A group of faculty members and students from the National Institute of Technology Calicut have completed preliminary research and survey works to transform Kozhikode into an elderly-friendly city. The departments of Architecture and Planning and Mechanical Engineering of the Institute have already presented their innovations and study reports to the City Corporation to support their initiative to transform the city into a better place for senior citizens.

“Our team is always ready to collaborate with the local bodies for the welfare of the society,” said Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NITC. Senior citizens deserve better living ambience at home and in public places and we are happy to contribute to their welfare, he said.

Students from the Department of Architecture and Planning have also conducted surveys in different parts of the city to assess the facilities available and the requirements for senior citizens. They also interacted with the elderly persons visiting the places to list out the problems they face and suggestions for improvement. The initiative was coordinated by Dr. Jose Mathew, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Chairperson, Centre for Industry - Institutional Relations (CIIR) for NIT Calicut. 

The study was conducted at Mofussil bus stand, Palayam, Valiyangadi Court Complex, Nadakavu, Malaparamba and Medical College, said Dr. Chithra K & Dr Amritha P K of Department of Architecture and Planning, NIT Calicut. The study was conducted by the final year B Arch students and they have prepared a report based on their study, she added.

The study report suggests to construct elderly-friendly/disabled friendly footpaths, bus stops and toilets in public places. Kind store, a free medicine and other supplies store to help the elderly community is also proposed by the students.

“As per the project, people can volunteer to sponsor medicines and other essential items to the kind store,” said Dr Chithra. 

Apart from the Department of Architecture and Planning, the Department of Mechanical Engineering is also part of the initiative. A team including Dr A P Sudheer & Dr K Ratnakumar carrying out research in the area presented elderly-friendly/disabled friendly furniture including, a patient transfers assistive device, an adjustable bed for physically challenged people, and disabled-friendly kitchen models etc. for the consideration of the city corporation. 

Besides, the team also suggested the importance of transforming homes into elderly-friendly to help them ageing in place. The team from NITC has also suggested the need for introducing voice-assisted smart devices and fall detection lights in homes to ensure the safety of senior citizens. Even slight changes in the interior, including clutter-free living space and non-slippery tiles can ensure comfort to aged persons, said Dr Chithra. We have submitted a proposal to the City Corporation and are ready to conduct further studies in the area, she added.

Media Reports

• NIT-C study suggests elderly-friendly public amenities - The Hindu

• NIT-C corp moot senior citizen-friendly amenities - The New Indian Express

• വയോജന സൗഹൃദ കോഴിക്കോടിനായി എൻ ഐ ടിയും കോർപ്പറേഷനും കൈകോർക്കുന്നു - Mathrubhumi

• വയോജന സൗഹൃദ കോഴിക്കോട്; എൻ ഐ ടി പഠന റിപ്പോർട്ട് സമർപ്പിച്ചു - Deshabhimani