There is a stark difference between retirement and residential buildings and planners need to recognise the importance of age-friendly communities, and the role they play in supporting the health and wellbeing of the nation’s ageing population, according to new research.
“Retirement village residents have distinct requirements, and you can see it through the size of apartments and the extent of community facilities included in these developments,” said Dr Lois C Towart, from the School of Built Environment Research Centre (CiRi) at the University of Technology Sydney.
“Prospective and current retirement village residents are looking for design outcomes that appeal to older people looking for their forever home.
“Retirement villages provide living areas, bathrooms and kitchens that are designed to be accessible for older people. They also have extensive community facilities that give residents the opportunity for social interaction, health and wellness.”
Dr Towart said residents in general residential developments are not demanding community facilities for meaningful social interaction with others in the building.
Ben Myers, Retirement Living Council Executive Director, said high competition for residential land is causing headaches for retirement village developers.
“Without planning schemes that encourage age-friendly communities, it’s tough to find suitable and affordable land for retirement villages,” he said.
“Retirement village operators often have to take significant financial risks to navigate long and uncertain planning approval processes. This means the supply of purpose-built agefriendly communities is not keeping pace with the growth in the number of older Australians.”
Is it time then for our Councils and State Planners to give more thought to where people want to age?
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