Short answer

When designing public spaces or implementing urban changes like pedestrianization, actively involve older adults in the design process and consider how seasonal variations might affect their access, comfort, and sense of community.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Journal of Urban Mobility (2026)
Method: Case Study
Evidence: Moderate effect

Temporary or seasonal street closures, while intended to improve urban living, can inadvertently create accessibility and social inclusion challenges for older adults if their specific needs and seasonal variations are not considered during the design and implementation phases. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Journal of Urban Mobility. Using Case study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing public spaces or implementing urban changes like pedestrianization, actively involve older adults in the design process and consider how seasonal variations might affect their access, comfort, and sense of community.

Study

User-Centred DesignNew This WeekModerate effect

Seasonal pedestrianization can exclude older adults if not designed with their needs in mind.

Journal of Urban Mobility · 2026

Key Findings

01Older adults' experiences of street transformations are shaped by their perceptions of social inclusion.
02Seasonal constraints can pose accessibility challenges for older adults.
03Civic engagement and the monitoring of outcomes are crucial for successful age-inclusive transitions.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Before implementing seasonal pedestrian zones or similar urban interventions, conduct user research specifically with older adults to understand potential barriers and co-design solutions that ensure accessibility and social connection year-round.

Project actions

01When researching user needs, specifically target and interview older adults about their experiences with public spaces.
02Consider how seasonal changes (weather, daylight hours, availability of services) might affect the usability of your design for different user groups.

Method & Evidence

AimHow do seasonal street transformations, such as pedestrianization initiatives, impact the lived experiences and perceptions of older adults in terms of social inclusion, accessibility, and their ability to age in place?

MethodCase Study

ProcedureThe study involved in-depth interviews with older adults and a content analysis of urban policies related to street transformations in Verdun, Montréal, focusing on the seasonal pedestrianization of Wellington Street.

ContextUrban planning and pedestrian infrastructure design, specifically focusing on seasonal street transformations and their impact on older adults.

Variables

IVSeasonal street transformations (e.g., pedestrianization periods).

DVOlder adults' perceptions of social inclusion, accessibility, and ability to age in place.

CVUrban policies, neighbourhood context, specific street transformation details.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Focuses on an under-researched demographic (older adults) in the context of urban experimentation.
+Combines qualitative user insights with policy analysis for a comprehensive view.

Limitations

The findings are specific to the context of Verdun, Montréal, and may not apply universally. The sample size of interviewees might be small, limiting the generalizability of the qualitative data.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is strengthened by combining qualitative interviews with policy analysis. Reliability could be enhanced by increasing the number of participants and potentially using multiple researchers for interview transcription and analysis to ensure consistency.

Think critically

To what extent do 'temporary' or 'seasonal' design interventions risk creating permanent barriers for certain user groups, and how can designers proactively mitigate this?

Design Principles

"Design for inclusivity across all user demographics and temporal variations."

Designers and urban planners often focus on the broad benefits of initiatives like pedestrianization, such as increased public space and reduced traffic. However, neglecting the nuanced experiences of specific user groups, particularly older adults who may have mobility or sensory limitations, can lead to unintended negative consequences and hinder the goal of creating truly inclusive environments.

What This Means for Your Design

Making streets pedestrian-only for part of the year is good, but we need to make sure older people can still get around and feel welcome, especially when the weather changes or services are different.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the need for user research with specific demographics, such as older adults, in your design project.
2.Reference the findings to explain how seasonal variations or accessibility issues can impact user experience and how your design addresses these.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study by Soliz et al. (2026) reveals that seasonal street transformations, while beneficial for some, can create significant accessibility and social inclusion challenges for older adults. Their research underscores the need for designers to move beyond general improvements and actively consider the nuanced, seasonal needs of diverse user groups to ensure that urban interventions promote genuine age-inclusivity and equitable access to public spaces.

Source

Journal of Urban Mobility

Aging in experimental places: A case study on seasonal street transformations with older adults in Verdun, Montréal

journal · 2026

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about seasonal pedestrianization can exclude older adults if not designed with their needs in mind?: When designing public spaces or implementing urban changes like pedestrianization, actively involve older adults in the design process and consider how seasonal variations might affect their access, comfort, and sense of community. Evidence: Journal of Urban Mobility (2026).
Why does "Seasonal pedestrianization can exclude older adults if not designed with their needs in mind." matter for design?: Designers and urban planners often focus on the broad benefits of initiatives like pedestrianization, such as increased public space and reduced traffic. However, neglecting the nuanced experiences of specific user groups, particularly older adults who may have mobility or sensory limitations, can lead to unintended negative consequences and hinder the goal of creating truly inclusive environments.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing public spaces or implementing urban changes like pedestrianization, actively involve older adults in the design process and consider how seasonal variations might affect their access, comfort, and sense of community.
What were the main findings?: Older adults' experiences of street transformations are shaped by their perceptions of social inclusion.. Seasonal constraints can pose accessibility challenges for older adults.. Civic engagement and the monitoring of outcomes are crucial for successful age-inclusive transitions.
What research method was used?: Case Study.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2026 journal from Journal of Urban Mobility.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Before implementing seasonal pedestrian zones or similar urban interventions, conduct user research specifically with older adults to understand potential barriers and co-design solutions that ensure accessibility and social connection year-round.
What are the limitations?: The study is a case study of a specific neighbourhood and may not be generalizable to all seasonal street transformation initiatives or all older adult populations. The findings are based on perceptions and lived experiences, which can be subjective.