Regenerating social space to support the elderly : create an age-friendly, sociable and supportive housing environment for the ageing population

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: How can a new approach to the housing development provide a better prospect for the fast-growing ageing population in New Zealand, by designing an age-friendly, sociable and supportive environment for its inhabitants?

ABSTRACT: The population structure of New Zealand is going to encounter a dramatic change in the next few decades. As a result of the longer life expectancy and the declining fertility, the latest projection indicates that by 2050, approximately a quarter of the population will be aged 65 and over. By that time, Auckland will have the largest number of the ageing population amongst other regions.

Nowadays, in many western societies including New Zealand, most of the elderly desire to age in their own homes and communities instead of entering traditional rest homes that often evoke the negative social perceptions, such as accepting of being dependent, frail and socially segregated. Nevertheless, despite the prevalence of “ageing in place”, the issues of loneliness and social isolation are still widespread amongst the elderly. The issues are notable and worthy of attention, not merely because loneliness and social isolation are painful, but also many scientific studies have proven that lack of social interaction can be harmful to one’s mental and physical health.

As a unique discipline, architecture has its role and social responsibility to criticise and improve the existing housing typologies for the communities, as well as providing innovative design solutions that accommodate the challenges from the fast-growing ageing population. Thus, this project began with two fundamental questions: What is the missing piece if the ways of housing the elderly in New Zealand remains unexplored by architects and the design professionals? Second, how do we reduce the level of loneliness amongst the elderly and enrich their social life through architectural designs? Accordingly, this project evaluates how architecture can contribute to these issues and accommodate the social needs of the elderly, as well as investigating the opportunities in redesigning an alternative housing development that allows the elderly residents to stay within an age-friendly, sociable and supportive environment.

SITE: Address: 65-67 Carlton Gore Road, 102-104 Park Road, Grafton 1023