In Los Angeles, expansive asphalt parking lots often dominate urban landscapes, creating hazards and barriers for seniors. Interim dean and urban planning professor at UCLA Luskin Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris has spearheaded research to reimagine these spaces as safe, accessible and welcoming environments for older adults. Her team’s study emphasizes that walkability, clear pathways, rest points, shaded areas and human assistance at gates or pay stations are critical to creating senior-friendly parking environments.

As detailed in the CityWatch LA article, Loukaitou-Sideris and her interdisciplinary team of urban designers, planners, and gerontologists translated these findings into actionable designs, culminating in projects like Golden Age Park in Westlake. Here, garden beds are raised for easy access, pathways are stumble proof and low-impact exercise stations encourage strength and mobility. The design draws from a toolkit called “Placemaking for an Aging Population,” developed under her leadership to guide the conversion of underused urban lots into vibrant community spaces.

Her work highlights shows how thoughtful planning can turn even small parcels of land into urban oases that support community well-being.