Examining the Relationship Elderly Community Care and Urban High-Rise Residential Development-Based on Theory, Research Literature, and In-Depth Interviews

Elderly community care is directly affected by a neighborhood’s design. The impact is noticeable in social activities and community interactions that take place within a housing environment. Rather than relying solely on costly nursing homes or elderly assisted living facilities, alternatives are needed to better accommodate the rapidly aging population. Urban development projects are beneficial to some residents, but other community members especially the elderly end up being involuntarily displaced; this results in a dismantling of the social structure within a local community. These high-rise developments have distanced the elderly, both horizontally and vertically, from community areas where relational connections are lost, feeling a sense of ownership is nonexistent and awkward social encounters with unfamiliar faces is abundant. Therefore, gated communities of high-rise apartments need significant modifications to better support the elderly in transitioning and experiencing a shared space with inclusive social activities for a more sustainable urban housing environment. Supporting social activities through housing design for community and community care was discussed.