A critical concern for society at the present time is the detrimental effects of human activity on the ecosystems. However, while there is raised awareness about issues such as global warming and the thinning ozone layer, humans still plan and develop the urban landscape from the perspective of the Cartesian worldview. This is also apparent in planning for the aging population. Although there is a large body of literature on population aging and sustainable urban development as well as a significant amount of material on aging and urban planning, the three issues of sustainability, urban planning and population aging are seldom addressed simultaneously. This thesis addresses the question of how sustainability planning principles can be integrated with planning for population aging. To this end, I investigate the underlying paradigms of both planning and the sociology of aging to gain an understanding of the values that underscore the policy directions in both these fields. I also review the literature on population aging, as well as housing and health service planning to highlight some needs, preferences and beliefs of the older population. Finally, I survey the literature on sustainable urban planning to elucidate some points of intersection between the needs and preferences of an aging population and the dominant principles underwriting a more sustainable lifestyle. The most significant themes arising from this investigation are the need for social and physical restructuring through changing paradigms. It is clear that older people are treated as a special group and have been segregated either covertly or overtly from mainstream society. Therefore, a change in values is required normalizing the older population within the societal structure. At the same time, traditional urban planning supports increasing consumption of material and energy resources leading to greater environmental degradation. Physical urban restructuring that reduces fossil fuel consumption and waste production will move society towards sustainability. Social ecology and ecological planning principles underwrite such social and ecological restructuring.

A critical concern for society at the present time is the detrimental effects of human activity on the ecosystems. However, while there is raised awareness about issues such as global warming and the thinning ozone layer, humans still plan and develop the urban landscape from the perspective of the Cartesian worldview. This is also apparent in planning for the aging population. Although there is a large body of literature on population aging and sustainable urban development as well as a significant amount of material on aging and urban planning, the three issues of sustainability, urban planning and population aging are seldom addressed simultaneously. This thesis addresses the question of how sustainability planning principles can be integrated with planning for population aging. To this end, I investigate the underlying paradigms of both planning and the sociology of aging to gain an understanding of the values that underscore the policy directions in both these fields. I also review the literature on population aging, as well as housing and health service planning to highlight some needs, preferences and beliefs of the older population. Finally, I survey the literature on sustainable urban planning to elucidate some points of intersection between the needs and preferences of an aging population and the dominant principles underwriting a more sustainable lifestyle. The most significant themes arising from this investigation are the need for social and physical restructuring through changing paradigms. It is clear that older people are treated as a special group and have been segregated either covertly or overtly from mainstream society. Therefore, a change in values is required normalizing the older population within the societal structure. At the same time, traditional urban planning supports increasing consumption of material and energy resources leading to greater environmental degradation. Physical urban restructuring that reduces fossil fuel consumption and waste production will move society towards sustainability. Social ecology and ecological planning principles underwrite such social and ecological restructuring. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

