Dear future, dear past,
Description
We are growing older, and the amount of older people in Norway will soon be historically high. The social and societal differences between old an young can create conflicts of interests and lack of togetherness in neighbourhoods and environments.
Dear future, dear past, is a strategic design diploma exploring these differences. The project consists of two proposals; one about how we want to grow old, and one about how we can nurture more connection accross age groups.
The ambition with this diploma is to introduce a bigger focus on connecting age groups in the ongoing strategic work among public, private and ideal actors to prepare the Norwegian society for the emerging population change.
“The Archive of Norwegian Destinies” is a book that contains 200 descriptions written by a neighbourhood in Oslo. The descriptions came from a participatory exhibition called “Destiny’s Market”. Some of these descriptions have been visualised, and show scenarios about how these destinies play out in a future where the young and old are more connected.
“Intergenerational Design Examples” is a website containing 5 concepts, as well as descriptions to how we can design for intergenerational meetings. Each concept focuses on different ways that young and old can interact, through services, social infrastructures, traditions and platforms.
The concepts are the result of a pragmatic exploration; getting older friends, field work in 3 Norwegian municipalities, attending events that are exclusively for old people, interviewing and talking to inhabitants and municipal workers.