About the project
Imagine if...We didn’t experience limited mobility as we grew older
Video illustrating future mobility for an aging population.
Samarbetspartners
In this project, we explore how our actions and future innovations can impact mobility and quality of life for Lidingö's aging population by 2035.
The project is funded by Vinnova through the announcement "Shaping Future Sustainable Solutions in the Mobility or Food System" and is the first at Lidingö municipality to apply foresight and speculative design methods.
What if... it’s the year 2035, and all citizens can move freely in society, regardless of physical or cognitive ability. How would this impact quality of life? How would it foster community and combat involuntary loneliness?"
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The population of individuals aged 80 and older in Lidingö is expected to increase by 26% by 2030, resulting in a 19% rise in demand for elderly care facilities. The cost of a place in such facilities nearing one million SEK per person annually poses a significant financial strain on society. Lidingö, which has one of Sweden’s oldest populations, is prioritizing the development of innovative solutions that allow seniors to live independently, healthily, and safely at home for as long as possible. Research highlights the importance of daily activities and mobility for well-being. Many seniors between 65 and 84 have structured their lifestyles around car use, with nearly 60% of trips made by car and only 8% via public transport. However, for those over 85, mobility becomes more challenging as many are no longer able to drive and rely heavily on public transportation or assistance from family. As a result, elderly individuals often face limited mobility and social isolation, especially if they are unable to get rides from family members. If no help is available, 20% of elderly women and 17% of elderly men would remain homebound. Public transport, while essential, presents additional challenges such as difficult access points, unsynchronized schedules, and limited routes that don't match the everyday needs of seniors.
In response, Lidingö is actively working to improve the ability to move freely in society, ensuring accessibility and reliability for elderly citizens. A failure to create such a system could result in a large portion of the aging population becoming socially isolated. The project aims to foster inclusion by exploring future scenarios that address the mobility challenges seniors face and to prototype innovations that prevent any loss of quality of life due to reduced mobility.
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The project team is dedicated to improving mobility for Lidingö's aging population through a collaboration that brings together Lidingö Municipality, which provides valuable societal insights; EGGS Part of Sopra Steria, specializing in Strategic Foresight and Speculative Design; and Karolina Pamp, an expert in sustainable mobility.​
