A Caring Place

Abstract

Globally, societies are seeing a long-term rise in the older adult population; by 2050 one in every four persons will be 60 years old or older. For the first time in human history, there will be more senior people than children in the population (WHO, 2018). In the Netherlands, the grey pressure was 34% in 2021. According to population predictions, this will rise to over 50% in the next thirty years (CBS, 2021). The numbers of solo dwellers; solo-dwelling elderly; and people living in cities, especially cities with populations under five million, will also increase (WHO, 2018). However, most city neighbourhoods do not suit contemporary lifespan demands, since they were largely constructed for youthful, typically abled individuals (BHSc, 2021).

With age segregation, social isolation, and loneliness being identified as major social issues, how can architects adapt and improve cities to combat these challenges? How can environments be created that are more ‘age-inclusive’? And is there a design proposal that would be more sensitive to the changing population's demands? Meaningful intergenerational relationships are fundamental social structures that benefit people of all ages (BHSc, 2021). Therefore, I propose a study for intergenerational housing that serves as one of the potential solutions in the context of these changing demographics.

To create a residential neighbourhood where one may live throughout many life stages while being valued as an individual, I have created research and design questions to take the first steps toward developing a ‘caring place’.