The importance of neighborhood environment in visualizing aging in place in Hong Kong

Abstract

Aging is a universal problem that has to be recognized and formally addressed. The investigating of innovative opportunities and ideas in the building of a community that could cater the needs of elderly community is in immediate need. Planning for the aged, not just quantitatively, but qualitatively, is therefore on the top of the political agenda.

Hong Kong is facing challenges resulted from an aging demographic population structure. Rapid rate of aging of the population implies addressing retirement needs is going to be a big challenge for government to tackle. Government needs to prepare and plan to provide sufficient service for the growing elderly population. The assessment of the current policies is in need now in order to formulate a strategic and comprehensive plan to allow aging in place.

Aging in place requires policies and programs provided on the ground of comprehensive understanding of the aging processes and contexts. While existing programs tends to focus on physical aspect, it is important to evaluate aging within the context of neighborhood as an important place of aging. To break through from the current planning framework to provide for the aged, there is a need to rethink the possibility of employing community planning framework to better engage different stakeholders through local planning initiatives. This study attempts at brainstorming and suggesting possibility in amending existing planning and policies to cater for the changing demography. The interest of the study is to explore the role of public life in facilitating healthy aging. In addition, evaluate the role of neighborhood as important physical and social places which contributes to well being of older people.