Social Technologies for Global Aging (2020-2026)

The Social Technology for Global Aging project aims to connect rapid growth in both the population of older people and technologies. Led by Drs. Arthur Kleinman and Fawaaz Habbal, this interdisciplinary project spans multiple Harvard schools as well as universities in China. The HPDL team led by Prof Ann Forsyth and Dr. Yingying Lyu is conducting research in three main areas:

  1. Aging-in-Place in China–a multi-method examination of aging, building on earlier work with an existing survey conducted by the Harvard China Project in Chengdu.
  2. Urban social technologies–examining the potential for technologies to help people as they age at the scales of the neighborhood and city.
  3. Age-Friendly Communities and Aging in Place–examining the global experience and potential in China.

Related Publications

2024     A. Forsyth and Y. Lyu. Making Communities Age-Friendly: Lessons from Implemented Programs. Journal of Planning Literature 39, 1: 3-24.

2024     Y. Lyu and A. Forsyth. Technological Devices to Help Older People Beyond the Home: An Inventory and Assessment Focusing on the Neighborhood and City Scales. Cities and Health 8, 1: 91-106.

2023       A. Forsyth. Creating Healthy Neighborhoods: Reflecting on Places, Processes, and Prospects. Landscape Architecture Journal (China) 30: 15-19.

2022       Y. Lyu and A. Forsyth. Planning, Aging, and Loneliness: Reviewing Evidence about Built Environment Effects. Journal of Planning Literature 37, 1: 28-48.

2021       Y. Lyu and A. Forsyth. Attitudes, Perceptions, and Walking Behavior in a Chinese City. Journal of Transport and Health 21, 101047.

2021       Y. Lyu, A. Forsyth, and S. Worthington. Built Environment and Self-rated Health: Comparing Young, Middle-aged, and Older People in Chengdu, China. HERD: Health Environments Research and Design 14, 3: 229-246.

2021    A. Kleinman., H. Chen., S.E. Levkoff., A. Forsyth, D.E. Bloom, W. Yip, T. Khanna, C.J. Walsh , et al. Social Technology: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Improving Care for Older Adults. Frontiers Public Health, 9.