wellbeing of older people in China and UK

Examining the socio-cultural participation and wellbeing of older people in China and the UK.
China urban cityscape. Guangzhou city, Guangdong province.

Urbanisation and ageing in the Global South

Researching the impacts of urbanisation on an ageing population in the Global South.
A group of older people walking in a park.

Urban ageing and social exclusion

Researching social exclusion and problems facing older people living in urban settings.
An older lady swimming.

Manchester age-friendly neighbourhoods

Working with residents regarding how age-friendly their neighbourhood is and how to make it better.
An older lady looking through a window.

Coping with loneliness in later life

Studying how marginalisation influence experiences and coping with loneliness in later life.
Two older ladies having tea.

Eating experiences in later life

Researching the meal provisioning practices of older people.
St Peters Square in Manchester City Centre.

Growing older in Collyhurst

Focusing on the Victoria North urban regeneration project in Collyhurst, North Manchester.
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.
Real-estate concept, an engineer and architect discussing blueprints.

The Northern Gateway Urban Regeneration project

The Northern Gateway project represents a major contribution to the city’s strategy for residential growth.
A row of houses in Levenshulme, Manchester

Developing the 'village' model in Manchester

Research with a particular focus on supporting people to age well within their communities.
A family playing on a residential street.

The experience of 'ageing in place' over time

Exploring how older people’s relationships to place change over time.
Three people looking at a map on a table.

More-than older age: Making sense of place

Find out more about researcher Amy Barron's work.
A street with a sign reading 'Manchester Gay Village'.

Older people's experience of Manchester's Gay Village

Seeking personal stories to evoke an image of Manchester's Gay Village.
Old town area in Quebec City, Canada.

Developing age-friendly cities

Exploring how age-friendly developments are perceived by policymakers, practitioners, and older people.
Two men sat on a bench in a park, while two other men walk past.

Green infrastructure and wellbeing in later life

Researching how green infrastructure and green public space can influence health and wellbeing.
A crowd of anonymous people walking on a busy street.

A cross-national study of age-friendly cities

Communities share their local experience in developing age-friendly physical and social environments.
Run-down terraced houses on a street in Leeds with shabby decaying colourful painted walls.

Rightsizing

Lack of suitable homes sees older people staying put until a crisis forces them to move.
Hand of an elderly woman with her carer at home

Care provision fit for a future climate

How far are care homes and other care provision facilities fit for a future climate?
Construction of external wall thermal insulation with rock wool.

Maximising the benefits of Passivhaus

Providing recommendations on how to enable 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

This guide highlights the power of design for daylighting to improve the lives of people with sight loss.
Scandinavian interior and fireplace.

Conditioning demand

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

EVOLVE tool

Assessing how well a building supports older persons physical and personal wellbeing.