AgeingHood's impact creation and knowledge exchange: Building new partnerships

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This proposal is underpinned by the findings of the AHRC-funded AgeingHood research, entitled "Protecting the livelihood of vulnerable residents in Klong Toey, Bangkok, Thailand" (AHRC reference: AH/T011599/1). AgeingHood was a 12-month research project undertaken in collaboration between University of Sheffield's (UoS) School of Architecture and Department of Architecture, Kasetsart University (KU), Bangkok, Thailand. AgeingHood project ended on 30 June 2021. AgeingHood explored the intersection between three key domains of human life: ageing, housing and livelihood for the low-income residents of Klong Toey (KT). The aim of the project was to support a low-income people-led initiative as a result of a precarious housing situation they were facing, which was also threatening their welfare, given that most residents in KT, and particularly older people, depended on their housing for their livelihood. In the context of the AgeingHood research, livelihood is a means of subsistence, in which people use their living spaces for a range of home-based enterprises, to support themselves and their families. Housing and livelihood constitute fundamental human needs; the cumulative effect of the dysfunction of these aspects of human lives have greater consequences for vulnerable groups in low- and middle-income countries. By addressing housing insecurity and livelihood problems of low-income residents of informal settlement of KT, this project responded to structural inequalities entrenched in the KT communities. These structural inequalities often manifest as poor living and poor health conditions, a lack of or dysfunctional public infrastructure and inaccessible green outdoor spaces. AgeingHood espoused a research approach that recognised that housing challenges are often multi-dimensional, involving various stakeholders, with diverse and, often, conflicting interests. Sustainable and equitable solutions were co-created which has been inclusive of all stakeholders, leading to the production and publication of the AgeingHood toolkit. The solutions proffered by AgeingHood toolkit now need to be further supported in order to achieve real-life positive impacts for these vulnerable communities, and offer opportunities for knowledge exchange.This follow-on funding project will implement the AgeingHood toolkit, through impact creation, knowledge exchange and capacity building. The AgeingHood toolkit proposes inclusive solutions to address unintended consequences of urban resettlement of low-income older residents in Klong Toey. This includes housing typologies and recommendations for advocacy for low-income people, and alternatives to eviction. Through participatory methods, such as spatial observation, post-occupancy evaluation and co-design workshops, the AgeingHood toolkit created three housing typologies for the people of KT, based on their occupational needs, household size and personal circumstances.Three distinct activities will be undertaken to achieve the project objectives. This include two focus groups, an international knowledge exchange symposium, and a sandpit workshop. All these activities will take place in Bangkok.