OCAD University Open Research Repository

Exploration of a culturally appropriate design for a Retirement Community for Muslims of South Asian origin

Naqvi, Masooma (2023) Exploration of a culturally appropriate design for a Retirement Community for Muslims of South Asian origin. [MRP]

Item Type: MRP
Creators: Naqvi, Masooma
Abstract:

This research is an exploration of suitable environmental design elements for a retirement community for seniors of South Asian origin. Most geriatric, social and health sciences literature discusses the services needed and the problems of loneliness and social isolation faced by older adult immigrants. Currently, the existing models of living arrangements available for seniors in Canada are very generic and lack cultural accommodation. This research was the result of personal experiences with my parents’ situation as they arrived in Canada in the post-retirement stage of life. My family searched for suitable residential options and found a lack of them and scarcity of appropriate solutions for Muslim seniors of South Asian origin. Through my literature review I found four major problems faced by South Asian seniors which were: Loneliness and isolation, loss of independence and autonomy, lack of transportation, and lack of options to maintain health and wellness especially in the winter. The South Asian community is a very large and diverse community, although there are many features common between them all, I had to narrow down the scope of my research to discuss the problems faced by Muslim seniors of the community due to the restrictions of time and resources. I used three methods: a case study, discussion with a focus group, and interviews/meetings with other consultants/experts/stakeholders and family members. I found that as architectural design has become globalized in the past few decades, there are certain nuances that make spaces culturally suitable for the seniors. Seniors of ethnic populations are the most powerless, least influential, and the most forgotten segment. There is a lack of environmental design research on the needs of South Asian seniors in North America and this paper lays the groundwork to build on future research.

Date: 8 May 2023
Divisions: Graduate Studies > Inclusive Design
Date Deposited: 09 May 2023 13:27
Last Modified: 09 May 2023 13:27
URI: https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/4131

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