Samantha Biglieri | Toronto Metropolitan University (original) (raw)
Papers by Samantha Biglieri
Bristol University Press eBooks, Mar 28, 2024
Policy Press eBooks, Mar 31, 2021
<p>This chapter talks about Canada's built environment and population growth that predo... more <p>This chapter talks about Canada's built environment and population growth that predominantly occurs on the urban fringe. It describes Canada as a suburban nation and its largest metropolitan areas, which include Vancouver, Montréal, and Toronto with the suburban residents that exceed 80 percent. It also distinguishes traditional forms of suburban locations that can be characterized by a variety of factors, such as the proportion of single-family housing, car-commuting patterns, population density, and home-ownership rates. The chapter recognizes that the modern suburban landscape is complex and diverse and that there is no single perfect operational definition of suburban. It examines suburban Canada's population that is relatively heterogeneous, compared to rural locations, but is still significantly less diverse than urban Canada.</p>
Bristol University Press eBooks, Jul 22, 2021
Policy Press eBooks, Mar 31, 2021
<p>This chapter provides a snapshot of Canadian rural demographic trends, an overview of th... more <p>This chapter provides a snapshot of Canadian rural demographic trends, an overview of the state-of-the-art thinking on rural aging, and contextual framing for in-depth research. It cites key debates on rural aging in relation to the built-environment and the extent to which it disserves the older population. It also talks about the limitations associated with lack of funding, service availability, and geographical isolation in rural environments. The chapter highlights the importance of service accessibility, particularly to the almost quarter of a million low-income, older-adult rural residents. It summarizes the existing research on aging in Canadian rural communities and further unpacks the challenges and benefits of rural aging.</p>
Policy Press eBooks, Mar 31, 2021
<p>This chapter looks at Statistics Canada and the academic literature to present some styl... more <p>This chapter looks at Statistics Canada and the academic literature to present some stylized facts and figures regarding urban older adults and a synthesis of the challenges and opportunities of aging in urban environments. It provides a snapshot of Canadian urban demographic trends and an overview of the state-of-the-art thinking on urban aging. It also describes Canada as a predominant nation of rural spaces as urban locations occupy only 0.25 percent of Canada's 9.9 million square kilometres. The chapter focuses on the three largest metropolitan areas: Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver, which are home to more than a third of all Canadians with a combined population of 12.5 million. It refers to urban Canada, which evokes the images of being big, bustling conurbations with dense downtowns, skyscrapers, and expensive housing.</p>
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement
The confluence of rapid population aging and the overwhelming desire of older adults to age in pl... more The confluence of rapid population aging and the overwhelming desire of older adults to age in place begs the question: Do our cities support the health and well-being of aging populations? Using a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood approach, this macro-scale investigation explores the “double risk” that many older adults live with – the potential of being disadvantaged by socio-demographic risk factors (being older, living alone, low income) and by living in an unsupportive built environment. It is an integration of what we know about supportive built form for older adults and applies this knowledge to Canadian cities, using a spectrum approach to classifying built environments. We found that most older adults with socio-demographic risk factors are living in unsupportive built environments in Canada; however, the distribution between built environments along the spectrum and between municipalities reveals a variegated landscape of double risk. Previous research suggests that unsupport...
Routledge eBooks, Aug 15, 2022
Bristol University Press eBooks, Mar 28, 2024
Journal of Planning Education and Research
The World Health Organization (WHO) calls dementia the leading cause of dependency and disability... more The World Health Organization (WHO) calls dementia the leading cause of dependency and disability among older adults. People living with dementia (PLWD) are more likely to reside in community, and often within suburban areas. This research examines mobility barriers and supports for PLWD within suburban neighborhoods in Waterloo, Canada. We conducted thirteen participatory go-along interviews with seven PLWD, identifying supports/barriers relating to land-use and transportation, urban design, and wayfinding. While this research highlighted mobility barriers for participants, suburban neighborhoods were also perceived as enabling environments, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of life in suburban settings.