"Population aging" is a worldwide occurrence facing both developed and developing countries alike. In Canada, significant public policy issues arise with the increasing number and proportion of older persons. One of the most important of these is meeting the housing needs of the more than one million older persons facing housing decisions in the next three decades. The greatest challenge to all those involved in producing, financing or managing housing for older persons is to assist the majority of older persons in their desire to remain in the community as they age. The underlying premise of this explorative study is that older persons should and must be involved at all levels of planning current and future seniors' or retirement housing. The specific purpose of the thesis is to explore "collaborative planning" as a method of involving older persons in housing issues. The rationale for the participation of older persons is developed from the review of three areas of relevant literature. In contrast to the literature on "environment and aging" and gerontology, this study seeks an understanding of the broader social, political-economic forces as prerequisite to meaningful analysis of the lower levels of the housing context. This wider perspective also forms the basis for the rationale of including older persons in the planning process. A discussion of "participation" as a process and a movement provides an introduction to two case studies as examples of "collaborative planning" involving older persons and professionals in discussing seniors' or retirement housing. The thesis research question is: What do older persons view as their housing needs and preferences, and how successful is present seniors' or retirement housing in meeting these? The structure, format and objectives of the two case studies were framed within the thesis principles and assumptions in addition to this question. The case studies were assessed for their usefulness for defining housing needs and preferences of older persons, and for examining how closely these stated needs and preferences fit existing housing alternatives. The evaluation of the case studies revealed that collaborative planning took place, and that the stated objectives of each event and those of the sponsoring organization were met. The thesis assumptions and premises were thereby substantiated. The wide impact and numerous outcomes of the case studies within the seniors' communities were also noted. However, the research question was largely unanswered in terms of "product", and the analysis includes some possible explanations. Analysis of the case studies within the broader context indicated that older persons and professionals alike are in a "reactive" mode of thinking rather than creative or "proactive" in what they visualize as seniors' housing options. Entrenched thinking and attitudes are difficult to change, and as this study concludes, education of all involved is necessary. The greater necessity is, however, the need to personalize the issue of inadequate and unsuitable seniors' or retirement housing, so that change is seen as imperative to one's own future life as an older person. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Lam Siu Wah Wagner. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2000-2001, design report." / Includes bibliographical references. / Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.01 / Chapter 2 --- ISSUES --- p.03 / Chapter 2.1 --- Aging of Hong Kong Population --- p.03 / Chapter 2.2 --- Growing Old of Hong Kong Neighborhood --- p.05 / Chapter 2.3 --- Age Barrier --- p.09 / Chapter 3 --- ELDERLY NEEDS --- p.15 / Chapter 3.1 --- Social and Psychological Aspects --- p.15 / Chapter 3.2 --- Filling the Generation Gap --- p.16 / Chapter 3.3 --- Bridging the Elderly with the Society --- p.16 / Chapter 3.4 --- Cater for the Special Needs of Elderly --- p.17 / Chapter 3.5 --- Attachment to Place --- p.18 / Chapter 3.6 --- Physical Aspects - Special Design Details --- p.19 / Chapter 4 --- RESOURCES OF SERVING ELDERLY IN HONG KONG --- p.21 / Chapter 4.1 --- Elderly Housing --- p.21 / Chapter 4.2 --- Elderly Nursing Home --- p.34 / Chapter 4.3 --- Elderly Centre --- p.38 / Chapter 5 --- DEFICIENCY OF CURRENT SITUATION --- p.39 / Chapter 5.1 --- Segregation between Elderly People arid the other Age Groups --- p.39 / Chapter 5.2 --- Lack of Variety of Entertainment --- p.41 / Chapter 5.3 --- Non-continuous Community Care Service --- p.41 / Chapter 5.4 --- Dramatic Change of Living Environment --- p.42 / Chapter 6 --- OBJECTIVE OF THESIS --- p.43 / Chapter 7 --- CLIENT PROFILE --- p.44 / Chapter 8 --- SITE JUSTIFICATION --- p.45 / Chapter 8.1 --- Criteria --- p.45 / Chapter 8.2 --- Potential Sites and Assessment --- p.45 / Chapter 9 --- SITE ANALYSIS --- p.51 / Chapter 9.1 --- Historical Significant and Projection --- p.51 / Chapter 9.2 --- Context --- p.55 / Chapter 9.3 --- Human Factors --- p.63 / Chapter 9.4 --- Opportunities and Contraints --- p.67 / Chapter 10 --- PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONCEPT --- p.76 / Chapter 10.1 --- Crossing of Programmes --- p.76 / Chapter 10.2 --- Strolling Walkway --- p.77 / Chapter 10.3 --- Combination of Old and New --- p.79 / Chapter 11 --- PROGRAMMES --- p.83 / Chapter 11.1 --- Observation in Specific Facilities and Provision --- p.83 / Chapter 11.2 --- Cornbination of Programmes --- p.87 / Chapter 11.3 --- Bubble Diagram --- p.92 / Chapter 11.4 --- Scheduie of Accommodation --- p.93 / Chapter 12 --- Appendix --- p.95 / Chapter 12.1 --- interview Report --- p.95 / Chapter 12.2 --- Bibliography --- p.95

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning