Places that Support Human Flourishing: Lessons from Later Life

Abstract

This review paper contends that by paying attention to the quality of life issues raised by older people, planners may promote better places for all. Recent research in the UK that asked older people to identify quality of life criteria revealed that health, income, social networks, community participation, information, activities, home, neighbourhood and mobility are key areas where old age can be enriched. The paper argues that of these, home, neighbourhood and mobility are paramount for four reasons. Firstly, older people are seen as situated, even fixed, in domestic environments; secondly, society has responded to later life by creating age-segregated spaces; thirdly, lessening mobility may increase the importance of the local arena and fourthly the interplay between the self and the environment underpins or undermines independence. The significance of place means that planners, even more than other professionals, need to be age aware. Drawing on recent national and international research this paper contemplates what a more age-friendly place might be like and considers how issues of age can interact with the broader planning agendas of sustainability, cohesion and liveability to create places that promote well-being for every member of the community.

Keywords:

• Older people
• quality of life
• place
• social dimensions of planning
• liveability

Notes

1. There is a debate currently in the UK about whether breast feeding should be more tolerated in public places.

2. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's leading research funding and training agency addressing economic and social concerns. It aims to provide high quality research on issues of importance to business, the public sector and government.

3. Decent Homes standard is a new measure of adequacy in housing replacing the now outmoded fitness standard. To reach Decent Homes standard a dwelling must be warm, weatherproof and reasonably up to date in terms of food preparation areas and bathroom facilities.

4. In rural areas when an older person crosses a local authority boundary they may be charged full fare, half fare, a child's fare or no fare at all. In April 2008 it is likely that free nationwide bus travel will be introduced that will end these anomalies (Age Concern, 2007a, p. 113).