In 2022-2023, KU Leuven’s dissertation studio focused on the “Regenerative Future of the City of Ghent” and the “Healthy Future of Gent” within sustainability, particularly prioritizing elderly health in green “active-aging” neighborhoods due to climate change. Urgent action is needed to protect older adults’ well-being amidst unprecedented environmental challenges, especially in the face of climate scenarios for 2050 in Gent. The dissertation proposed innovative, climate-adaptive strategies across four scales, collaborating with local organizations and healthcare systems. Plans for Muidebrug and Makelaarspark emphasize creating socially active, climate-neutral residential areas and promoting active participation through green spaces, such as the “Senior Day Center,” to mitigate negative impacts on elderly health and promote healing through green spaces for a thriving future.

In recent years, there’s been heightened awareness of the intersection between human health and climate change. The thesis “Resilient Aging” aims to address this by developing urban and architectural solutions to protect vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. Belgium faces risks like floods, droughts, and heatwaves, which pose significant threats to the elderly population. Gent’s “Climate Action Plan for 2050” serves as a blueprint for combating these challenges with green strategies. The project spans four scales, starting with the “Healthy Village of 2050” in Oude Dokken, addressing locals’ specific needs. Strategies in Muidebrug focus on enhancing active-aging societies, while Makelaarspark proposes the “Climate Adaptive Senior Center” to create a safe, active environment for the elderly. These initiatives aim to promote intergenerational interactions and alleviate heat stress. Resilient aging encompasses urban planning, building design, and societal integration, prioritizing age and health considerations for a sustainable future.