The Housing Experiment 2021

In order to live independent and active lives, we need housing that is designed to meet our needs. This is particularly important for older people and those with disabilities. But how accessible is Sweden’s housing for older people? Between September-November 2021 school pupils, teachers and senior citizens across Sweden helped researchers at Lund University to find out. The Housing Experiment is a mass experiment that was organised as part of ForskarFredag 2021, Sweden’s European Researchers’ Night. 

Using a ruler (or measuring tape) and a special mobile app, participants measured how accessible Sweden’s homes are. How wide are the doorways? How high are the thresholds? Are the taps difficult to turn on? Researchers need help to investigate these and other questions.

Further information

ForskarFredag’s mass experiment, the Housing Experiment, is a collaboration between the Center for Ageing and Supportive Environments (CASE), a research centre at Lund University, the pensioners’ associations SPF Seniorerna i Skåne and PRO Skåne and the non-profit organisation VA (Public & Science) that coordinates ForskarFredag (Researchers’ Night in Sweden). The pensioners’ associations SPF Seniors, PRO and SKPF  are also supporting the project at a national level.

The Housing Experiment is an example of citizen science and is funded by Forte, the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, and the European Commission under Grant Agreement 101036199 in the framework of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions.

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Sustainable Development Goals

The Housing Experiments contributes to;

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities via target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanisation and target 11B: Implement strategies for inclusion, resource efficiency and resilience to disasters. 

And Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Read more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals.