Re-think high density living for boomers
Eleven days ago, Edmiston Jones a Foundation hosted a cross-section development community to consid living for seniors exploring the collid ageing population with increasing u
An open foru and, using a ‘ then circulate questions rai were reported
and IRT n of Wollongong’s der high density ding trends of an urbanisation.
um teased out a number of topics ‘world cafe’ format, participants ed to interrogate a selection of the ised. After robust discussion, results d back to the reconvened group.
Place matters and it matters more in old age then any other stage of life. Here is a word cloud that represents our collective thoughts at the event. We plan to reconvene in the near future to discuss strategy and vision for place.
Hou$ing affordab “A small footprint in a big lifestyle�
Size matters. Small is beautiful.
Intergenerational living. Vertical communities; integrated services. Shared housing – older and younger – intentional community. How to sell. Density is the key.
100,000 MORE people aged over 65 by 2026.
Demand for medium to high density seniors’ living in the heart of our CBDs is rising.
bility
Opportunity to develop more affordable inner-city accommodation for both new workers and retirees: - Diversified accommodation - For multi-generational families
Staying at home to afford the asset. Back to the workforce part-time.
Free up suburban capital & reduce rates.
Innovative financing.
Alternative construction – Prefab.
Retrofitting for sustainability. Boomers are living longer – Cash pool needs to last longer.
Downsize the commercial part of CBD, tighten the area, expand residential. High density around train stations.
Expand the free bus service.
How do we shift the “Great Aussie Dream”? Get the scale right. Liveability / rules.
Invest in good design.
Development costs. Best practice examples.
Selfdetermin “Respect my rights and meet my needs”
Pet friendly. Balance.
Keeping dogs well.
How to co-habit.
Exercise.
Design a pet friendly community so others can look after that pet within the community: - Mad Paws - Cat Cafes in Melbourne and Sydney
New relationships.
Density is the key.
Housing that caters for people with unique needs
Diversified accommodation.
Companion pets.
nation
Control.
Choice.
Traditional villas with a garden . Those days are gone.
At IRT William Beach Gardens we’ve built Australia’s first community designed specifically for ageing people with intellectual disability and their primary carers.
Walking dogs.
Enhances socialisation.
New conversations.
Entertaining and accommodating family and friends.
“Enjoy the sun”
New consumer demands.
Gated over 55s communities are a thing of the past.
The more older Australians we can support to live at home independently for longer, the better... for them and for us.
In-home care services. Alliance to reduce barriers to active ageing. For multi-generational families.
Age-friendly interconnected built and natural environments. Pet friendly.
Reduces loneliness.
Private versus semi-private versus public space.
Baby boomers’ expectations.
ib
ex
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Fl
desig “The solution is not always a building”
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Alternative housing.
What is preventing alternative models?
Houses designed for a purpose, what happens when needs change? (eg. intergenerational).
Australians are not multi-generational living society.
Within these new high-rise seniors’ apartments of the future, we may see older Australia’s share-housing with younger Australians... or a group of seniors’ share housing together. This is called an ‘intentional community’ and provides an instant support network and more efficient service delivery to the one location.
Design with groups in mind.
Student housing – can we adapt it to senior living?
We are becoming more private – less public.
Chinese model – Zoning for residential / retirement refurbishment.
Education for sharing spaces.
Planning laws need to follow in flexibility.
Shared / communal spaces inside the concept. Vertical communities; integrated services: Access In-Home Care services as their needs change (breaks the link between the accommodation and care provider(s)).
Intergenerational living as opposed to selfish living patterns.
Boomers used to getting own their own way. Engineering to make building flexible – changeable in the future.
“Smart houses”
Broader than a built solution. Place matters.
Private VS Public: - Increase sharing of amenity - Laundry - Coffee - Dining
Housing older Australians in a safe, connected environment is one of the hallmarks of an age-friendly city, as determined by the World Health Organization in collaboration with Dr. Alexandre Kalache, a world leading authority on ageing.
Apartment for life.
Technology will play an increasing role in enabling people to stay in their own homes for longer.
Safe, connected environments.
In designing and building the seniors’ housing of the future, I challenge you to go beyond the brief, and seek to drive agefriendly design in more buildings and public spaces. A truly social, connected lifestyle for older Australians can only be possible when age-friendly design outcomes exist beyond our front door.
We look forward to you comments and engage Thanks for attending an demonstrating the “wis the crowd�. We would love your co participation in authori charter for ageless livin
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