The College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has established the Centre for Environment and Ageing Well (ENgAGE) to take a leading role in improving living environments that promote the physical, mental and social well-being of people of all ages, particularly in response to the challenges posed by demographic change and climate change.
ENgAGE will support Singapore’s ongoing efforts to find innovative ways to support older people as the country prepares for an increasingly ageing population. By 2030, about one in four Singaporeans is expected to be over 65, and about 83,000 older people will live alone and about 100,000 older people will have mild disabilities. Therefore, it is crucial to create inclusive living spaces that meet the diverse needs, preferences and desires of older people.
The Centre will leverage extensive research capabilities in urban planning, architecture, social sciences, medicine and engineering to coordinate and consolidate place-based, age-related research, education and resources locally and internationally.
ENgAGE was officially launched today by Ms. Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and Second Minister for Finance and National Development. The launch event also included a keynote address by Dr. Hiromasa Okayasu, Director of the Division of Healthy Environment and Population at the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, and a panel discussion on the built environment and ageing in Asia.
The launch of ENgAGE is a critical step in our commitment to improving quality of life and wellbeing for all. By deepening our understanding of how ageing impacts communities across Asia, ENgAGE will lead the way in creating environments that promote health, independence and dignity at all stages of life. The centre’s core team from the Department of Architecture is already actively collaborating with researchers from various departments at NUS, as well as external partners, to bring together the diverse perspectives needed to address these complex issues.”
Professor Heng Chye Kiang, Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) of NUS CDE
Creating inclusive living spaces
To achieve its goal of creating sustainable and inclusive living environments in Singapore, ENgAGE will focus on four key areas:
- Research: We want to be a leading research centre focusing on the links between ageing and the built environment, conducting extensive studies and formulating practical solutions.
- Training: Coordinating specialized courses and modules focusing on age-related topics to enable students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges of ageing.
- Global cooperation: Leveraging global expertise and perspectives to enrich ENgAGE’s research and education initiatives through partnerships and collaborations with international institutions.
- Community Resources: Create an information resource centre to provide professionals and the public with easy access to research results, expertise and resources.
ENgAGE’s research activities are based on three pillars:
- Aging in place in Asia: Understanding the cultural, social and environmental factors that influence older people’s desire and ability to age in place in an Asian context.
- Design for brain health: Investigate how environmental design affects cognitive health and explore innovative design strategies to promote brain health in ageing populations.
- Climate change and ageing in Asia: Addressing the impacts of climate change on ageing populations, particularly in Asia, and developing resilient and sustainable living environments.
Details of the research projects in which ENgAGE researchers will be involved can be found in the appendix.
Designing living spaces together with the community
ENgAGE recognizes that addressing the complex challenges of aging requires cross-sector collaboration. Strategic partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and community members are essential to translate research findings into actionable solutions. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, ENgAGE fosters innovation, informs policy, and advances high-impact community programs that improve the well-being of older people.
Most importantly, the voices of communities are included in ENgAGE’s approach. By involving older people, their families and carers directly in the research process, the Centre ensures that its work reflects the real needs and experiences of the people it serves. This not only strengthens the relevance of research findings, but also empowers communities to adopt and sustain the solutions developed, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient society.
“Being part of the co-design process for the Tentacles projects has been an extremely valuable and meaningful experience,” shared Ms Tan Chia Chia, a long-term Queenstown resident who is currently participating in one of ENgAGE’s research projects with her mother. “The value lies in knowing that our local voices matter, are heard and are being responded to by the relevant authorities. As a community, both top-down and bottom-up action is needed to work together to create a nurturing and supportive environment where we can live happily with our loved ones.”
The Tentacles project aims to improve pedestrian connections between Alexandra Hospital, Queenstown Metro Station and the Mei Ling/Stirling precinct, enabling age-appropriate living whilst improving the overall wellbeing of Mei Ling/Stirling residents. Please see the appendix for further details.
“The complex societal challenges we face today cannot be solved by a single discipline. At the Centre for Environment and Ageing Well, we recognise older people as a valuable member of our community and believe that including their voices will be critical to improving the daily lives of not only the ageing population, but all generations,” said Associate Professor Emi Kiyota, Director of the Centre for Environment and Ageing Well at NUS CDE. Associate Prof Kiyota is based in both the Department of Architecture at NUS CDE and the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
“ENgAGE is committed to a collective approach to co-creating a future where ageing is celebrated and the potential for meaningful growth across the life course is embraced by all. We are delighted that members of our community are joining us today for our opening ceremony,” added Assoc Prof Kiyota.
Changing our environment to support healthy, long lives
The establishment of ENgAGE was made possible by a generous donation of S$5 million from Mrs Lee Li-ming, wife of the late Associate Professor Lee Kip Lin, an architect and professor at NUS who devoted many years to documenting Singapore’s architectural heritage.
“Many older people in Singapore continue to face significant daily challenges despite support efforts. We must address issues such as limited resources, inadequate accessibility and extreme temperatures, which pose significant barriers. To do this, we must listen to their voices and incorporate their experiences into the design of their living environments. Through ENgAGE, I have the privilege of making a positive impact on the lives of my fellow Singaporeans and working to ensure that the voices of older citizens are heard for meaningful change,” said Ms Lee Li-ming.
This is the latest donation from Ms Lee, who has also supported the establishment of the Lee Kip Lin Scholarship, which provides financial support to NUS students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, and the Lee Li-ming Scholarship in Ecological Design, which supports students from ASEAN countries pursuing a Masters in Landscape Architecture at NUS.
Source:
National University of Singapore