Studies in Political Economy
Journal of Applied Gerontology
There is limited empirical knowledge about how older adults living with dementia enact their soci... more There is limited empirical knowledge about how older adults living with dementia enact their social citizenship through out-of-home participation. This study aimed: (a) to investigate out-of-home participation among older adults with and without dementia in four countries and (b) to compare aspects of stability or change in out-of-home participation. Using a cross-sectional design, older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia and without dementia, aged 55 years and over, were interviewed using the Participation in ACTivities and Places OUTside the Home questionnaire in Canada ( n = 58), Sweden ( n = 69), Switzerland ( n = 70), and the United Kingdom ( n = 128). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a two-way analysis of variance. After adjustment for age, diagnosis of dementia and country of residence had significant effects on total out-of-home participation ( p < .01). The results contribute to policies and development of programs to facilitate social citizenship b...
Planning Practice & Research, 2017
ABSTRACT The number of people with dementia worldwide will reach 115.4 million by 2050. This acce... more ABSTRACT The number of people with dementia worldwide will reach 115.4 million by 2050. This accelerating crisis has sparked research on how to design neighbourhoods for those with early dementia, and how to empower them through built environment changes to remain in their community for as long as possible. There are numerous benefits for persons with dementia who continue access to their neighbourhood: physical activity, sense of dignity, social interaction, autonomy and psychological wellbeing. In this paper, I examine 17 recommendations (urban design and land use strategies) identified as ‘dementia-friendly’, within dementia design and planning literature. Each is then examined against the planning frameworks for a mid-size suburban municipality in Ontario and assessed for its financial impact on a base case subdivision using pro forma analysis. The effect on the financial return for a developer was minimal, demonstrating that establishing these recommendations as policy is viable, through regulation and incentives.
For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumber youth. In this article we examine the extent ... more For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumber youth. In this article we examine the extent of current, and projected, aging in Ontario's municipalities. We assess if, and to what extent, local municipal governments have begun to plan for older adults. We find that senior dependency is expected to rise in every Ontario municipality. Small municipalities are particularly vulnerable as they are expected to experience the most severe aging and are least likely to have initiated community age-friendly planning.
Contrary to popular belief, over two thirds of Canadians with dementia live in the community as o... more Contrary to popular belief, over two thirds of Canadians with dementia live in the community as opposed to congregate living. This begs a question that has not been adequately explored in planning practice or academia: How can we as planners who deal with land-use, community design, and public consultation every day, understand and meet the needs of people with dementia (PWD), who are citizens just like everyone else? After examining existing work on the relationship between the built environment and PWD, I argue a dementia-specific approach to planning practice and research is needed in the Canadian context.
Cases of dementia in Ontario will grow from 181,000 to 46,000 by 2036. This accelerating crisis h... more Cases of dementia in Ontario will grow from 181,000 to 46,000 by 2036. This accelerating crisis has sparked research on how to design neighbourhoods for those persons with mild to moderate dementia, and how to empower them through built environment changes to remain in their community for as long as possible. There are numerous benefits for persons with dementia who continue access to their neighbourhood including: physical activity, sense of dignity, social interaction, autonomy, and psychological wellbeing. This MRP examines 17 Recommendations (urban design and land use strategies) identified as 'dementia-friendly', within dementia design and planning literature. Each is then examined against the planning frameworks for Whitby, Ontario, and assessed for its economic impact on a base case subdivision using pro forma analysis. The effect on the financial return for a developer was minimal, demonstrating that establishing these recommendations as policy is viable, through reg...
Volume 4: Policy and Planning, 2021
For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumber youth. In this article we examine the extend ... more For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumber youth. In this article we examine the extend of current, and projected, aging in Ontario municipalities. We assess if, and to what extend, local governments have begun to plan for older adults. We find that senior dependency is expected to rise in every Ontario municipality. Small municipalities are particularly vulnerable as they are expected to experience the most severe aging and are least likely to have initiated community age-friendly planning.
