Intergenerational neighbourhoods and communities aligned with the New European Bauhaus

Expected Outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Demonstrated methodology is used by architects, spatial planners, designers and other relevant actors to identify the extent to which neighbourhoods[1] and communities[1] are intergenerational[1].
• Demonstrated solutions for intergenerational neighbourhoods and communities are available to public authorities, public/private real estate developers and owners, and stakeholders involved in the green transition[1] of neighbourhoods.
• The demonstrated solutions make a significant contribution to intergenerational living and measurably advance the green transition in the neighbourhoods (for example in the field of sustainable mobility, accessibility, climate-resilience, water resilience, and/or biodiversity conservation).

Scope

Research shows that countries with lower age-related inequalities have higher levels of life satisfaction overall[5], and that governments that balance the needs and interests of the present and future generations have higher levels of trust[6].

There is an increasing body of research on solutions such as ‘independent living’, ‘age-friendly housing’ and ‘smart multi-generational neighbourhoods’ and their benefits. Although different more cost-efficient solutions have been developed over the years, the focus of investments remains on costly age-segregated housing and communities for older adults (such as large nursing homes and large assisted living facilities).

This topic will support the development of intergenerational neighbourhoods and communities that better address the needs of the different age groups, while simultaneously tackling various local challenges (including, but not limited to the demographic transition, climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, loss of cultural heritage, feelings of insecurity).

Proposals are expected to address all of the following:

• Demonstrate a methodology to measure and monitor the extent to which neighbourhoods and communities are intergenerational. These may include digital platforms, smart sensing systems, or participatory data collection methods that enhance inclusiveness[1], accessibility, and real-time insight. Among others, the methodology is expected to:
• Identify barriers (e.g. legal, regulatory, institutional) to intergenerational living in neighbourhoods and communities.
• Explore perceptions of the different generations.
• Determine the role of informal services (including culture, social and health care, and education), in fostering intergenerational neighbourhoods and communities.
• Demonstrate at least three solutions that promote intergenerational living in at least three neighbourhoods (in urban, peri-urban and rural areas) located in different Member States and/or Associated Countries. The solutions are expected to:
• Redesign neighbourhood spaces, functions and/or services, where possible building upon the cultural and creative sectors and analysing users’ perception. This includes multisensory perceptions as well as perceived beauty.
• Be adaptable to different local contexts.
• Monitor, evaluate, and document the demonstrated solutions. Based on the evidence, propose recommendations for their adaptation and uptake.

Proposals are expected to follow a participatory[1] and transdisciplinary[1] approach through the integration of different actors and disciplines.

This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH)[1] disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.

In order to achieve the expected outcomes, international cooperation[11] is encouraged.

Proposals are encouraged to exploit synergies with successful proposals from the topics ‘HORIZON-NEB-2027-01-BUSINESS-03: Anticipating the long-term future of neighbourhoods in line with the New European Bauhaus’ and ‘HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-10: Intergenerational fairness in the context of demographic change in the EU’.

Proposals are expected to allocate at least 0.8% of their budget for engaging with the Horizon Europe-funded 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' to share their intermediate and final results, findings and learning, as well as to contribute to impact assessment.

[1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[3] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[4] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[5] OECD, ’How’s Life? 2020 Measuring Well-being', 2020, https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/how-s-life/volume-/issue-_9870c393-en/full-report.html

[6] OECD, ’OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions - 2024 Results: Building Trust in a Complex Policy Environment‘, OECD Publishing, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1787/9a20554b-en.

[7] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[8] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[10] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

[11] International cooperation and participation of countries beyond EU Member States, associated countries, or third countries under the Horizon Europe programme.