Dementia‐friendly cities: designing intelligible neighbourhoods for life

This paper presents findings from research exploring ways in which the design of the outdoor environment affects the ability of older people with dementia to understand and navigate their local urban neighbourhoods. The paper establishes the importance of legibility for older people with dementia in using and enjoying their local neighbourhoods. It also identifies design features that make an area legible for older people with dementia, such as the character of street networks and the presence and type of landmarks. By focusing on designing urban areas that are explicitly easy to understand, navigate and access, the findings are relevant to all members of society.