Abstract
Understanding elderly users’ needs in participatory design is challenging due to limitations in comprehension, adaptability
to new information, and patience. Field interviewers must also collect diverse data within constrained timeframes while
ensuring effective communication. Collaborative design involving diverse stakeholders has gained attention in architecture,
but end-user participation, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly, remains limited, especially in public housing
projects. To address this, a communication-enhancing tool was developed to facilitate elderly individuals' involvement in
planning, design, evaluation, operation, and residence decision-making processes. The tool, a mobile application, supports
efficient data collection during field interviews by offering content compatibility, flexibility, and user-friendliness. It enables
investigators to present information and record responses, including voice, behavior, and text, while effectively bridging
communication gaps for respondents with limited social skills. The application’s functionality and content were validated
by a panel of 10 field interviewers through virtual testing. Positive feedback highlighted its appropriateness, ease of use, and
utility (scoring 70–90%) and the relevance of its simulation content (scoring 80–90%). This tool empowers interviewers to
support elderly users in actively participating in public housing planning processes, improving stakeholder communication
and promoting sustainable solutions. By integrating advanced technologies and fostering inclusion, the study contributes to
addressing societal challenges in aging urban environments, particularly in South Korea and Asia.
