Design for All

Demographics


A combination of reductions in infant mortality, low birth rates, and increasing longevity, is restructuring populations across the world. By 2020, one in five of EU population will be aged 60 or over. By 2050 those aged 65-84 will number 1.3 billion globally.

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three older women looking at a painting in an art gallery

Demographic shift impacts on business

Living longer: the new context for design, is one of a series of 'Policy Papers' published by the Design Council to raise awareness within the business community of the demographic shift and the impact this will have on the market place. It shows how design can deliver solutions to mainstream issues of concern to society today.

Highly illustrated, it gives a background to population ageing and proposes inclusive design as the most appropriate response by business, design and education. Contains specific recommendations for all three sectors, for local and national governments. There are reflections from a specially convened UK expert reference group.

The document is broken down into 6 parts

  1. Drivers for change.
  2. The life in our years.
  3. Inclusive design.
  4. The way forward.
  5. Recommendations to government, industry and education.
  6. Quotes from the review panel of experts assembled to advise on the text and recommendations.
Reference: Coleman R (2001) Living longer: the new context for design. Design Council, London