This lecture explores how design can build a climate-resilient society that empowers older adults. Facing heightened vulnerability to extreme heat and service disruptions, older adults need supportive environments to age in place. This means designing for thermal comfort, universal accessibility, and social connectivity. But we must go further. Intergenerational living can foster stronger communities where different age groups interact and support each other. Incorporating “Ibasho,” creating spaces where older adults feel a sense of belonging and purpose, is also key. By embracing these principles, we can design for climate resilience while empowering older adults to thrive and contribute to society.

Dr. Emi Kiyota is an Associate Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, and Deputy Executive Director at the Centre for Population Health. With over 20 years of experience as an environmental gerontologist, she focuses on person-centered care and improving the built environment for older adults, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Kiyota founded the Ibasho initiative, creating elder-led community hubs in Japan, Nepal, and the Philippines. Her research interests include aging in place, design for brain health, and the intersection of aging and climate change within urban environments.