How can we better gather data on the needs, concerns, and joys of older adults?
The Aging in Focus tool empowers older adults to collect and share data to influence and change policies, design, and programming to better support our aging society.
Our goal with Aging in Focus is to showcasing personal experiences; build community; center older adults in the participatory design process; and convey on-the-ground experiences to relevant stakeholders, including those involved in developing affordable housing.
The Tool
The Aging In Focus tool’s consists of:
- multiple customizable, interactive workshops and an exhibition to collect, co-curate, and showcase older adults’ stories and lived experiences via photography and storytelling across multiple channels;
- a methodology to convert this information into “thick” or qualitative data that complements existing “big” or quantitative data; and
- an ever-growing, publicly available online repository of visual, audio, and categorized data on how older adults experience their built and community environments.
The Guides
The Process
Call to Action
We are looking to scale the Aging in Focus tool’s reach and impact. We welcome feedback from and collaboration with potential partners and funders who serve older adults, including:
- Public agencies and policymakers
- Designers and developers
- Building management
- Program designers and providers
- Technology developers
- Philanthropic and corporate funders
If you are interested in working with us, please contact us at aginginfocusproject@gmail.com and/or follow us on Instagram at @aginginfocusproject.
Share Your StoryMeet the Project Team
Cesar Delgado Rodríguez
NYC Department of City Planning
Cesar believes design is an opportunity to mend landscapes and settlements through spaces and policy that empower those in disadvantage. He currently focuses on increasing the amount of affordable housing and achieving greater access to waterfronts. He is a senior urban designer at NYC Department of City Planning and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University. Cesar holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Tecnologico de Monterrey and a MSc in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University.
Stanley Delva
Brooklyn Arts Council
Stanley is an artist and arts administrator who believes deeply in building equitable communities and supporting resource gathering to strengthen underserved communities. A Brooklyn bred native New Yorker, Stanley is passionate about supporting diverse communities through his freelance fundraising work and has worked directly with organizations like Brooklyn Arts Council.
Meg Kalinowski
Pratt Institute, School of Architecture
Meg Kalinowski is a New York City-based architect and educator with 15 years of experience in research, strategy and design implementation across diverse stakeholders locally and internationally. Meg specializes in architecture, urban design, adaptive re-use, and is always striving to provide innovative and sustainable solutions through collaborative community visioning.
Charles Li Markham
DOROT
As a Program Manager at DOROT, a social service organization for older adults, Charles Markham develops and implements wellness programs to alleviate social isolation and deepen opportunities for enhanced equity and inclusion. He fosters strategic community partnerships, promoting lifelong learning, community building, and culturally relevant, competent program engagement.
Rashmi Pendse
Strategy, Innovation & Community Impact Specialist
Rashmi Pendse designs, finances, and manages sustainable and inclusive initiatives. She has recently focused on place-based philanthropy and impact investing at Fortune 500 companies, and previously advanced economic and community development in the U.S. and abroad. Rashmi studied at Johns Hopkins SAIS and Yale University.
Haikun Xu
Marvel
Haikun Xu is a landscape architectural, UX/UI, and floral art designer passionate about transforming design challenges into meaningful opportunities. At Marvel and Sea x Earth, she uncovers each site’s unique character to shape resilient, biodiverse, and inclusive public spaces. Her work blends ecological sensitivity, emerging technology, and ethical design to support both living environments and nature.