Neurourbanism and Accessible Tourism: Savoring Design as a therapeutic proposal for Healthy Aging

Abstract

It's estimated that by 2100, the population aged 60 or over will reach 30% in the world, according to UN data from 2024. It's also expected that the vast majority of elderly people will live in urban environments, especially in low-and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, Africa and Asian countries. In this perspective, this study aims to investigate how NeuroUrbanism and Environmental Gerontology can contribute to the creation of accessible and therapeutic tourist environments for the elderly, proposing the concept of "savoring design" as an approach to improve the well-being of older tourists. As an exploratory method, an integrative literature review was adopted, covering research published between 2018 and 2024 on urban accessibility, healthy aging and tourism. The analysis revealed that urban environments designed based on the principles of NeuroUrbanism can reduce stress, improve safety and encourage social interactions among the elderly. Savoring design, inspired by Positive Psychology, was highlighted as an effective approach to promoting conscious appreciation of the environment through aesthetic landscapes, green areas, rest areas and accessible pathways, thus improving relaxation and quality of life for older adults during their tourism experiences. The results indicate that, in addition to meeting the physical needs of accessibility and safety, urban planning should integrate interventions that promote the emotional and cognitive well-being of older tourists. The conclusion suggests that accessible urban design, combined with strategies that promote well-being, is essential to ensure that tourist destinations are inclusive and welcoming.

Full text

Proceedings of International Scientific Conference “Post COVID-19 Tourism”
Veliko Tarnovo/Sofia, Bulgaria, 3-4 October 2024
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NEUROURBANISM AND ACCESSIBLE TOURISM: SAVORING
DESIGN AS A THERAPEUTIC PROPOSAL FOR HEALTHY AGING
Ciro Albuquerque
1
*, Zilsa Santiago
2
Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Brazil
ABSTRACT: It’s estimated that by 2100, the population aged 60 or over will reach 30% in the world,
according to UN data from 2024. It’s also expected that the vast majority of elderly people will live in urban
environments, especially in low- and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, Africa and Asian countries. In this
perspective, this study aims to investigate how NeuroUrbanism and Environmental Gerontology can contribute to
the creation of accessible and therapeutic tourist environments for the elderly, proposing the concept of "savoring
design" as an approach to improve the well-being of older tourists. As an exploratory method, an integrative
literature review was adopted, covering research published between 2018 and 2024 on urban accessibility, healthy
aging and tourism. The analysis revealed that urban environments designed based on the principles of
NeuroUrbanism can reduce stress, improve safety and encourage social interactions among the elderly. Savoring
design, inspired by Positive Psychology, was highlighted as an effective approach to promoting conscious
appreciation of the environment through aesthetic landscapes, green areas, rest areas and accessible pathways,
thus improving relaxation and quality of life for older adults during their tourism experiences. The results indicate
that, in addition to meeting the physical needs of accessibility and safety, urban planning should integrate
interventions that promote the emotional and cognitive well-being of older tourists. The conclusion suggests that
accessible urban design, combined with strategies that promote well-being, is essential to ensure that tourist
destinations are inclusive and welcoming.
KEYWORDS: urbanism; tourism; neuroscience; accessibility; healthy aging.
INTRODUCTION
By 2100, 1 in 3 people will be 60 years of age or older worldwide (UN, 2024).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of people aged 60 or older
is expected to double between 2020 and 2050, rising from 12% to around 22%. This equates to
more than 2 billion people aged 60 or older worldwide by mid-century (PAHO, 2020).
According to projections from the UN Population Division, between 1950 and 2100, the age
group of elderly people aged 60 and over is expected to grow 15.4 times in the period, which
has been characterized as a profound process of population aging (UN, 2024). In addition to the
1
Ciro Férrer Herbster Albuquerque, Master's student in Architecture, Urbanism and Design in the Postgraduate
Program of the Department of Architecture, Urbanism and Design (PPGAUD) of the Federal University of Ceará
(UFC). Architect and Urbanist, consultant and academic researcher in Neuroscience and Aging applied to built
spaces. Brazil, ciro.ferrer@hotmail.com, ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7462-6941
*Corresponding author.
2
Zilsa Maria Pinto Santiago, Professor and PhD in Education from the Federal University of Ceará (UFC),
Professor and advisor of the Postgraduate Program in Architecture, Urbanism and Design (PPGAUD) at the
Federal University of Ceará (UFC). Architect and Urbanist, consultant and academic researcher in Accessibility
of the built environment. Brazil, zilsa@arquitetura.ufc.br, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9980-4954.

