Towards Lifetime Neighbourhoods: Designing sustainable communities for all

Many of us are aware that we live in an ageing society. But, as commentators have observed, the impact of these changes is often narrowly framed within a specialist, welfare, health or social care-based perspective. It is unusual for us to consider how neighbourhoods should respond to older people’s experiences in the wider, ‘day-to-day’ built environment, for example, the use of public transport, access to shops, amenities and leisure space, their perception of security, neighbourhood and place, and the desire to congregate, socialize and participate. This discussion paper looks at what is involved in creating a lifetime neighbourhood. This paper was produced as part of the development work behind the forthcoming UK National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society.