Ageing Opportunities

Ajka, Hungary

2015

What was the challenge

By 2060, 30% of the European population will be over 65. Today, there are four working-age people for every older person; by 2060, this ratio will drop to two. In Budapest, one in four citizens is already over 60, and the ratio of seniors to children and those of working age has tripled since 1930 (60+ Design Report, Holis 2015).

Recognizing the implications of these trends, we organised the 2015 Holis School in Ajka, Hungary in collaboration with Design Terminal. The program focused on the challenges and opportunities inherent in ageing, with the goal of developing long-term solutions to enable senior citizens to remain socially and economically active. With the support of international experts and team facilitators, the initiative used participatory design strategies to empower seniors and foster intergenerational collaboration.

What are the
results

The 2015 Holis School brought together 24 university students and recent graduates across Europe for a week-long program centered around inclusive, contextualized design. Participants investigated topics including employment, mobility, living conditions, use of design, social amenities, and public services.

Focusing on Hungary's Ajka and Herend areas, the program collaborated with the local administration, nonprofit organizations, and creative industry businesses, including the Herend Porcelain Factory and Ajka Crystal. This context-based approach addressed both location-specific challenges and broader implications of ageing.

Under the guidance of expert team leaders, the participants at the 2015 Holis School worked closely with seniors from the community to co-create high-quality, well-researched proposals for solutions. Their active involvement in the participatory design approach ensured that seniors played an active role in the process, enhancing the relevance and usability of the final solutions.

Downloads

Holis 2015 - 60+ Design.pdf