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issue of increased life expectancy, the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-
HABITAT) showed that 55% of the world's population lived in urban areas in 2021, rising to
68% by 2050 (UN, 2022). It is estimated that 79% of the population of Latin America and
Caribbean lives in large urban centers. Therefore, it is expected that the vast majority of older
people will live in urban environments, especially in low- and middle-income countries, such
as Brazil, Africa and Asian countries (UN, 2022).
Aging is characterized by physiological changes, such as modifications to physical and
sensory capacity, as well as cognitive and emotional changes. However, such changes do not
occur uniformly in all individuals (Batistoni et al., 2014). Heterogeneity in aging is marked by
differences in health trajectories, lifestyles, socioeconomic status, and environmental context
(Freitas and Py, 2022). A cross-sectional study involving more than 3,100 elderly individuals
aged 60 or over found that residents living in socioeconomically advantaged neighborhoods
with access to parks and public squares have greater cognitive reserve
1
than populations who
aged in neighborhoods far from urban centers, with little or no presence of green areas
effectively accessible to the community (Soloveva et al., 2023). Recognizing the importance of
healthy aging and the implications of this process on the population, the UN General Assembly
and WHO declared the “Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030)”. The aim is to unite
governments, international organizations, health professionals, civil society and other
stakeholders to improve the lives of older people, their families and communities (PAHO,
2020).
Accessible Tourism (AT) is a field that is increasingly developing, with the central
objective of removing physical, sensory and attitudinal barriers, allowing people with
disabilities, reduced mobility and other conditions to have full access to tourist experiences.
Initially focused on the inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs), AT has evolved to
encompass the concept of Universal Design (UD), created in the 1960s by Ronald Lawrence
Mace, whose premise is tourism projects for all age groups and conditions, ensuring equal
access (Speck, Di Marco and Natividade, 2016). Even with around 1 billion inhabitants in the
world with some type of physical or intellectual disability, 80% of whom live in developing
countries, accessibility is not only a matter of social inclusion in the tourism sector, but also an
economic opportunity (UN, 2022). In built environments, it is guided by the ISO 21902:2021
standard, entitled "Tourism and related services — Accessible tourism for all". According to
1
Cognitive reserve is characterized as the brain's ability to tolerate pathological changes, such as those associated
with aging or neurodegenerative diseases, without presenting clinical manifestations of cognitive decline (Stern,
2009).

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the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), older people are increasingly active in the travel
and tourism sector, representing a growing market (OECD, 2023). With more time available
after retirement and often with financial resources, this age group in society is willing to explore
new tourism experiences, as long as accessibility conditions are adequate to their needs (OECD,
2023).
In this perspective of positive emotional experiences in urban areas, Neurourbanism
presents itself as an interdisciplinary field of study under construction capable of evaluating
biological, psychological and social influences during population aging, taking into account not
only the physical structure of the city, but also the emotionality present in individual and
collective flows on a given territorial scale (Adli et al., 2017; Hollander and Sussman, 2020).
It aims to explore the relationship between urban environments, the human brain, cognition and
mental health. Combining principles from psychiatry, urban planning, psychology,
neuroscience, architecture, sociology, philosophy and ethnography, this field studies how cities
and urban design influence the well-being and mental health of inhabitants (Adli et al., 2017;
Hollander and Sussman, 2020). The convergence of this knowledge aims to understand how
urban space can affect the human brain in the short, medium and long term, investigating
elements such as spatial perception, lighting, air quality, temperature, noise, among others.
METHODOLOGY
Recognizing the importance of AT in the context of social rights, inclusion and well-
being in city design, this study aims to analyze how urban variables, such as lighting, air quality,
thermal and acoustic comfort and the presence of green areas, directly influence the brain
responses of tourists over 60 years old, taking into account knowledge from neuroscience,
positive psychology and environmental gerontology. Aiming to guide design decisions in urban
areas in favor of AT and, consequently, provide health and quality of life for occupants, we
propose the implementation of evidence-based design (EBD)
1
, capable of fostering therapeutic
and memorable experiences. Therefore, as this is an exploratory study, an integrated literature
review was carried out involving the keywords “neuroscience”, “accessible tourism”, “urban
space” and “healthy aging”. For the review, in addition to the question “How can fully
accessible urban areas provide therapeutic experiences for elderly tourists?”, the following
criteria were adopted: articles published between 2018 and 2024, peer-reviewed and in English.
1
This method is particularly relevant in the creation of urban environments, as it seeks to maximize human well-
being, health and functionality of space based on verified evidence (Ravensbergen and El-Geneidy, 2022).

