Public Defense of the Doctoral Thesis by Susana Azevedo
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Susana Azevedo's PhD Public Defense
Date: July 3, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Room B327, 3rd Floor, Building 4, Iscte.
Architecture and Health: The Role of the Built Environment in Healthy Aging
This is an innovative investigation conducted at ISCTE-IUL that analyzes one of the greatest social, economic, and political transformations of the 21st century: population aging.
Led by Susana Azevedo, the study "Architecture, Health, and Healthy Aging: Planning, Practice, and Future Challenges" analyzes the influence of the built environment of buildings on the health and well-being of elderly people living in Residential Structures for the Elderly (ERPI). The research shows how the architecture and interior design of these spaces play an essential role in the quality of life of this population, offering fundamental contributions to architectural planning aimed at a prosperous and healthy aging.
Portugal is currently the second most aging country in the European Union, highlighting the urgent need to reflect on the aging population and develop strategies to promote healthy aging. The study emphasizes the crucial role of the built environment in responding to the needs of an increasingly aging and long-lived population.
"The additional years of life must be lived with health and quality," says Susana Azevedo. "The built environment is one of the determining factors in promoting this quality of life."
The results confirm that architectural features, such as the functional organization and the relationship between spaces, accessibility, lighting, and interior design, directly influence the physical, cognitive, and social capacities of elderly people. One of the most important contributions of the research was the adaptation and validation of the Sheffield Care Environment Assessment Matrix (SCEAM) for the Portuguese context, resulting in the creation of the PT-SCEAM version, an essential tool for assessing the quality of life provided by the built environment of buildings.
This tool made it possible to conduct an innovative exploratory study in Portugal, which proves the significant impact of architecture and interior design on the health and well-being of the elderly.
"The results of this study offer a solid foundation for transforming current planning and construction practices, ensuring that residential structures respond not only to physical, cognitive, and social needs but also promote healthy aging," says Susana Azevedo.
In addition to pointing out new directions for future research, the thesis presents practical recommendations for caregivers, managers, architects, and political decision-makers, with the aim of promoting a person-centered approach and encouraging the development of more inclusive and humanized social facilities.
The research was conducted as part of the PhD in Architecture at ISCTE-IUL, under the guidance of an interdisciplinary team composed of psychologist Sara Ramos and architect Vasco Moreira Rato. The results stand out for their innovative approach and potential impact on architectural practices and public policies related to aging.
For more information, interviews, or access to the thesis, contact:
Susana Azevedo