Bristol University Press eBooks, Mar 28, 2024
Policy Press eBooks, Mar 31, 2021
<p>This chapter talks about Canada's built environment and population growth that predo... more <p>This chapter talks about Canada's built environment and population growth that predominantly occurs on the urban fringe. It describes Canada as a suburban nation and its largest metropolitan areas, which include Vancouver, Montréal, and Toronto with the suburban residents that exceed 80 percent. It also distinguishes traditional forms of suburban locations that can be characterized by a variety of factors, such as the proportion of single-family housing, car-commuting patterns, population density, and home-ownership rates. The chapter recognizes that the modern suburban landscape is complex and diverse and that there is no single perfect operational definition of suburban. It examines suburban Canada's population that is relatively heterogeneous, compared to rural locations, but is still significantly less diverse than urban Canada.</p>
Bristol University Press eBooks, Jul 22, 2021
Policy Press eBooks, Mar 31, 2021
<p>This chapter provides a snapshot of Canadian rural demographic trends, an overview of th... more <p>This chapter provides a snapshot of Canadian rural demographic trends, an overview of the state-of-the-art thinking on rural aging, and contextual framing for in-depth research. It cites key debates on rural aging in relation to the built-environment and the extent to which it disserves the older population. It also talks about the limitations associated with lack of funding, service availability, and geographical isolation in rural environments. The chapter highlights the importance of service accessibility, particularly to the almost quarter of a million low-income, older-adult rural residents. It summarizes the existing research on aging in Canadian rural communities and further unpacks the challenges and benefits of rural aging.</p>
Policy Press eBooks, Mar 31, 2021
<p>This chapter looks at Statistics Canada and the academic literature to present some styl... more <p>This chapter looks at Statistics Canada and the academic literature to present some stylized facts and figures regarding urban older adults and a synthesis of the challenges and opportunities of aging in urban environments. It provides a snapshot of Canadian urban demographic trends and an overview of the state-of-the-art thinking on urban aging. It also describes Canada as a predominant nation of rural spaces as urban locations occupy only 0.25 percent of Canada's 9.9 million square kilometres. The chapter focuses on the three largest metropolitan areas: Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver, which are home to more than a third of all Canadians with a combined population of 12.5 million. It refers to urban Canada, which evokes the images of being big, bustling conurbations with dense downtowns, skyscrapers, and expensive housing.</p>
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement
The confluence of rapid population aging and the overwhelming desire of older adults to age in pl... more The confluence of rapid population aging and the overwhelming desire of older adults to age in place begs the question: Do our cities support the health and well-being of aging populations? Using a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood approach, this macro-scale investigation explores the “double risk” that many older adults live with – the potential of being disadvantaged by socio-demographic risk factors (being older, living alone, low income) and by living in an unsupportive built environment. It is an integration of what we know about supportive built form for older adults and applies this knowledge to Canadian cities, using a spectrum approach to classifying built environments. We found that most older adults with socio-demographic risk factors are living in unsupportive built environments in Canada; however, the distribution between built environments along the spectrum and between municipalities reveals a variegated landscape of double risk. Previous research suggests that unsupport...
Routledge eBooks, Aug 15, 2022
Bristol University Press eBooks, Mar 28, 2024
Journal of Planning Education and Research
The World Health Organization (WHO) calls dementia the leading cause of dependency and disability... more The World Health Organization (WHO) calls dementia the leading cause of dependency and disability among older adults. People living with dementia (PLWD) are more likely to reside in community, and often within suburban areas. This research examines mobility barriers and supports for PLWD within suburban neighborhoods in Waterloo, Canada. We conducted thirteen participatory go-along interviews with seven PLWD, identifying supports/barriers relating to land-use and transportation, urban design, and wayfinding. While this research highlighted mobility barriers for participants, suburban neighborhoods were also perceived as enabling environments, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of life in suburban settings.