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The Boolean operators used were “AND” and “OR”. Of the 1,012 initial articles, 8 were
compatible with the study proposal and were therefore analyzed. Complementary authors such
as Bryant and Veroff (2007), Pallasmaa (2015), Adli et al. (2017), Hollander and Sussman
(2020), Olszewska-Guizzo (2023) among others, were of fundamental importance for
understanding the theme. The aim is, therefore, to formulate evidence-based urban design
proposals, taking into account the responsibility of urban planning professionals to design
environments beyond technical regulations, capable of not only allowing, but providing
significant, memorable and therapeutic experiences to tourists and elderly citizens, combining
urban planning and tourist accessibility.
RESULTS
After analyzing the articles, the current state of the art of the proposed theme has not
yet been considered in the academic scenario, especially the convergence of the theme of
Neurourbanism with AT. However, from the moment the subjects are analyzed separately, AT
is at the beginning of its development, essentially in the theme of integrated urban routes for
the elderly in densely urbanized cities (Escuderos, Andreu and Ros, 2021). The same occurs
with Neurourbanism, whose publications began in 2017 (Ndaguba et al., 2022). Another
important point was the growth of productions about neuroscience applied to tourism.
According to Michael et al. (2019), neuroscience applied to tourism aims to explore the
understanding of specific mental processes in human behaviors in tourist experiences,
suggesting that unconscious emotional and cognitive responses are natural processes that need
to be studied and understood, not as special cases, but that are incorporated as natural parts of
tourism research in favor of investigations centered on users and feelings of well-being and
performance quality in tourist experience spaces (Michael et al., 2019).
Through EBD, the premise of “savoring design” was highlighted as an effective
approach to promote conscious appreciation of the environment through aesthetic landscapes,
green areas, rest areas and accessible paths, allowing sensory reconnection with nature and,
consequently, qualifying the tourist experiences of the elderly population in urban spaces.
Savoring experiences refer to the set of sensations, perceptions, thoughts, behaviors and
emotions that an individual experiences when paying attention to and appreciating a positive
stimulus or experience, influenced by both environmental characteristics and situational
circumstances. The intensity and quality of these experiences vary according to duration,
complexity, ability to reduce stress, self-regulation and the social interactions involved (Bryant

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and Veroff, 2007). In the context of urban space, savoring can be understood as the conscious
experience of pleasant sensations derived from interaction with the environment.
The integration of multisensory experience with savoring design in urban space suggests
that environments should be designed to provide rich and varied stimuli that promote a tactile,
auditory and olfactory perception of space (Ravensbergen and El-Geneidy, 2022). An
architecture that only appeals to the sense of sight fails to fully engage the body and is therefore
not capable of generating a complete and meaningful experience of space. Instead, he argues
that space should be experienced through a deep and holistic interaction, in which the body
becomes an instrument of perception (Pallasmaa, 2015). For older adults, who often suffer from
changes in their sensory capacities, spaces that offer subtle variations in texture, temperature
and sound can be therapeutic, stimulating the brain and providing enriching experiences (Freitas
and Py, 2022). Considering the proposal of AT in urban areas capable of providing therapeutic,
pleasant and memorable experiences for elderly tourists, the applicability of “savoring design”
was investigated in an interdisciplinary manner in six variables of urban design: (i) lighting, (ii)
noise pollution, (iii) air quality, (iv) presence of green areas, (v) perception of safety and (vi)
urban furniture, shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Savoring Design guidelines for accessible tourism in urban environments.
Cognitive and emotional implications of
spatial variable
Design Guidelines
(I) Lighting is a critical variable to ensure the
safety, spatial orientation and comfort of
users, especially the elderly. Studies show
that lighting directly affects mood and
cognition, regulating circadian rhythms and
influencing the limbic system, which is
responsible for emotional response. For
elderly tourists, poor lighting can cause
disorientation, insecurity and stress,
especially at night, increasing the risk of falls
and reducing the quality of the experience
(Ndaguba et al., 2022).
Integrative Lighting: use lighting technologies
that mimic natural light and adjust color
temperature throughout the day to support the
circadian rhythm, promoting greater cognitive and
emotional well-being.
Focus on Safety Perception: ensure uniform
lighting without deep shadows to reduce the fear
of accidents or crimes in urban spaces, especially
in areas with high tourist concentrations and rest
stops.
Focus on Visual Cues: implement strategic
lighting at points of interest and signage to
facilitate navigation and reduce cognitive overload
for seniors, promoting a more pleasant and safe
experience.
(ii) Noise pollution in cities can be
detrimental to mental and cognitive health,
contributing to increased stress, mental
Low Noise Pollution Zones: create rest areas
where noise pollution is minimized by means of
natural acoustic barriers, such as trees and shrubs,

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fatigue and hearing loss, especially in elderly
populations. Excessive noise directly affects
the prefrontal cortex and other areas
responsible for attention and working
memory, compromising the ability of elderly
people to orient themselves and appreciate
tourist environments. Creating quiet areas
and pleasant sound experiences can
significantly increase savoring and improve
the cognitive health of elderly tourists
(Ravensbergen and El-Geneidy, 2022).
or artificial ones, such as acoustic walls.
Incorporation of Natural Sounds: promote
positive auditory experiences, such as the sound of
water fountains or birdsong, which can calm the
nervous system and facilitate the savoring
experience.
Urban Noise Management: establish regulations
that limit noise levels in areas with high
concentrations of elderly people and tourists,
especially in tourist areas of high cultural and
historical value.
(iii) Air quality has direct implications for
physical and mental health, influencing
cognitive and emotional functioning.
Prolonged exposure to air pollutants can
cause inflammation in the brain, contributing
to cognitive decline in the elderly and
compromising the tourist experience. Urban
environments with high air quality not only
promote physical health, but also improve
mental clarity and overall well-being,
essential for a positive savoring experience
(Grigorescu et al., 2020).
Creating Green Corridors: integrating
ecological corridors and green areas that help filter
the air and reduce pollution, while also providing
therapeutic spaces for walking and relaxation.
Air Quality Monitoring: using real-time air
quality monitoring technology and providing this
information in an accessible way to tourists and
residents so they can make informed decisions
about their travel.
Reducing Pollution Sources: implementing
strategies to reduce vehicle emissions and other
pollutants in tourist areas, such as promoting
electric public transportation and limiting traffic in
certain areas.
(iv) The presence of green spaces are
essential for promoting mental and physical
well-being, especially in densely populated
urban environments. From a neuroscientific
perspective, contact with nature stimulates
the limbic system and other areas related to
emotional processing and memory,
facilitating the savoring experience. For older
tourists, accessible and well-designed green
spaces provide opportunities for relaxation,
social interaction, and sensory stimulation
that can reduce stress and improve mood
(Olszewska-Guizzo, 2023).
Biophilic Design: incorporate natural elements,
such as vegetation, water and natural light, in a
coherent manner throughout the urban landscape,
creating pleasant and stimulating microclimates
for the brain.
Accessibility in Green Areas: ensure that green
areas are easily accessible by ramps and adequate
paving, promoting the inclusion of people with
reduced mobility and other special needs.
Social Interaction Spaces: provide meeting and
social spaces in parks and squares, which
encourage intergenerational interaction and the
formation of communities, fundamental elements
for healthy aging.
(v) The perception of safety is a determining
factor in the quality of the tourist experience,
especially for the elderly, who tend to be
more vulnerable to dangers and accidents.
Urban safety is directly related to emotional
well-being and the ability to explore the city
without fear or stress. Safe spaces facilitate
Adequate lighting: as mentioned above, lighting
plays a key role in the perception of security. Well-
lit environments reduce the feeling of vulnerability
and increase users’ confidence in the space.
Active Surveillance and Monitoring: implement
discreet surveillance systems and a visible police
presence to reinforce security without

