The We Society S9 Ep2: Saving the 86 bus and designing better cities for the old and young with Tine Buffell and Julia King
Oct 8, 2025
Join Professor Tine Buffel, an expert in age-friendly cities, and Dr. Julia King, a dynamic architect focused on youth engagement, as they tackle how urban design can better serve older people and young women. They discuss the decline of youth spaces and the physical barriers older individuals face in cities. Participatory design is highlighted as a crucial method to rebuild community trust. Tine shares her successful campaign to restore the 86A bus service with local seniors, while Julia emphasizes the need for safe public spaces for girls.
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Cities Aren't Age-Friendly By Default
- Cities were never designed with ageing in mind, so urban environments often exclude older people through physical and social barriers.
- Tine Buffel highlights stops too far from homes, lack of seating, toilets, unsafe crossings and loss of social infrastructure as core problems.
Youth Spaces Have Shrunk Dramatically
- Youth provision has halved since 2010 and 4,500 youth workers have been lost, shrinking public space for teens.
- Julia King reports that most remaining teen spaces are dominated by boys, with 92% usage by young men and boys.
Perception Of Safety Limits Women's Use Of Space
- Fear of sexualisation and unsafe dark hours prevents young women from using public spaces even when facilities exist.
- Julia King says the single biggest barrier is perceived safety and presence of other people makes women feel safer.
