Abstract
With Egypt’s rapid urbanization and projected demographic shift, where individuals aged 60 and above are expected to constitute more than 15% of the population by 2050, addressing the needs of older adults in urban design has become increasingly urgent. Despite global recognition of the importance of age-friendly design, its integration into Egyptian architectural education remains limited, particularly concerning accessibility, safety, and inclusivity.
This study evaluates the level of awareness of Age-Friendly Design (AFD) principles among architecture students at Ain Shams University using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through an online questionnaire assessing students’ familiarity with the concept, while qualitative insights were obtained from interviews with faculty members. Additionally, an experimental workshop was held at the Smart and Future Cities Laboratories for Sustainable Urban Solutions (SFCL) to assess students’ awareness and explore the effectiveness of applying age-friendly design principles within a simulated urban context.
The findings reveal a substantial awareness gap, as most students reported minimal exposure to AFD concepts compared to other aspects of sustainability and inclusivity within their curriculum. Crucially, the practical workshop demonstrated that experiential, activity-based learning can effectively enhance students’ understanding and engagement with AFD principles, significantly improving their ability to generate inclusive solutions.
The study concludes by recommending the formal incorporation of AFD concepts into architectural curricula through structured coursework and hands-on workshops. This integration is essential for equipping future architects with the necessary competencies to design inclusive environments that effectively respond to the needs of Egypt’s aging population and ultimately linking architectural education to national accreditation standards and global sustainable development goals regarding inclusive urbanism.
Keywords
Age-friendly design (AFD), Architectural education, Awareness assessment, Egypt
Recommended Citation
Kabel, Shorouk Saleh Ali; Elkhateb, Samah Mohamed Elsayed Atteia; Rashed, Rowaida M. O. Mohamed; and El-bardisy, Wesam M.
(2026)
"Assessing the Student Awareness to Age Friendly Design: The Case of Ain Shams University- Architecture Students,"
HBRC Journal: Vol. 22:
Iss.
1, Article 28.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65800/2090-9934.1027
Available at:
https://journal.hbrc.edu.eg/journal/vol22/iss1/28