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savoring, allowing the elderly to fully enjoy
their tourist experiences (Hollander and
Sussman, 2021).
compromising the feeling of freedom and comfort.
Preventative Design: propose urban spaces that
discourage criminal behavior through design
strategies that increase visibility and constant
occupancy of public spaces.
(vi) Urban furniture is considered a key
component for the comfort and functionality
of public spaces. For older people, the
availability of comfortable and accessible
seating at strategic points can significantly
improve the tourist experience, allowing
them to rest, socialize and absorb the
environment more efficiently. In addition, the
ergonomics and suitability of urban furniture
can directly influence savoring, promoting a
longer and more enjoyable experience
(Michael et al., 2019).
Functional and Comfortable Furniture: design
benches and seats that provide ergonomic support
and are located in areas that allow for the
enjoyment of scenic views or social events,
promoting savoring.
Diversifying Furniture Types: offer a variety of
furniture options, including backless and backless
seating, picnic tables, and lounge chairs, to
accommodate the different needs and preferences
of senior tourists.
Accessible Furniture: ensure that all street
furniture is accessible to people with reduced
mobility, including raised seating options,
armrests, and non-slip surfaces.
DISCUSSION
Implementing the concept of savoring design in cities requires a systematic and
integrated approach that considers urban, tourism, and strategic planning needs. Cities such as
Copenhagen and Singapore have adopted successful practices that integrate efficient public
transport infrastructure with tourist zones and green areas, promoting inclusive mobility
(OECD, 2023). Interconnectivity between tourist hotspots and the use of accessible
transportation, such as subways, buses, and bike paths, significantly improves the mobility
experience of older adults who require physical or cognitive support (Grigorescu et al., 2020).
New York City’s High Line is a significant example of how urban planning interventions can
transform urban areas into spaces for enriching sensory and aesthetic experiences, aligning with
the principles of savoring design and inclusive urbanism. The project provides a walkable and
connected environment, while integrating variables such as vegetation, strategic lighting, and
adapted street furniture (Ravensbergen and El-Geneidy, 2022).
By connecting tourist areas with transportation modes and ensuring that urban planning
addresses accessibility needs, cities can provide an inclusive and enriching tourist experience
for all users (Escuderos, Andreu and Ros, 2021). The integration of green spaces, the
installation of urban furniture that allows for relaxation and contemplation, and the control of
urban lighting and sound are essential to creating environments that encourage savoring and
promote the mental health and well-being of residents and tourists. Ultimately, savoring design

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has the potential to transform the urban experience, especially for older adults, promoting
health, well-being, and memorable experiences in densely urbanized cities.
CONCLUSIONS
These guidelines, informed by the principles of neuroscience, gerontology and
accessible tourism, have the potential to profoundly reconfigure the urban tourism experience
aimed at senior citizens, promoting the creation of more welcoming, safe and cognitively
stimulating environments. By emphasizing key variables such as adequate lighting, harmonious
soundscapes, air quality, presence of green areas, improved security and ergonomic
arrangement of street furniture, planners can structure spaces that encourage the practice of
savoring. This allows senior tourists, when interacting with such environments, to experience
more intense and pleasurable experiences, resulting in cognitive and emotional gains. The
process of healthy aging transcends medical care and individual behaviors, proving to be
equally dependent on the configuration of the urban environment, which should be designed to
stimulate brain function through enriching sensory, social and emotional experiences. By
incorporating these guidelines into city planning, it is possible to not only attract a greater
number of senior tourists, but also ensure that their experiences are marked by positive and
lasting memories, while providing conditions for healthy aging of residents.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de
Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001.
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