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Planning for healthy ageing: how the use of third places contributes to the social health of older populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2018

SARA ALIDOUST ,
CARYL BOSMAN  and
GORDON HOLDEN
SARA ALIDOUST*
Affiliation:
Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
CARYL BOSMAN
Affiliation:
School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
GORDON HOLDEN
Affiliation:
Architecture, School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
*
Address for correspondence: Sara Alidoust, Griffith School of Environment, Nathan Campus, Kessels Road, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia E-mail: sara.alidoust@griffithuni.edu.au
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Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on creating age-friendly cities to accommodate the changing needs of older people and to promote their overall health and wellbeing. This paper focuses on some of the urban planning implications related to maintaining the social health, as a main component of overall health and wellbeing, of older people. Specifically, we look at the role and accessibility of third places (popular public places where many people go to socialise) in relation to older people living in different neighbourhood built-form patterns, and how these factors impact on the formation of absent, weak and strong social ties. The data draw upon interviews with 54 older people living in different neighbourhood built-form patterns on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Our findings demonstrate the significant role third places have in affording older people opportunities to engage in the social lives of their local communities, thus contributing to their social health and overall wellbeing. This research supports previous studies relating to the accessibility of amenities by re-emphasising the importance of planning for the provision of third places that are conveniently located and easily accessible by older people. The paper concludes by arguing for the planning of transport and third-place interventions in Australia's sprawling suburban landscapes to allow older people more opportunities to be socially connected.

Keywords

urban planningaccessibilitythird placesocial lifeneighbourhoodageing population
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 39 , Issue 7 , July 2019 , pp. 1459 - 1484
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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