Studies in Political Economy
Journal of Applied Gerontology
There is limited empirical knowledge about how older adults living with dementia enact their soci... more There is limited empirical knowledge about how older adults living with dementia enact their social citizenship through out-of-home participation. This study aimed: (a) to investigate out-of-home participation among older adults with and without dementia in four countries and (b) to compare aspects of stability or change in out-of-home participation. Using a cross-sectional design, older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia and without dementia, aged 55 years and over, were interviewed using the Participation in ACTivities and Places OUTside the Home questionnaire in Canada ( n = 58), Sweden ( n = 69), Switzerland ( n = 70), and the United Kingdom ( n = 128). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a two-way analysis of variance. After adjustment for age, diagnosis of dementia and country of residence had significant effects on total out-of-home participation ( p < .01). The results contribute to policies and development of programs to facilitate social citizenship b...
Planning Practice & Research, 2017
ABSTRACT The number of people with dementia worldwide will reach 115.4 million by 2050. This acce... more ABSTRACT The number of people with dementia worldwide will reach 115.4 million by 2050. This accelerating crisis has sparked research on how to design neighbourhoods for those with early dementia, and how to empower them through built environment changes to remain in their community for as long as possible. There are numerous benefits for persons with dementia who continue access to their neighbourhood: physical activity, sense of dignity, social interaction, autonomy and psychological wellbeing. In this paper, I examine 17 recommendations (urban design and land use strategies) identified as ‘dementia-friendly’, within dementia design and planning literature. Each is then examined against the planning frameworks for a mid-size suburban municipality in Ontario and assessed for its financial impact on a base case subdivision using pro forma analysis. The effect on the financial return for a developer was minimal, demonstrating that establishing these recommendations as policy is viable, through regulation and incentives.
For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumber youth. In this article we examine the extent ... more For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumber youth. In this article we examine the extent of current, and projected, aging in Ontario's municipalities. We assess if, and to what extent, local municipal governments have begun to plan for older adults. We find that senior dependency is expected to rise in every Ontario municipality. Small municipalities are particularly vulnerable as they are expected to experience the most severe aging and are least likely to have initiated community age-friendly planning.
Contrary to popular belief, over two thirds of Canadians with dementia live in the community as o... more Contrary to popular belief, over two thirds of Canadians with dementia live in the community as opposed to congregate living. This begs a question that has not been adequately explored in planning practice or academia: How can we as planners who deal with land-use, community design, and public consultation every day, understand and meet the needs of people with dementia (PWD), who are citizens just like everyone else? After examining existing work on the relationship between the built environment and PWD, I argue a dementia-specific approach to planning practice and research is needed in the Canadian context.
Cases of dementia in Ontario will grow from 181,000 to 46,000 by 2036. This accelerating crisis h... more Cases of dementia in Ontario will grow from 181,000 to 46,000 by 2036. This accelerating crisis has sparked research on how to design neighbourhoods for those persons with mild to moderate dementia, and how to empower them through built environment changes to remain in their community for as long as possible. There are numerous benefits for persons with dementia who continue access to their neighbourhood including: physical activity, sense of dignity, social interaction, autonomy, and psychological wellbeing. This MRP examines 17 Recommendations (urban design and land use strategies) identified as 'dementia-friendly', within dementia design and planning literature. Each is then examined against the planning frameworks for Whitby, Ontario, and assessed for its economic impact on a base case subdivision using pro forma analysis. The effect on the financial return for a developer was minimal, demonstrating that establishing these recommendations as policy is viable, through reg...
Volume 4: Policy and Planning, 2021
For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumber youth. In this article we examine the extend ... more For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumber youth. In this article we examine the extend of current, and projected, aging in Ontario municipalities. We assess if, and to what extend, local governments have begun to plan for older adults. We find that senior dependency is expected to rise in every Ontario municipality. Small municipalities are particularly vulnerable as they are expected to experience the most severe aging and are least likely to have initiated community age-friendly planning.