The DIHR Healthy Aging & Resilient Places (HARP) Lab recently met with researchers from the MIT Senseable City Lab in Seoul, South Korea, to exchange ideas on healthy aging, urban environments, emerging technologies, and the future of inclusive cities.
The meeting provided an opportunity to learn about Senseable City Seoul, an initiative using urban data, artificial intelligence, and human-centered research to better understand how people interact with and experience public spaces. The initiative’s work closely aligns with HARP Lab’s interest in how neighborhood and environmental conditions influence health, social connection, mobility, and quality of life across the lifespan.
During the meeting, the HARP Lab introduced its place-based approach to healthy aging and presented several of its current research projects, including:
- The Healthy City Atlas, a decision-support platform integrating spatial, environmental, and health data
- National mapping of environmental factors associated with fall-related injuries among older adults
- Fall Riskscape AI, which uses artificial intelligence to identify environmental fall hazards
- Nature Rx and virtual-reality nature programs supporting older adults’ mental health
- Nature in a Box, a portable VR-based nature intervention focused on cognitive health
The discussion highlighted the shared potential of urban data, digital technologies, and community-centered research to support healthier, safer, and more age-friendly communities.
HARP Lab appreciates the opportunity to connect with the MIT Senseable City Lab team and looks forward to future conversations and opportunities for collaboration.
Learn more about Senseable City Seoul:
Learn more about HARP Lab: